Duotone’s team shoot in Dakhla was certainly an all-star affair, with contemporary top guns such as Tom & Aleks Acherer, Rocco Sotomayor, Mar de Arce, Nia Suardiaz, Charlie Loch, Stefan Spiessberger and Benjamin May all in attendance. And with a talented media crew on hand as well, the results shown here could have spoken for themselves. But we thought we’d complement the shots with a little trip diary from Benjamin.
Photos: Samuel Cárdenas
We landed in Dakhla with high expectations and a pretty good wind forecast. Our first stop: Hotel La Crique – a stunning hotel located in a crescent-shaped bay tucked between sand and rocks. The perfect place to shake off the travel dust and warm up on the water.
The early morning light painted the water gold, and even though the energy was still a little subdued, the vibe was pretty strong. You could feel it – the unspoken anticipation, boards being rigged, wings unrolled, waxes compared, straps adjusted. Nia and Mar were quietly smiling to themselves, already eyeing the little chop near the point for their first freestyle hits. Meanwhile, the twins – Tom and Aleks – were in full tech-mode, adjusting their gear down to the last millimeter and were the first ones on water.
The session turned into more than just a test run. Charlie was playing with some stylish grabs, Rocco was boosting with relaxed Italian ease, and I was chasing heights – my favorite. We gave the camera crew (Samuel Cárdenas on photos and Julien Leleu on film) more than a few “wait, did they just land that?” moments. What was meant to be a warm-up felt like the first chapter of something much bigger.
The second day of our trip we stayed in La Crique Bay to make the most of it. Another morning where the wind was already whispering at dawn, and the sun climbs slow, covering the lagoon in gold. You don't need coffee to wake up when your view is this epic.
The water was almost glassy – a rare thing in Dakhla. Every rider was in their zone. Charlie and the twins were syncing their loops almost telepathically, while Nia and Mar floated through their moves with signature style. The camera crew’s mantra became, “Just one more time!” – not because shots were missed, but because no one wanted to stop and both are perfectionists.
By the afternoon, we shifted gears. The light softened, and we moved closer to shore for a more lifestyle-driven session. Rocco and Mar were caught in candid laughter during a break. Someone started a mini dance battle on the beach – these were the moments that weren’t planned but became some of the most memorable and team building.
💎 Premium Content Ahead! 💎
*You will receive our weekly Friday Pump newsletter, plus the latest features, gear tests and giveaway announcements.
Day Three was a split mission – and a wild one. Waves are rare in Dakhla, and the forecast was good, so we needed to go! One crew headed north to Westpoint: Stefan, Rocco, Nia, Mar, and myself. A classic surf spot with solid swell and clean lines. The waves were rolling in like a machine – not huge, but with enough punch to get the adrenaline pumping. Nia charged some solid sets; Rocco found his rhythm (based out of Lake Garda, he was a surf-newbie) and Mar scored one of the cleanest rides of the day. Every take was full power and for sure a lot of fun.
Meanwhile, further south, Charlie and the twins searched for a secret spot – a wild bay famous for raw energy and unpredictable peaks. Luck was on their side, with a two-meter swell, 14-second period with kickers. The dream. Tom and Aleks went all-in on their double backflips, and after a few wipeouts, they nailed them – clean, controlled, and with perfect light hitting the spray. The cheers from the film crew echoed over the wind.
Different places, different styles, same stoke.
“Another morning where the wind was already whispering at dawn, and the sun climbs slow, covering the lagoon in gold.”
We started early again – this time with synchronized chaos. At the PK25 hotel, the plan was to get some synchro jumps and slow-motion tricks. Aleks and Tom took on the timing challenge, and after a few misfires, they were spinning in sync like mirrored dancers.
But the real magic came later in front of Dragon Island. As the tide rose and the sandbanks slowly disappeared under a sheet of water, the entire landscape shifted. The riders glided over inches of water, their shadows flickering just beneath the surface. We had a boat with the crew weaving in and out, camera lenses just above the ripples. It felt cinematic.
Tom tried a one-foot grab that had the crew holding their breath. Nia followed with her own variation, all poise and precision. Rocco and Mar choreographed a sort of synchro routine, playing with angles, speed, and light. And me? I floated through the scene like a bird, with harness tweaks and all. It was one of those sessions where no one wanted to be the first to call it. Not because of the light or the swell – but because it was simply too good to end.
The last day slowed everything down.
The focus shifted – less on action, more on the people. After four intense days of shooting, we had some good shots already. We captured hands taping boards, eyes squinting into the wind, laughter behind lens hoods. These weren’t the big airs or epic drops – these were the quiet moments that give a project heart.
We also went to explore the dunes and found some camels and the most stunning sunset. Memories you won´t forget. This was the spirit of the trip – not just pushing limits, but showing up for each other, celebrating the simple, shared love for the sport.
Looking back, this wasn’t a regular shoot. It felt like a five-day ride through what it is that makes wingfoiling so special – adventure, creativity, connection. It was great to spend some time together with my teammates, media crew and Stefan Spiessberger and Karin Gertenbach from Duotone. Morocco gave us the canvas. The wind and waves painted the lines. But the real color came from the crew – who made it something real. We came for the action, but we left left with stories. And that’s what sticks.
Jack came to our attention around the release of our last issue, where we were tagged in a Reel highlighting his surprise appearance in a Foil Drive ad. A little further digging from us and we realized Jack is quite an inspirational young chap...
READ MORE
The Western Australia surf-foil scene is in it's boom, and here's a little write up from the latest comp: Great Southern Foil Fest.
READ MORE
Offering his industry-level-insight into where the sport of foiling is likely to find itself in the coming years is Eleveight Co-founder and Sales Manager, Phil Martin…
READ MORE
