Weapon of Choice: Starboard VIVA

No stranger to the podium, Benoit Carpentier is a seasoned and successful competitor who has finely tuned what he rides in and out of competition. With the arrival of the new VIVA wing, he might have found a wing that covers everything…

Photos Kilian Burac

RIDER Benoit Carpentier

Weapon Starboard VIVA

 Rider Height 178cm

Rider Weight 74kg

I've been riding the VIVA for four months now, in many different conditions and it's been going well. It has a really huge range of use.

I look for a wing that is well balanced, stable, lightweight, and of course durable, that can handle some big wipeouts and a few waves. One of the most important factors is having a wing that can adapt to any condition, with a large range of use, that I can ride in light winds but also handles big gusts without losing control. All of this is present in the VIVA. 

My setup really depends on the mood of the day and the conditions. I'm always adapting, but when the waves are firing, I'm on my competition setup which is the Take Off Carbon 55L paired with the VIVA wing and Starboard Foils 88cm Solid Core Carbon mast, with the 625 Fusion front wing and BC155 tail wing, with a positive 1.5-degree shim in the front for more re-pop and front foot feel.

My favorite everyday setup is the VIVA with the Glider 3 750 paired with the BC155 long fuse, with my 88cm Solid Core and Above 73L board. I love that setup! These new foils are insane, with more performance than the previous version but still the same accessibility as the older versions, thanks to the camber profile for the magic low end. I’m happy to have helped work on that one!

Being so light, the maneuverability of the VIVA in the air was really impressive. It just feels like you don't have a very big wing in your hand! The design is so good and I really like the blue colorway. I also love how ergonomic the Carbon Pistol Grip boom is, with a great diameter and finish, the same as the rest of the product. Starboard signature quality. 

I’ll reach for the VIVA in any conditions. It really is a weapon for anything. You can only have one in your quiver that covers a lot of wind range with all the highlights that you need to enjoy and perform any discipline. 

It has been great to be a part of the R&D side of the brand for a few years, giving my feedback as a professional rider. I've been learning a lot from it, and being involved in the REACTOR wing tests has been a great opportunity but also a challenge. You need to be really precise on the feedback and be clear in your mind exactly what it is you’re feeding back. It's a different job, and I really enjoy it. 

The VIVA has just been a constant lately, and I had some crazy sessions on it, especially conditions with 1.5m waves in crystal blue water, about as good as it gets! I did post a few clips on my socials about that session if you want to check it out. Boosting some off-the-lip airs is the most satisfying thing in wingfoiling for me.