For the uninitiated, eFoils are the next big water sport in surf culture. It originally started with the surfboard, then the hydrofoil, and into the electric surfboard the eFoil.
Learning how to eFoil is much different compared to traditional surfing and other board sports. Very few surfboards have electric motors strapped to the back of them!
eFoils are a carbon fiber electric surfboard powered by a lithium ion battery with a propeller strapped to the foil at bottom. The foil is propelled by an electric motor strapped to the wings.
The great thing about eFoil boards is that they can catch even the smallest waves that surfers can’t stand up on in the ocean. These boards can speed around the lineup without the need to paddle the board around.
Why do eFoil cost so much?
Price is a huge concern for riders and we don’t blame them. The eFoil market is a water sport market made of kings. We also wrote more about why eFoil models can be hefty in price and some alternative ways to afford your efoil.
Nothing is cheap when it comes to eFoils and here are a few reasons why the price is so expensive:
- Precision machined
- Inflation adds to the cost of materials
- Foil designs change frequently
- Supply & demand
The best efoils can cost up to $12,000, that’s the price to pay to ride waves on the sickest foil from Lift Foils.
How does an eFoil work?
eFoils are powered by lithium ion batteries with an electric motor mounted on hydrofoil cables. Motors use thrusters, which push the foil forward to generate lift and thrust.
eFoils are essentially electric surfboards propelled by an electric propeller right above its wing giving it the lift and causing the foil to fly above the water.
We wrote more about this, here.
eFoil Wings
An eFoil’s wing are located at the bottom. eFoils have two wings: front and back.
The wing’s shape determines the eFoil board’s performance, stability, performance, and max speed too.
Bigger wing = more lift and stability
Smaller wing = less stability but faster and more thrust.
Typically, advanced users prefer smaller wings. We wrote more about the wing and how eFoils work here.
eFoil Board
The efoil board is made out of carbon fiber, a lighter but durable material.
When selecting the right eFoil board size you need to consider your weight board size, fitness, and skill.
Beginner riders ought to try larger boards until they get the hang of eFoiling. The same can be said for heavier riders because it can float them better.
Meanwhile, experienced surfers and riders can use smaller boards instead for more agile turns and maneuvers. Lighter riders can get away with smaller boards as well.
Remember: When you go for your first test ride, start on your knees and work your way up!
Handheld wireless remote
The rider uses a Bluetooth wireless remote control to control the speeds of the eFoil board.
Rather than paddling for waves you just pull the trigger and the rider can surf waves all day long. The handheld remote comes with your eFoil but it can be expensive to replace, sometimes $250!
eFoils use a Lithium ion battery
In this new niche of water sports, you use a rechargeable efoil battery to ride and glide instead of paddling. eFoil batteries can cost anywhere from $2,500- $3,500 brand new.
The battery can last anywhere from to 1.5 to 2.5 hrs of ride time on a single charge. Lift foils typically take about 20-30 minutes to recharge the lithium ion battery alone. However, if you’re ripping around at max speed that will drain the battery of the foil as well.
So be mindful of how fast you’re going to maximize your ride time on your eFoil ride. If you’re 10% on battery, it’s time to head in and recharge your battery.
Trust us getting stuck with no battery left SUCKS!
How Hard Is It to Ride an eFoil?
It depends.
At first, riding an eFoil can be difficult for your ride but it’s not impossible depending on skill level, fitness, balance, and experience surfing. The remote control controls how the board accelerates so you must be mindful of this when slowing down and losing momentum.
New riders should begin to ride their board at low speed on their knees to get comfortable. Once you have enough ride time on your knees you can begin to stand up. It’s okay if you don’t have the stability to stand, plenty of people who ride on their knees have a great time.
Most riders who master eFoiling succeed because they don’t give up and continue to learn.
Is riding an eFoil like surfing?
Yes and no. The efoil experience is more nuanced than regular surfing. It’s a motorized watercraft after all. Of course it’s going to be much different. We’ve seen a rider or two compare eFoiling more to snowboarding than surfing.
While surfing definitely helps raise your eFoil skill levels as a rider, it’s not necessary in order to have a good time. As someone who’s been surfing since I was 10 I’d say riding an eFoil is easier to learn than surfing.
Is it hard to ride waves on an eFoil?
For a beginner rider, it could be challenging to ride waves on an eFoil.
Again, it depends. If you’re experienced on an eFoil you should be able to ride waves pretty easily on an eFoil. You just need to be careful about others in the lineup and mind your speed.
What Are the Necessary Safety Precautions for Riding an eFoil?
Although the basics of eFoiling may be easily understood by beginners, and can easily navigate through waters and the sky, eFoiling offers many safety precautions.
The propeller can be a hazard as well. It’s important to eFoil in deep enough water so the propeller doesn’t hit the bottom or any obstructions
So if you surf ocean waves you know how if you hit your fins on the bottom it can be bad news. With an eFoil board, you have much less margin for error since the foil goes much deeper below than regular fins.
Is eFoiling dangerous?
eFoiling can be dangerous if you’re not careful with your board and wing. If the wings hit you or someone else at high speeds it can hurt
Most eFoil models can be turned off by the controller trigger when the controller is triggered or when the controller touches the water.
Experts recommend utilizing protective equipment to prevent injuries while using electronic foil. It’s always best to exercise caution and follow safety protocols to have a safe efoil experience when you fly on the water.
How fast can eFoil boards go?
eFoils can get to top speed in as little as 20 seconds and ride as fast as 25-30mph. It can vary based on the dimensions of the board and eFoil. For most major brands, the max speed is considered 28mph.
It’s projected that newer eFoil models can go at faster speeds, some may even reach speeds of 40mph one day. Now that would be peak performance on par with a personal watercraft.
Technically, yes. An eFoil board is considered a personal watercraft.
However, it’s not like jet skis where you need a boater’s license in order to operate one, at least at the time of writing. With eFoils surging in popularity and eFoils are getting faster and with more power this could change.
Thanks for Reading
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