Five Best Spots to eFoil in the United States

The five best spots for efoil beginners, learning how to eFoil are where the waters are calm and the winds are mellow.

We’ve narrowed the list down to these five best spots in the United States for YOU to learn how to eFoil:

• United States Virgin Islands
• Hawaii
• Salt Lake City Utah
• Puerto Rico
• Southern California

Remember: We always recommend taking advantage of Lift Foils vast network and booking a demo or lesson through their qualified retailers and resellers.

Foiling isn’t always about the location, it’s about having fun and enjoying these fast action water sports.

What Makes a “Good” Beginner eFoiling Spot?

When learning how to ride an eFoil we recommend riders to seek calm waters. 

It’s also a good idea to stick with warmer climates. Riding with a thick wetsuit may be a difficult endeavor and adds weight. Plus who doesn’t want to ride their eFoil in board shorts?

Ideally, eFoil riders should seek calmer water like lakes or bays. It’s best to go on a day with light winds and if there’s any swell make sure the period of the swell is long enough.

If you’re a more seasoned and salty surfer you can try your boards in some places with more swell and chop. It’s worth noting that jetboards typically perform better in chop than hydrofoils.

Where to eFoil in the United States?

If you’re new to eFoiling and looking for the perfect place to try it out, the United States has plenty of diverse options to suit your preferences.

 From coast to coast (and even landlocked states!), there are many places where you can find calm waters and plenty of expert instructors out there to help you get started. Again, these are simply the coolest places we could cook up.

You can eFoil anywhere, just add water!

Disclaimer: We do NOT recommend flying or riding an eFoil to a popular surf spot for your first time. Without further adieu here are our top five best spots to eFoil for beginners in the United States:

US Virgin Islands: Tropical Retreat for eFoiling

USVI is a chain of islands in the carribean known for its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and lush green hills.

US Virgin Islands (USVI) – The USVI are a tropical paradise that offers some of the best eFoiling conditions in the country. With crystal clear waters and consistent trade winds, these islands are a perfect place for beginners to learn how to eFoil.

Perfect for a couples activity on a honeymoon if you and your significant other are seasoned surfers. The USVI is known for some of the best reefs in the Caribbean. There’s plenty of activities in addition to eFoiling such as snorkeling, sunbathing, and scuba diving.

Don’t worry there are of course plenty of eFoil rental companies and instructors on hand, you can easily get all the gear and lessons you need to get started.

Puerto Rico: The Spot Where eFoiling Began

Puerto Rico is another gem of the Caribbean known for excellent waves during the winter.

Puerto Rico -The birthplace of the eFoil by Lift Foils, we have a brief bio on the family owned eFoiling business spearheaded by Nick Leason.

No surprise to us but most eFoils are designed and produced by Lift eFoils in Puerto Rico! The Lift eFoil is one of the best efoils on the market and luckily here are plenty of spots to go cruising around.

Located in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico is another great spot for beginner eFoiling. Puerto Rico is a great spot for surfboarding, the island gets hit with winter swells spawning from Africa and favorable winds. Ripe conditions for the perfect wave given the day.

Puerto Rico is a popular retreat for east coast surfers fleeing the snow to get some sunshine. With warm water and steady winds, it’s a great place to learn how to eFoil in comfort.

Plus, a vibrant Hispanic culture with plenty of other activities to enjoy, you can make a vacation out of your e Foiling trip to Puerto Rico.

Salt Lake City, Utah: An Unusual Spot for eFoiling

Salt Lake City is known for the.. uh…massive Salt Lake next to the city…and Mormons.

Salt Lake City, Utah – While it might not be the first place you think of for eFoiling, Salt Lake City actually has some great conditions in the summer to e Foil.

With a large salt lake and steady wind, it’s a great place to learn how to electric foil. Especially for ski and snowboard bums looking to switch it up from the slopes. Sick of hitting tricks in the terrain park? Try a few rides in one of the most unique places in the world.

An added perk is the saltwater in the lake will help you stand and float easier compared to freshwater. Plus if you fall you can just chill lying in the water. Don’t forget to flush your eFoil with freshwater to protect it from corrosion. Saltwater can ruin the performance and integrity of the board.

With easy access to the city and other outdoor activities like fly fishing or mountain biking. You can make a two hour terrific trip outdoors visiting Salt Lake City, Utah. A quick trip for Colorado riders as well!

Hawaii: A Sanctuary for Surfing

The mecca of the surfboard. Surfing’s history is rooted here and there’s a reason why everyone travels there in the winter each year.

Hawaii –  It’s no surprise that the birthplace of the surfboard is a great spot to efoil, with its crystal clear warm waters and consistent trade winds.

In the winter, surfers from all over the globe flock to the North Shore to push themselves into some of the biggest and perfect waves. Swell from winter storms brewing in the pacific slam against the North Shore creating mountainous waves. In the Summer, you’ll find the waves are a mere ripples from the lack of storms.

Whether you want to eFoil on Oahu, Maui, or any of the other islands, you’ll find ample opportunities to learn how to eFoil and hone your skills.

If you’re interested in learning more about how the Hawaiians preserved surfing, check out our post on that here

Southern California: Rich History of Surfing

California has a rich history of surf culture which has embedded into popular culture thanks to Hollywood. Picture: Rincon also known as “The Queen”

SoCal: With its warm waters and consistent winds, Southern California is a great spot for beginner e Foils to learn. Just a warning, it can get a bit chilly in the winter so if you’re looking for board shorts weather, stick to the summer months.

From San Diego to Los Angeles, you’ll find plenty of rental companies and instructors to help you get started. Mission Bay in San Diego is an excellent location for beginners to try out your eFoil. The famous breaks like Rincon, Malibu, and Huntington Pier are all well within striking distance as well.

However, we don’t recommend paddling out your foil at these breaks if you are a beginner foiler. We wouldn’t want your first ride at “a remote” Malibu point pissing the locals off with your electric motor would we!If you’re unlucky and it rains in Southern California during your stay, then you may have to sit out of the water for a few days. The runoff gets into the seawater, the runoff contains infectious diseases like strep, diarrhea, and ear infections.

Friends don’t let friends ride the day after a rainstorm in California! Protect your buddies and stay on your feet. That being said, with SoCal’s laid-back beach culture and beautiful coastline, you’ll love spending time in this sunny region.

Which Spot Should I Learn to eFoil?

Wherever is closest to you! You don’t need to fly to California or the Caribbean if you live in New York. The fun is right in your backyard of Long Beach or the armpit of the US, New Jersey!

There’s heaps of places to try out this innovative technology across the U.S. But no matter where you decide to eFoil, please be sure to use common sense and get proper instruction before hitting the water. 

If you’re traveling to any of these spots the local surfers may not be too welcoming to someone learning to ride an eFoil. eFoiling has a range of serious risks. You can seriously injure yourself and others so, it’s best to stick with mellow bays and lakes while learning.

With these top five spots to eFoil for beginners in the United States, you will be sure to find a great, fun place to learn and have an epic time!