The Hottest Trend in Watersports: E-foils
Believe it or not, even surfboards have gone electric! The hottest trend in watersports right now? Hydrofoil surfboards.
What does one need for the perfect surf? Giant waves, the sunniest weather, and an awesome surfboard, of course! What if we told you that the giant waves were optional? Sounds impossible? It has to be seen to be believed!
The hottest trend in watersports right now is foiling, and if you surf or wakeboard, chances are you may already have heard of what this is, but if you’re new to the wonderful world of watersports, we guarantee that e-foils are the coolest thing you’ll read about today.
Electric surfboards are relatively new when it comes to innovations, but hydrofoil surfboards, or e-foils on the other hand, push the concept of electric surfboards onto an even higher, cooler level. E-foils are more like magic carpets or hoverboards that allow you to surf any large body of water, be it an ocean or a lake without needing waves to propel you forward. Foilers swear it’s just like being able to fly over the surface of the water!
Hydrofoil technology has already been around for over one hundred years and is typically applied to ships. It involves underwater fins that act similarly to wings on an aircraft, allowing the vessel to cut through water a lot more smoothly. Taking the hydrofoil concept and applying it to surfboards is nothing short of genius, and this innovation is what’s making ahem, waves with surfers and wakeboard enthusiasts the world over.
A typical e-foil runs on lithium-ion batteries, the same type of batteries used on our smartphones, only bigger of course. Because an e-foil runs on electric power, it’s much heavier than your average (analog) surfboard, though these are typically made out of lightweight carbon fiber. Some units can weigh as much as 40kg on land including their battery, but once the board hits the water, surfers say nothing is smoother. When an e-foil starts flying on water, it consumes less battery power than electric surfboards because the resistance from the water’s surface becomes practically nonexistent.
E-foils are equipped with a mast and wings. The mast is attached to the underside of the board and to the wings that are submerged underwater. Once the e-foil gains adequate speed and momentum, the board “lifts” the rider above the surface of the water, creating an entirely new surfing experience, one that’s closer to flying than surfing.
Lift Foils: The OG of Efoils
Lift Foils is legendary in the world of e-foils. This brand started it all with the creation of the original e-foil. A family-run company hailing from Puerto Rico, Lift Foils had the concept of creating hydrofoil surfboards since 2011. It took years of research and development to finally launch their first commercially available product in 2018, and it became an instant hit.
Their latest model is the Lift3F, combining a proprietary blend of fiberglass and carbon fiber. It promises to have more stability than previous models and is perfect for beginners. Its powerful battery allows riders to foil uninterrupted for an amazing 100 hours. It’s a quiet, smooth ride that boasts of zero-emission propulsion and can go as fast as 35 km/h.
Fliteboards Take Flight
Designed and assembled in Byron Bay, Australia, Flite is one of the biggest and most recognizable names in the e-foil scene. Founded in 2016 by former kite-surfing world record holder David Trewern, Flite started with humble beginnings on a kitchen table, a 3D printer, and one big dream.
One of the company’s claims to fame is being the first e-foil to cross the English Channel in a single flight in August 2021. It has also set the record for having the fastest e-foil speed in the world.
The brand currently has five models of e-foils available, and there’s one that’s suited for every skill level and preference.
Awake to a new way of surfing
Swedish e-foil brand Awake started out in 2017 making electronic surfboards because its founder, wakeboarder Philip Werner got frustrated about having to rely on someone to drive a boat to propel one forward. He came up with an idea for an electronic surfboard that would allow him to go wakeboarding without wind or someone to drive a boat.
Today, Awake has also gotten in on the e-foil game and has leveled up with its own model. Called the Vinga, this e-foil was designed for both beginners and experts alike. The board itself is short but wide, making it both agile and stable. It comes in two size variants: the Powder 1350, which is perfect for foilers up to 80kg, and the Powder 1800, which is more suitable for those just starting.
The Hydrofoil is the future of surfing
Whether you call it a hydrofoil surfboard, a hydrofoil, an e-foil, or even hydro hoverboards, these surfing innovations are just starting to skim the water’s surface. Their relatively steep price point still makes the sport somewhat exclusive, but the technology is getting so popular so fast, that it won’t be surprising if more affordable models roll out sooner rather than later.
Market research firm Fact.MR projects that e-foils are here to strike it big at an opportunity of $51 million in the electric surfboards market. There’s already a growing demand for electric surfboards and e-foils. Factors such as boards being lightweight with effortless transport contribute to their popularity among surfers.
The biggest area for growth for e-foils? Folks who have never tried getting on a surfboard. It takes less effort to maneuver an e-foil over a traditional surfboard, so those who might have been reluctant to try the sport out may be persuaded by the smoothness of the ride, not to mention, simply looking cool on the water.
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