Electrifying Waterways This Summer - How eFoils by Lift Foils are Going Mainstream

eFoils are set to become mainstream this summer. Damien LeRoy, National Sales Manager, Lift Foils, tells Auto Futures how easy it is to ride on air over the water on an eFoil like Mark Zuckerberg.

"Riding an eFoil is easily achievable for anybody of any age because you have electric power. You can stand on the board. It propels you above the water because it is a hydrofoil. What draws everybody to the eFoil is that it can be choppy water and you smoothly can fly above it," says LeRoy.

An eFoil is an electric-powered surfboard equipped with a mast, wing and wireless remote. The board lifts up from the water upon reaching the correct speed.

Lift Foils is the innovator of the eFoil and the first one that came out to market. Nick Leason is the owner and innovator who started this whole movement, says LeRoy.

"We have eFoil riders like Mark Zuckerberg, Lewis Hamilton, Kai Lenny, Laird Hamilton, Jeff Bezos, Jimmy Buffet and football players. Everybody is on them because it’s one of the coolest, most-achievable things for people out there," he says.

"eFoils are easy to learn. I have taken out thousands of people on eFoils, and I only had one person who decided to ride on their knees which was good enough for them. But other than that, everybody got it." 

eFoiling is The New Golf (Really)

LeRoy says surfers, skateboarders and OneWheel-riders love eFoils and are usually fast learners. However, some of the fastest learners are yogis because of balance and video gamers because they are good at being very gentle on a trigger.

"Our demographic is ginormous. eFoiling is the new golf of the future because it is achievable for CFOs, presidents, and CEOs. You just squeeze the throttle. Then you can look like you are one of the coolest people on the water," explains LeRoy.

He explains that using an eFoil is like riding a unicycle that can go in any direction. It can go forward, back, left and right.

The rider starts off lying on the board and then moves to stand on it. The board is connected to a propeller with a mast and wings. The speed is controlled with a remote while the direction is controlled by body weight shifting.

"The easiest way to describe it would be if you look at an aeroplane. You have the big wings in front of the little wing in the back. The hydrofoil is a mast mounted on the top of the aeroplane. But with a hydrofoil the aeroplane is underwater. There is an electric propeller. When you squeeze the throttle on the remote, it propels the eFoil, like an aeroplane." 

"The steering is controlled by weight shifting. If you put a lot of back pressure, the board comes up. If you put a lot of front foot pressure, the board goes down. If you lean to the right or lean to the left, it is going to go left or right," he adds.

Safe Surfing With eFoils

The eFoil has an electric motor with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The charge lasts two hours. The only maintenance is washing with the eFoil with fresh water. The battery should be plugged into a charger and charged until it reaches 30-50% every 6 months. The eFoil comes apart in less than five minutes and can be put in a case that can fit in any car. It takes four bolts to put it together. Lift Foils offer different eFoil models and configurations for different uses.

For safety, when a rider lets go of the remote and the trigger - the power will automatically shut off.

LeRoy suggests interested people can take eFoil lessons through Lift Foil partners worldwide.

"If you get proper training so that you have a great experience. You will love it for the rest of your life," says LeRoy.

eFoil use does not require a boating license. eFoils have to be registered and titled because they are propelled boats. They can be used on all types of waterways, says LeRoy.

"There are a lot of people who want to go on vacation. This is a perfect way to create incredible happiness for your family. You can purchase an eFoil and you have your own vacation every day at your home over the summer or all year in Florida. It is a great way for your wife, kids, family, dog and friends to go out and enjoy the water. We recommend looking at Lift Foils' dealer locator, taking a lesson and enjoying it. It truly is one of the most exhilarating, most incredible feelings you can have." 

"I've done every sport, you name it. I've been a world champion in kitesurfing. I travelled all over the world doing everything. There's something about sharing this experience with others that is just mind-blowing,"  LeRoy says about his job.