E-FOIL FAQs ANSWERED - short and sweet
In Hawaii, we foil a lot. We efoil the most out of the hydrofoil board options that we have because it is so damn easy. With so much time in the water, we get lots of questions about our set up, where we go, how we surf these toys.
So today, we are going to address some of our most common FAQs, short and to the point. Here we go!
Q: WHAT IS THE BEST FOIL TO SURF WITH ON THE E FOIL?
A: Unfortunately, we can’t give a simple answer to this because it depends on three main factors: surf conditions, your weight, your skill level. For larger waves, choose a smaller foil. For heavier riders, choose a larger foil. If your skills are basic to intermediate, stay with the Lift Foils Surf V2 line up. For the intermediate to advanced wave riders on the e-foil, the high aspect line of foils is usually the best option to get really loose turns and to maximize your efficiency on the foil board.
Q: HOW DO YOU SURF THE LIFT E FOIL WITH THE FOLDING PROP?
A: We have a few blog posts addressing this question because we get it so often. We will hit the main points here to keep it simple. Step 1: match your speed to the wave speed. Step 2: pick a line that runs you from the peak of the wave to the shoulder. Step 3: simultaneously release the trigger on the hand controller completely AND shift your weight towards your back foot. Step 4: maintain a level board. A level board is a level foil. Step 5: kick out as you get to the shoulder of the wave.
Q: WHAT IS THE #1 MISTAKE THAT NEW E-FOILERS MAKE?
A: Speed. Too little speed, and you can’t get into a stable foil position. Too much speed, and you are always wrestling the nose of the board to keep it under control. The best thing you can do is to start with a low setting (lightning bolt 3 if you weigh 150-200 lbs, less if you weigh less) and fully squeeze the trigger on the hand controller. If this speed gets you onto foil with a level board, then you are good to go. If you feel wobbly or unstable with the nose of the foil board high, then you may need to increase your speed by one. Finding the correct speed for your learning is important so that you are not amplifying your errors with too much speed, nor are you wrestling with stability when you have too little speed. All of our students fit into a 2-5 speed range regardless of weight. Nobody needs to go any faster than 5 until they are very confident in their riding technique.
Q: DO I NEED TO HAVE SURFING EXPERIENCE TO RIDE THE LIFT ELECTRIC HYDROFOIL?
A: No. Actually, surfers are often some of our worst students. Some of the best surfers that we have taught on the e-foil had two issues that slowed down their progress: (1) they didn’t want to look like a kook. After years of surfing, and surfing well, the last thing they want to do is look stupid falling off a surfboard. Only after accepting the kook-factor do they realize how different foiling is from surfing. (2) surfers have the habit of shifting their weight to far back to avoid “pearling” the nose. We encourage them to “pearl test” the hydrofoil. As long as the motor is engaged, they are unable to push the nose under water. This allows them to stand with a neutral weight distribution. This is much more than an electric surfboard; it’s an electric hydrofoil surfboard, and the electric portion has a lot of kick. You DO NOT need to have surfing experience.
There you have it. Short and sweet, to the point answers to our most frequently asked questions. If you have a question about the Lift e-foil or any general questions about hydrofoils, please send us an email at hawaiiefoil@gmail.com. Aloha.