Efoils are self-propelled electric surfboards equipped powered by rechargeable batteries, these boards allow riders to glide above the water without a towboat. This summer, our friends at Glyde Watersports invited the MLR staff to try eFoiling firsthand and learn more about this emerging watersport.
You begin by lying on your stomach and using a wristband remote to control the speed. As the board gains momentum, the hydrofoil lifts above the water’s surface, creating the sensation of flying just above the waves.
We started our lesson in the early afternoon, working our way from lying on our stomachs to kneeling and eventually standing. Each step required a little balance, coordination, and practice. With guidance from our instructors, David and Steve, we gradually learned to lift the boards out of the water and glide above the waves.
After just an hour of instruction, we were cruising across the lake, practicing turns, and getting comfortable with this new way to experience the water.
David and Steve explained how eFoiling offers some of the excitement of wake surfing without a towboat. The boards are nearly silent, and riders can operate them independently, without the need for a boat to create a wake.
During our session, we stayed in water at least six feet deep and generally rode well offshore, away from private properties. The quiet nature of the experience was especially noticeable when a fisherman who had been sitting nearby watching us all afternoon smiled and waved as he headed home.
For the MLR team, the afternoon was a memorable chance to try something new, connect with a local business, and learn more about an evolving watersport. As technology creates new ways to enjoy our lakes, firsthand experiences help us better understand these activities and how they can coexist with the recreational traditions Minnesotans know and love.
Check out Glyde Watersports website here.