As their home breaks attracted hordes of surfers, electric hydrofoil riders sought the rolling waves on the outside and sometimes flying wind-generated waves in another discipline called “downwinding” to avoid the crowds.
“Five years ago, hardly anyone in Hawaii had seen an e-foil. Now we’re racing them,” said XFoil founder Paul Lowchareonkul of Kailua.
Also known as e-foiling, the battery-powered hydrofoils helped make it easier to get to the waves. Another type of e-foiling called foil-assist (assisted hydrofoiling) is lower powered. Like pedal-assist bicycles, it has enough juice to help the foiler catch up to a wave’s speed then fly it on nature’s power alone.
“Efoiling is like flying over water,” said Lowchareonkul. “It’s silent, smooth and pure freedom.”
“It’s a sport that combines surfing’s soul with cutting-edge technology.”
“The gear has come a long way,” Lowchareonkul said. “It’s lighter, faster, and easier to ride than ever before.”
“We wanted to create something that brings people together on the water, no matter their skill level,” Lowchareonkul said.
“Efoiling is more than a sport,” Lowchareonkul said. “The community is a growing ʻohana on the water.”
“We’re just scratching the surface,” Lowchareonkul said. “Foiling will only get faster, greener and more fun from here.”
About the Author
We appreciate gifts of any amount
When you give, your donation is combined with gifts from thousands of your fellow readers, and together you help power the strongest team of investigative journalists in the state…