Riding a foil can be frightening for people new to the sport, as foils combine relatively high speeds with an impressive amount of lift that is initially difficult to control. The fact that foils are extremely sensitive, and that lift increases relative to speed, only serve to complicate the issue. Thus, it isn’t surprising that one of the first questions many new foilers ask is how fast eFoils can go.
Under the right conditions, most modern eFoils are capable of reaching around 30 mph, or roughly 50 km/h. Rider weight, local conditions, and different foil setups and propulsion units can affect that number somewhat, but generally speaking that upper limit remains the same.
If you spend enough time talking to experienced riders, however, you'll notice that top speed doesn’t come up in conversation very often. Instead, they are more likely to debate the merits of various front wings, how different setups carry speed through turns, how much throttle is needed in open-water swell, or how a particular setup feels after changing a stabilizer. Speed is part of all of these discussions, because it directly impacts how everything else operates, but top speed isn’t typically the main point of interest for those who have spent a lot of time on foil.
That being said, it is natural to want to know what an eFoil is capable of, particularly when comparing different models. By understanding the relationship between speed, lift, and wing design, new foilers can be confident that their gear will work well and help them enjoy the water in a safe and predictable manner.
Key Takeaways
- Modern eFoils can reach around 30 mph (50 km/h), although most riders spend very little time riding at maximum speed.
- Wing design, rider weight, water conditions, and propulsion unit all influence how fast an eFoil will travel.
- LIFTX eFoils stand out due to the fact that the stock 55mm propulsion unit (which has less drag and is more conducive to performance foiling) can be swapped out for a 68mm system, providing more torque and power for heavier riders and flat-water cruising.
- The Lift Connect System makes it quick, easy, and convenient to change out propulsion unit parts and batteries.
- New foilers typically only need enough speed for the foil to generate lift, which happens well below top speed.
- Smooth throttle control and predictable equipment contribute far more to learning than outright performance.
- As riders progress, changes to wings and other components often have a bigger impact on the ride than increasing speed.
Speed: The Frequently Misunderstood Foil Factor
One of the biggest misconceptions among new foilers is that speed and lift are the same thing. In reality, they are completely different but related factors that directly impact each other. Putting aside a more complex discussion about wing design and aspect ratios, a larger front wing typically generates more lift at lower speeds, which means the board lifts up onto foil earlier and stays flying comfortably without needing as much throttle. Smaller wings require more speed to achieve lift. However, because they have less surface area creating less drag, they tend to move faster through the water once a board is up on foil.
This relationship between speed, lift, and wing size is further complicated by factors such as wave power (bigger waves with more power provide more speed) and rider weight (heavier riders require larger wings to achieve lift at the same speed as smaller riders). Again, this is a somewhat simplistic explanation that assumes everything else is equal, so it doesn’t take into account factors like wing shape and aspect ratio.
Fortunately, eFoils take what would otherwise be a complicated conversation about hydrodynamics and simplify it by generating their own speed. Because eFoil riders can modulate the speed at which their propulsion units move them through the water, the weight of the rider and size of the foil wing can be easily overcome with the throttle control on the Lift Hand Controller, and therefore become secondary considerations. While optimizing foil and board size is still important, enough speed to achieve lift is generally not a problem on an eFoil. Thus, the better question is not how fast an eFoil can go, but rather how fast an eFoil needs to go to achieve lift for a rider of a specific weight on a wing of a specific size (and, once lift has been achieved, how the shape and size of the wing affects forward momentum at a given level of propulsion).
This is why two eFoils with the same battery and propulsion unit can feel surprisingly different once they're on the water. The foil underneath the board influences how early it lifts, how confidently it carves, how efficiently it glides, and where it feels happiest cruising.
Once the board lifts clear of the water, the hull is no longer creating resistance. Instead of riding a board across the surface, you're balancing on a wing moving beneath it. Drag drops dramatically, the ride becomes smoother, and speeds that might feel aggressive on a conventional board often feel remarkably manageable on an eFoil.
This is why experienced riders don't spend much time talking about speed in isolation. Instead, they are much more concerned with how a foil setup carries that speed, and how different wings provide different ride experiences. For example, a large Camber Pro wing (such as a 210 or 270) combined with a large tail (such as the 36 or 46 Glide) provides great stability while cruising on flat water. On the other hand, aggressive riders in open-ocean waves might prefer a smaller wing and the surfier feel of the Havoc line.
Diving Deeper into Speed Generation and Management
As discussed earlier, the foil setup, propulsion unit, rider, and water conditions all play a part in speed generation and management, as do the battery, eBox and software (think of this as the brain of the eFoil), and Lift Hand Controller.
The front wing has one of the biggest influences because it's responsible for generating lift. We have already discussed how a larger wing creates more lift at lower speeds, making takeoffs easier and allowing the board to stay on foil with less speed. Smaller wings generally need more speed before they become efficient, but once they're flying, they carry less drag and can continue accelerating more easily.
Rider weight matters for the same reason. A heavier rider requires the foil to produce more lift before the board can rise clear of the water, while a lighter rider may find the same setup lifts earlier and requires less throttle throughout the ride.
Water conditions change things, as well. Glassy water makes it easy to maintain a consistent speed because the foil is moving through a relatively undisturbed medium. Chop, boat wake, and rolling swell all introduce movement that the rider has to manage. Sometimes that means using a little more throttle, and sometimes a little less. It largely depends on what the water is doing underneath you.
The propulsion unit contributes too, but probably not in the way most people imagine. Motor output is only part of the equation. Propeller design, efficiency, battery performance, and the way the entire system delivers power all influence how the board accelerates and how smoothly it responds to inputs from the Lift Hand Controller. Even the controller is often misunderstood, as many people think that the different levels refer to speeds. Instead, it is important to remember that speed is a result of a combination of factors (rider weight, foil size and shape, water conditions, propulsion power, etc.). Thus, the levels on the Lift Hand Controller should be thought of as levels of power output on a throttle, rather than speed settings. The amount of power needed to move a 160-pound rider on a 150 Havoc LCS wing at 10 mph will not be the same as the amount of power needed to move a a 200-pound rider on a 200 Havoc LCS wing at the same speed, just as the amount of power needed to propel a sportscar at 90 mph is not the same amount needed to make a full-size Sprinter van go that fast.
How Fast Do People Actually Ride?
Most people ride well below an eFoil’s maximum speed. Cruising somewhere around 8-10 mph is common, but again, this is largely dependent on the size of the rider and size of the front wing, as well as the experience of the rider and what they are trying to accomplish. The goal isn’t necessarily to go as fast as possible, but instead to find a speed that is adequate to maintain lift on the setup being used, while also providing comfort and control through turns. As riders become more experienced, they naturally become more comfortable at higher speeds and can anticipate the redistribution of weight required to keep the foil from breaching during aggressive turns. But again, there is no “right” speed to ride an eFoil, and getting one up to its maximum speed isn’t necessary to enjoy the ride.
Safety Tips and Etiquette for New Riders
No one will deny that learning to foil can be challenging (although an eFoil makes the process much easier and faster). Fortunately, there are a number of tips and rules of etiquette that can make it safer and less intimidating. The first, and perhaps most obvious, is that it is a good idea to wear a helmet and impact suit while learning. This holds true of most watersports, including surfing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, and kiting. Foil boards, in particular, require microadjustments and a sensitive approach, since the rider must balance on multiple axes at once. Wipeouts are inevitable, but a bit of padding and protection will make the falls a little more pleasant.
It is also important to stay within a manageable speed while learning. While accelerating and flying at high speed might seem exciting, greater speed means more lift, which can result in breaching (particularly during turns). Until a new rider has developed the muscle memory and awareness to keep the foil under the surface of the water, a moderate speed is the best approach.
It is also a good idea to spend a couple of sessions simply feeling out the board and the transition from riding on the hull to riding on the foil. The entire mast doesn’t have to be out of the water to enjoy the feeling of flying. Even lifting a few inches off the surface can be invigorating, and there is a much lower chance of breaching when the rider isn’t two feet above the water (the falls are softer, too!). Once comfortable cruising a few inches above the water, new riders can lift a bit higher and explore the feeling of riding with the foil close to the surface (hint: the higher in the water column the foil rides, the less drag there is, which means more speed and efficiency!).
Adjustments while up on foil should be small and controlled. Unlike on surfboards, foils are extremely sensitive and react to the most subtle redistributions of weight. Sometimes all that needs to be done is to shift one’s hips back an inch to increase lift. Likewise, a small adjustment to the left or right can be more than enough to change direction. Remember that foils react quickly and abruptly to large changes in weight distribution, so slow and controlled is the best approach.
The equipment a rider chooses to learn on can play a big part here, too. A larger front wing generates lift earlier, giving new riders more time to react as the board rises out of the water. Likewise, a stable board feels more settled while you're standing on the surface before lifting. Together, those characteristics allow riders to concentrate on body position and throttle control without constantly correcting for an overly sensitive setup.
That's the thinking behind the Blowfish, an inflatable rail that provides added stability while new riders are first learning to foil. It was designed to make those early sessions more approachable, while still allowing riders to start on a smaller board, rather than a large, extremely stable one that will soon have to be replaced as they progress. All of the Lift eFoils also provide access to the broader Lift Connect System (LCS), which allows for wings, propulsion units, and batteries to be swapped out individually as their skills develop. Rather than outgrowing the board completely, riders can continue changing components as their riding style and ability evolves..
When falling (which will happen!), it is best to proactively jump away from the foil board, in the direction that the board is tipping. Attempting to correct a fall by leaning against it (as one would on a surfboard) can result in falling on the exposed foil. Also, it is important to remember the rider holds the throttle in their hand, and has full control of it all the time. Sometimes, when things go a bit crazy, people forget that regaining control can be as simple as letting off the throttle.
When it comes to etiquette, it is important to remember that eFoils occupy a unique space in the watersports world. Most motorized watercraft are banned from operation near swimmers, surfers, and other self-propelled recreators. eFoils haven’t reached that point, but they should still be operated with the utmost respect for non-motorized foilers and other watersports participants. It is generally the best practice to eFoil empty waves that no one is surfing or prone foiling. The beauty of an eFoil is that it can catch and ride non-breaking waves, whereas prone foilers need a wave to break for a moment so that they can catch it. Thus, there really isn’t any reason to ever be in the lineup with other surfers and foilers, especially when learning.
For advanced riders who do venture into shared lineups, it is important to follow a few unwritten rules about eFoils. In the big wave surfing world, tow surfers are generally not allowed in the same lineups as paddle surfers, unless everyone in the lineup agrees to allow it. And even then, paddlers always have the right of way (which means that tow surfers need to give way when a person is paddling into a wave, even if the tow surfer is already on the wave). The same should hold true for eFoilers riding waves in a shared lineup. eFoils not only provide virtually unlimited access to rideable waves (as opposed to prone foilers and surfers, who have to wait for the right moment and then paddle into waves), but also give riders added control and options when it comes to redirecting, kicking out of waves, and even continuing to ride after waves end. Thus, eFoilers should always give way to prone foilers and surfers. The beauty of foil waves is that they are generally non-breaking or only partly-breaking swell lines, which means it is often possible to give way without actually sacrificing the entire wave or ride.
By prioritizing etiquette and awareness, eFoil riders can not only contribute to a safer, more enjoyable experience for everyone in the water, but also help ensure that local governments don’t reclassify eFoils and ban them from surf lineups completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast do eFoils go?
Most modern eFoils are capable of reaching around 30 mph (50 km/h), although the exact speed depends on the foil setup, propulsion unit, rider, and conditions. Most riders spend the majority of their sessions well below that, where the board feels most efficient and enjoyable.
What affects an eFoil's top speed?
Several factors work together, including front wing size, rider weight, propulsion unit, battery output, and water conditions. Larger wings generally prioritise early lift and stability but move through the water more slowly, while smaller wings reduce drag and allow higher speeds once they're flying.
Is riding faster better?
Not necessarily. Most experienced riders spend very little time at full throttle. The goal is usually maintaining a smooth, efficient speed that allows the foil to glide and carve naturally, rather than simply reaching the highest possible number.
Final Thoughts
Many modern eFoils are capable of reaching around 30 mph (50 km/h), and that can be useful information if you're comparing different types of powered watercraft. But it doesn't tell you very much about what riding an eFoil is actually like.
Most riders quickly stop paying attention to maximum speed. They become more interested in how easily a board lifts onto foil, how naturally it carries momentum through a turn, and how confidently it responds beneath their feet in different conditions. Those are the qualities that shape every session, whether you're cruising across a calm lake or linking turns through open-water swell.
When you're learning, speed is something that comes naturally as your confidence grows. There isn't any advantage in trying to ride faster before you're comfortable with the fundamentals, and most people discover they don't need to. Once you understand how the foil generates lift and how the board responds to smooth throttle inputs, progression tends to happen on its own.
The best way to experience that is to spend time on the water. A lesson with an instructor can give you a chance to feel how an eFoil behaves, ask questions, and ride equipment that's suited to your experience. From there, you'll have a much clearer idea of what kind of setup makes sense for the way you want to ride.