eFoiling is a challenging but fulfilling sport that provides an entirely new way to experience the water. It also facilitates access to stretches of coastline that might otherwise require a boat or jet ski. Most importantly, it feels amazing, which is why so many people have become die-hard foilers over the past few years.
Of course, foiling isn’t easy (nothing worth doing is!), and the learning curve can be pretty steep when first figuring out the lift and balance required to glide a foot above the surface of the water. Fortunately, eFoils soften the learning curve considerably, as they remove a number of challenging variables and put speed control directly in the rider’s hand. Many people find that eFoiling dramatically reduces the time required to become comfortable on foil, whether they ultimately intend to transition to unpowered foiling or stick with eFoils for the long haul.
Progress on an eFoil follows a pretty predictable schedule, although the number of sessions a new rider engages in each week will certainly impact the speed of progression. While a lot of people only have time for one or two sessions per week at the beginning, they soon become addicted to the feeling of foiling and find more time within their busy schedules to fit extra sessions in. The fact that eFoils can be used in a variety of conditions, from calm lakes to windy oceans, makes it easier to sneak in sessions during short windows before or after work or school.
Regardless of how often new riders get out on the water, virtually everyone has to work through the same stages of skill development. The following is a general guide to what to expect each week.
Key Takeaways
- Most riders start by building balance and throttle control before focusing on sustained foil time.
- Early progression moves from short lifts to longer runs, then controlled turns and more varied conditions.
- The Blowfish can add stability while riders develop balance and confidence.
- Progress is rarely perfectly linear. Plateaus are a normal part of learning to foil.
- Consistent, shorter sessions can help build muscle memory and keep progression moving.
Week One: Finding a Balance
The first few sessions on an eFoil can be a bit intimidating and challenging, but most people tend to pick it up pretty quickly. The main skill they need to learn when first beginning is balancing on the board while the hull is moving through the water. This requires time and practice, especially as the speed is increased. However, as people become more used to the momentum, they eventually find that speed is their friend and actually makes it easier to maintain balance.
For people just learning to balance on a board, it can be helpful to use the Blowfish, which is an inflatable collar that increases the effective volume and stability of a Lift eFoil board. This also provides an additional benefit, because it allows new riders to purchase smaller boards that will work for them even after they become intermediate and advanced foilers. Instead of having to start with a very large stable board and then buy a second smaller board, they can simply start with an intermediate or advanced board and add stability with the Blowfish, then remove it once they become comfortable balancing.
Most people develop decent balancing skills within the first couple of sessions. They also tend to start experimenting with lifting up onto foil, which is achieved through a combination of increasing speed and moving the weight back toward the tail of the board. While the first few (or few dozen!) attempts at lifting typically result in spectacular wipeouts, new riders eventually start to feel the sweet spot on the foil, which requires balance on three axes (up/down, front/back, and side-to-side). Foils are incredibly sensitive, so finding and mastering that balance takes some work. But by the end of the first week, most people are able to lift up onto foil and stay there for between a few seconds and a minute.
During the first few weeks on an eFoil, it is a good idea to wear safety gear, such as a helmet (or padded bump cap) and an impact suit (or similar flotation device). While major injuries are rare, accidents can happen and it pays to be safe rather than sorry. And as a bonus, in addition to a bit of cushion during wipeouts, impact suits make it less energy-intensive to tread water while retrieving the board and getting resituated. Learning to eFoil can be quite a workout, so every little bit of rest helps!
Week Two: Learning to Fly
By the second week, most new eFoilers have spent a few sessions on the water and started to get the feel of achieving and maintaining lift. Week two is all about becoming comfortable on foil. Instead of focusing on balancing while the hull is still in the water and battling the board every time they try to get up, new foilers are relatively competent with the board and Lift Hand Controller, and are now focusing on extending the length of their rides. Long, straight runs through relatively calm water feel amazing, and there’s a tendency to want to quantify rides and measure how long one is actually staying up on foil.
Depending on the rider’s weight, comfort, and balance, they may still be using the Blowfish for added stability while getting started. However, they are also likely beginning to realize that a smaller-profile and lower-volume board doesn’t affect balance as much once they are up on foil. In fact, it actually makes the board more responsive once they start turning.
Week Three: Turning the Corner
By now, new riders should have enough experience that they are beginning to wean off the Blowfish. While they may still enjoy the fact that it makes the eFoiling experience more user-friendly and cruisy, they likely have the balance and ability to stand on the board without the added volume of the Blowfish, at least once the board is up to speed. This is where the next level of progression comes: learning to stand up on the board while moving through the water, rather than simply standing on the non-moving, ultra-stable board+Blowfish and then beginning to power up the propeller.
The other major progression that is commonly seen in week three is starting to turn the board. Many new riders spend the first couple of weeks traveling in a straight line while getting used to the feel of flying and balancing on the foil, but now the focus turns to gradually banking into turns and feeling the increased speed and lift that comes with that maneuver. Riders will generally need to weight into the front foot more during turns to keep the board from breaching. Alternatively, they might reduce the throttle somewhat during turns to keep the foil under the water. But ultimately, the goal is to maintain the same amount of throttle while ripping through turns, controlling the lift of the foil strictly through weight distribution.
Turns are where the next level of fun reveals itself on a foil board. Some people have described the feeling of a locked-in turn on a foil as similar to ripping around a berm on a mountain bike, except without any brakes. It requires precise body mechanics, lift control, and commitment but it is really, really fun!
Week Four: Ready to Level Up
When new riders hit the fourth week on their eFoils, they are generally very confident getting up on their boards, lifting onto foil, flying for extended periods of time, and banking through conservative turns. The next level is to push those turns harder and harder, enjoying the rush of laying the foil out at an angle and feeling the wing drive sideways through the water column. This progress will likely involve a few overzealous turns that result in unexpectedly abrupt breaches, but even wipeouts and near wipeouts are now less intimidating, as riders have developed a more sensitive feel for when the board is about to tip or the wing is about to pop above the surface. The more time that is spent on the eFoil, the more frequently these near misses will be recovered by the rider, which brings its own sense of excitement. Eventually, turns become second nature, breaches become less frequent, and riders are more likely to recover bobbles rather than wipe out.
Month Two: Breaking Through the Plateau
More than any other sport, foiling is an activity governed by plateaus. Because it requires such sensitive, precise body mechanics, it can sometimes feel like no progress is being made for weeks at a time. But when the progress does finally come, it tends to do so in large measure. Breaking through plateaus on an eFoil feels great, because what once felt nearly impossible suddenly feels totally within one’s control. At that point, the natural tendency is to immediately begin working on the next skill, which once again often requires a plateau breakthrough to accomplish.
By the end of the second month, most riders will have worked their way through multiple plateaus. They might also find that they want a bit more than flatwater foiling to get them excited. While cruising on glassy lakes and bays is still super enjoyable, they have developed all of the basic skills and are ready to push themselves in more challenging, varied conditions. That’s when it’s time to start considering new venues with a variety of different factors that can make eFoiling even more exciting.
Month Three: The Addiction Is Permanent
By this point, riders are fully addicted to the feeling of flying above the water. eFoiling has become a dedicated part of their life, and fitting sessions into their weekly (or even daily) schedule is a top priority. With the skills that they have developed, these riders are now equipped to explore a variety of different conditions, including boat wakes, waves, and even small wind bumps.
The combination of powered and unpowered foiling brings with it a whole new world of possibility, but also requires a whole new set of skills. Fortunately, riders in their third month are committed to improving and taking their foiling to the next level, and understand that progression plateaus are simply temporary roadblocks that will soon be overcome. From here on out, it’s an endless process of leveling up and discovering new ways to shred, fly, and enjoy the foil.
Frequently Asked Questions: Learning to Ride an eFoil
How long does it take to learn to eFoil?
There’s no fixed timeline. Many riders can get their first short lifts within the first few sessions, while staying on foil consistently and turning with control takes more time. Your balance, previous board-sport experience, conditions, equipment, and how often you ride can all affect how quickly you progress.
What should I expect during my first eFoil session?
Your first session is mostly about getting comfortable with the board and throttle. Expect to spend time riding on your knees, getting a feel for speed and balance, then gradually standing and experimenting with short lifts. Staying on foil for long stretches can come later.
How often should I practice when learning to eFoil?
Consistency helps. Two or three shorter sessions in a week can be more useful than one long session followed by several weeks off, because you’re reinforcing the same movements while they’re still familiar. Give yourself time to recover, especially early on when your legs and core are adapting to a new kind of balance.
When should I start practicing turns on an eFoil?
Start working on turns once you can stand comfortably, manage the throttle, and hold a relatively consistent height on foil. Begin with wide, gradual turns rather than trying to carve tightly. As your balance and foil control improve, you can progressively tighten the radius and carry more speed through the turn.
The Importance of Consistency
The single most important thing a person can do when learning to eFoil is commit themselves to practicing consistently. The more sessions they put in, the faster they will learn. Even when it feels frustrating, it is still important to get out there and feel the foil, because the mind and body are always learning and internalizing lessons. As the muscle memory becomes ingrained, what once felt impossible will suddenly seem incredibly easy and natural.
For those who have limited time to practice, it can sometimes be more beneficial to schedule a number of short sessions into a week rather than one or two longer sessions. Part of the learning process happens after the session is over, when the rider’s brain is processing everything they learned while in the water and on the foil. More often than not, breakthroughs happen after sleeping on the things that were learned during a ride, rather than during the actual session, so the more individual sessions that can be fit into a week, the better.
Ultimately, the key is dedication. Foiling is hard for everyone when they are first learning, but those who commit themselves to practicing are the ones who finally figure it out, and the reward is a lifetime of fun.