Anyone who has spent any time adulting knows that life comes with a lot of stress and responsibility. From long days at work and commuting to crying kids, overdue bills, and the dreaded tax season, there’s always something raising our cortisol levels and taking our attention away from the present moment. The solution, of course, is to spend as much time as possible moving and adventuring in nature, letting endorphins, adrenaline, sunshine, and water help destress us and return us to our natural state. But sometimes that is easier said than done.
While some people spend tens of thousands of dollars on luxury travel, wellness retreats, and guided meditation courses (and there’s nothing wrong with any of that!), others have found a more affordable and sustainable solution in foiling. The ability to connect with nature, ride waves, feel the wind blowing through your hair, and fly nearly frictionless a foot above the water can’t be measured in dollars and cents (although if it could, you’d likely find that a foil setup costs way less than many of the other temporary fixes people invest in). And with the advancements in modern eFoils, it’s now easier than ever to sneak out for a quick hour on the water between responsibilities and get the stoke meter up to full. Whether downwinding before work on a LIFTX, cruising solo through offshore islands on a LIFT5, or learning the basics at the local lake on a LIFT5 F, an eFoil is an investment in happiness and sanity. In a world that seems designed to drive us all crazy, there isn’t much that’s more valuable than that.
Key Takeaways
- The true value of an eFoil comes from the joy it brings, not simply what it costs.
- Unlike many water sports, eFoiling doesn't depend on waves, wind, or a boat, making it much easier to ride regularly.
- Most riders continue progressing well beyond their first season. The Lift Connect System (LCS) makes this easier, as it allows riders to experiment with new setups and transition to more advanced wings as they gain experience.
- Buying a customizable system that can evolve over time provides better long-term value than replacing your entire setup as your riding changes.
- Trying an eFoil before buying one remains one of the best ways to know if the sport is for you.
What Exactly Is an eFoil?
Lift created the first commercially available eFoil in 2018, and in doing so revolutionized the foil market. By equipping a board and foil setup with a battery, propeller, and handheld controller, the company made it possible for riders to remain on foil in flat water, without manually pumping with their legs (a high-intensity, expert-level discipline that was only available to the most adept foilers). This democratized the foil experience overnight, making it possible for just about anyone to enjoy the feeling of flight over water, whether cruising across lakes or ripping turns in the surf.
eFoil technology has changed quite a bit over the past few years. Early boards proved that electric foiling was possible, but they were relatively rudimentary compared to today’s options. Batteries have improved, propulsion systems have become more streamlined, and manufacturers have spent far more time thinking about how riders actually use their equipment over a period of several years, rather than just the first few sessions.
That shift is apparent in the way Lift has developed its current line of eFoils. The introduction of the LCS made it possible to buy a single board for a variety of different types of riding. The ability to swap out components based on rider experience or daily conditions means it’s no longer necessary to upgrade to an entirely new setup every time a person progresses or develops new interests. The same board can be used to support a new rider through those first challenging sessions, and then be converted into a long-range downwind machine in a few short minutes, simply by swapping out a couple of parts. This ability to have one’s foil grow and evolve with their ability means that the initial purchase of an eFoil is now a long-term investment that can pay dividends for thousands of sessions over many years.
How the Ride Changes Over Time
One thing that never ceases to surprise foilers of all levels is that there are always new skills to develop. Learning to stand and fly is the obvious first goal, because without that ability you aren’t really foiling. But once you get that down, you quickly realize how much more there is to the sport (and how much more there is to learn!). For many people, the goal of progression is what brings them back, session after session. Flying leads to turning, turning to carving, and carving to maneuvers on open-faced waves. Some people put all their focus into surfing ocean waves, exploring whitewater rebounds, 360s, and even aerials. Others prefer to ride boat wakes, pushing the performance envelope with straps and inverts. Still others get into downwinding, whether on an SUP, with a wing or parawing, or simply chipping in and pumping on a prone board.
Most people end up pursuing a number of different foil disciplines, finding a variety of ways to enjoy flying over the water in different conditions. As their skills and focus shift, so does their equipment. Surf wings work best for waves, high aspect wings provide glide for efficient downwind runs, and larger medium aspect wings provide extra stability and lift for flat-water cruising.
The LCS makes it easy to pursue all of these different disciplines with a single eFoil board. Rather than having to get different boards for every different type of foiling, all you have to do is swap out wings, which takes less than a minute and provides a wide variety of ride experiences. The Camber Pro is perfect for learning and cruising, the Havoc provides a surfier feeling and feels great turning on wave faces, and the Florence X wings provide unmatched downwind speed and glide. The ability to use all of these wings and more on a single board is what differentiates the Lift collection from other eFoils and makes it the best on the market.
Think Beyond Your First Season
Once you decide to buy a Lift eFoil, the next question is which one to get. It's tempting to focus entirely on your current ability, but with the interchangeability of the LCS, it’s worth thinking about where your riding is likely to be a year or two from now. As confidence and ability grows, preferences change. Some riders want more glide. Others want tighter carving, lighter equipment, or different propulsion characteristics. That's a normal part of progressing in the sport.
Choosing a platform that can adapt to those changes often ends up being the best long-term decision. The LCS makes that decision relatively simple. Since various components (including wings, propulsion units, and batteries) are interchangeable, the main question is whether to go with the LIFT5 F, LIFT5, or LIFTX. The LIFT5 F is an entry-level option with a fiberglass board construction and aluminum mast. It comes at the lowest price point, but still provides the proven Lift quality and drive, as well as the ability to upgrade most components through the LCS. The LIFT5 F is also compatible with the Blowfish inflatable system, for added stability while learning.
The LIFT5 is the brand’s flagship eFoil. It takes everything good about the LIFT5 F and tweaks it: carbon fiber board, high modulus carbon propulsion unit, a direct drive motor with Quiet Ride Technology, 90 minutes of full throttle time, and the same Blowfish compatibility of the LIFT5 F. This is basically an upgraded LIFT5 F, with a few extra bonuses that aren’t possible to upgrade via the LCS (such as the board). And precisely because all Lift eFoils are equipped with the LCS, the LIFT5 can be upgraded even further, or equipped with a variety of different wings for different riding experiences.
The final option in the Lift eFoil line is the LIFTX. Rather than thinking of this as a top-end eFoil, it’s better to think of it as the pinnacle platform for powered foiling. It’s a high-performance surf foil with a streamlined electric assist that folds up and gets out of the way the moment the throttle is powered down. What this equates to is the maneuverability and speed that prone foilers are used to, but without the need to pump between turns, waves, or wind bumps.
With the introduction of the LCS, Lift has made it possible to swap out and upgrade most components on the LIFT5 F, LIFT 5, and LIFTX, allowing setups to grow with their riders. However, the foundational platforms (the hulls!) of the three boards are different, so it is important to consider long-term goals when purchasing.
Maximizing Value with a New eFoil
The best way to get maximum value from an eFoil is to use it as much as possible. The beauty of electric-assist foils is that they are built precisely for this purpose: to maximize time spent on foil. Sessions are no longer limited to days with good conditions, and rides are no longer over the moment a wave peters out. Instead, eFoils make it possible to fly virtually anytime you want. Whether you have a short window before work, an evening session after class, or all day to shred, an eFoil can make it happen. And it doesn’t matter if you are doing interisland downwinders, ripping turns on offshore reefs, cruising back bays with the kids, or just learning to keep a board on foil. Regardless of the style or approach, electric assist means you have the time and ability to get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in my first eFoil?
Stability is important, but so is thinking beyond your first season. Choosing a platform that can evolve as your riding progresses often provides better long-term value than replacing an entire setup later. That's one of the reasons the LIFT5 platform was designed around the LCS, allowing riders to upgrade individual components instead of starting over.
How much does it cost to own an eFoil after buying it?
Compared with many powered watercraft, ongoing ownership is relatively straightforward and inexpensive. There's no fuel to buy, and routine care is largely limited to charging the battery, rinsing the equipment after use, and following the recommended maintenance schedule. The biggest investment is usually the initial purchase.
Do eFoils get boring?
The beauty of foiling is that there are always new levels to unlock. Learning to stand up and ride on foil is only the beginning. As your technique improves, different wings, propulsion units, riding styles, and conditions all create new experiences on the water. Many experienced riders spend years refining their setups and approaches.
Final Thoughts
Ask anyone who is currently foiling, and they’ll tell you that they wish they’d started long before they actually did. It is easy to find excuses not to dive into a new discipline (particularly one as intimidating as foiling), but the minute you start, all of those excuses seem like a ridiculous waste of time. Thus, the question isn’t whether to get into foiling, but why you haven’t already.
eFoils are one of the easiest and most accessible ways to explore the world of foiling, while also being one of the most versatile tools for progressing into a variety of different foil disciplines. With the release of Lift’s LCS eFoil line, it’s possible to enjoy years of progression on a single eFoil, simply swapping out components whenever skills or focus change, rather than having to buy a new board every year or so. The convenience and sustainability of a system such as this makes it a no-brainer to invest in your happiness. And as people who have devoted our lives to building and riding the best foil boards, we can confidently say that there aren’t many things that make us happier than flying a few inches above the surface of the water.