An e-foil, otherwise known as an electronic foil, is an electric powered board equipped with a mast and wing. The board lifts up from the water after achieving a certain speed, giving off the effect of levitation. It is different from other foil boards because e-foil boards do not require the power of waves in order to rise above the water since they are powered by a battery and propeller.
Next to jet boards, electronic foils are one of the latest exciting concepts known to grace the water sporting world. They are appealing to the eye, fun, and have provided people with a new way to enjoy board sports without needing waves or wind.
Of course, Puerto Rico is a great place to engage in this thrilling outdoor activity. This is because it is surrounded by lots of water. Some great places to go electronic foiling in Puerto Rico are the Black Eagle Marina in Rincon, San Juan, Isabela, and Aguadilla.
What is e-foil and how does it work?
So, as said before, e-foil is just an electronic take on the traditional hydrofoil boards. It is battery powered and has no use for winds and waves. A brief look at its components can be found below.
- Board. E-foil boards are measured both in length, width, thickness, and litres. The more litres a board has, the more buoyant and stable it will be. Much like Stand Up Paddle boards, e-foil boards are much larger than surfboards to allow for ease when standing up. It should be noted that heavy riders will require a larger board to stand on.
- Mast. Masts are upright poles used in boats for tighten the sails. Alternatively, electronic foils masts go upside down and are submerged in the water. This is to hold the fuselage, wing and stabilizer, in order to achieve levitation. Short masts are optimal for beginners as they prevent excessive rising from the water and are easier to control than larger ones.
- Fuselage, wing, stabilizer. The fuselage is the bar attached perpendicularly to the mast where the wing and stabilizer are fixed. Large fuselages have their front wing closer to the prow of the board. This makes the board more stable, and allows reaching ‘planing’ faster at low speeds. For greater speeds, a shorter fuselage is advised for use. Electronic foils always have two wings attached on the fuselage. The front wing is responsible of lifting the board, while the rear wing (also called stabilizer) applies force downwards in order to keep the trajectory longitudinally stable. The bigger the wings the more stable and slower is the board, easier to lift and harder to turn.
- Propulsion and battery system. The propulsion system is needed to push the board forward. This is located on the bottom of the mast, and usually consists of a propeller rather than a jet. The propeller is battery powered and is often activated using a wireless controller.
Now that we know about the components of the e-foil board, let’s have a look at the way it works. The board lifts up from the water after achieving a certain speed, giving off the magical effect of levitation.
Where to e-foil in Puerto Rico
Some good places, as mentioned above, to go e-foiling in Puerto Rico are the Black Eagle Marina in Rincon, San Juan, Isabela, and Aguadilla.
- E- Foiling in Rincon: You can participate in a two hour guided lift foil lesson in the waters off the Black Eagle Marina with their three step program. You will learn speed control, how to turn, and board balancing in several transitions until you learn how to stand and fly. It includes gear and equipment, taxes and fees. It does not come with food and beverages or transportation.
- E- Foiling in San Juan: One good school in San Juan is SeaKindly Foil School. They use the best equipment and render impeccable services with patient staff who will help get you flying in no time.
- E-Foiling in Aguadilla: You can maximize your time in Puerto Rico by booking lessons with PR Surf Adventures. They have certified surf instructors who will have you flying in ten minutes. Staff are happy to answer all your questions-even late at night.
How to E-Foil in Puerto Rico
This new sport is not hard to learn. Prepare to engage your flexibility and leg strength. Stretching beforehand is advised.
First of all, you will start on your stomach and learn the navigations so you can get up on your knees. Next you will learn to gain balance while controlling the board and finally get up on your feet and learn how to soar.
You can find instructors and places to take lessons by doing a little research online and finding the best one for you.
Some safety considerations for e-foiling are: taking note of the size of the board, as the bugger you are, the bigger the board you will need. Ensure you use a board that has the right sized wings to keep the board stable. Start with a shorter mast as a beginner to prevent the water from rising to excessive levels. Make sure you have learnt how to be stable when standing on the electronic foil surfboard before attempting to fly the waters at high speeds.
Other things to do in Puerto Rico related to E-foil
Some other great water sporting activities available in Puerto Rico are surfing on any beach of your choice, snorkelling- sometimes with turtles in Vieques, scuba diving in Isla de Mona, boat ride through La Paguera or Punta Arenas, or even paddleboard your way through the Condado Lagoon to be enthralled by the captivating city views.
To recap, e-foiling is the electronic version of hydrofoiling that relies on batteries as opposed to wind. It is an exhilarating way to pass the time during your stay at Puerto Rico. You get to enjoy the sea breeze, feel the wind in your hair and on your face, and get a good workout in too, whilst you are at it.