The sensation of speed on the water is like nothing else. Even sailing feels fast if the wind is strong enough. Windsurfing and kite-surfing take that sensation to another level.
And so it is with Flite electric hydrofoils, which combines surfing with something akin to stand-up powerboating, but mostly above the water. Foils provide the lift needed to keep riders on mini-surfboards above the waves. Electric motors provide the propulsion required to keep them moving.
“Foiling doesn’t feel the same as going 100 mph in a boat,” explained Rudi Miklosvary of Angle of Attack Marine, the South Florida distributor for Flite products. “But when you’re really going on a foil, you’re flying. It’s an incredible sensation.”
Miklosvary knows of what he speaks. The Australian expat played a pivotal role in bringing the Flite brand to the United States. The “e-Foil” brand is owned by Brunswick Corporation, which recently release the next generation of Fliteboard products dubbed Series 6. According to Brunswick press release, Series 6 boasts Air, Icon, Pro, Ultra and Race Flite product lines and “reinforces a clear progression from accessibility to elite performance, while simplifying choice and elevating the overall riding experience through customer-led refinement. “
“Series 6 represents a more considered expression of Fliteboard,” said Nick Stickler, the president of Flite, said in the release. “As a category leader, our focus is on clarity, refining performance, simplifying choice, and helping riders find the right board for how they ride.”
Of course, none of this beats a good rip in a fast catamaran or V-bottom. But may just enjoy it, regardless.