The Shenzhen-based technology company Waydoo will unveil a prototype of its upcoming electric hydrofoil board known as the Waydoo Flyer next week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV.
The electric hydrofoil board is designed to allow surfing even without any waves and removes one of the major obstacles to learning the sport of surfing.
[Update 1/18/19: We have been informed by Waydoo that the anticipated retail price of the Waydoo Flyer has been increased from $4,999 to $7,999.]
Waydoo Flyer electric hydrofoil surfboard
The Waydoo Flyer is an innovative electric hydrofoil board that borrows technology from aircraft design in order to make learning to surf easier.
Waydoo’s parent company, TXA UAV, is an agricultural drone spraying company that counts drone giant DJI among its investors. TXA UAV has developed a number of new drone technologies, but has most recently spun off some of their developments into the Waydoo Flyer.
According to Waydoo’s Marketing and Communications Manager Ted Li:
“The key components used in the Waydoo electric hydrofoil such as the brushless motor, the propellors, the power solutions – these are all areas and expertise that we already have from our drone developments.”
Priced at $4,999 $7,999, the Waydoo is much cheaper than other electric surfboards that cost as much as $22,000. This new affordable and beginner-friendly electric hydrofoil board lets surfers glide above any water surface without the need for waves. Ponds, lakes, rivers and reservoirs all become surfable when you provide your own electric propulsion.
That propulsion comes from a 6,000 W brushless motor capable of propelling the Waydoo Flyer up to 35 km/h. That might not be as fast as true surfing speeds, but the board is designed to be beginner friendly for new surfers. It also prioritizes battery life, providing between 40-60 minutes of surf time. The 1.7 kWh battery can be removed from the unit, meaning a replacement battery could theoretically be swapped in to get you back out on the water quicker.
The Waydoo Flyer is also designed to be easy to transport. The board is 180 cm (5’11”) long and weighs 25 kg (55 lbs). The main body of the surfboard can be separated from the foil/motor combo by removing just two screws.
The board’s handheld controller allows users to select between different riding modes. As their surfing ability grows, the board can become more aggressive.
According to the company:
“Its unique ‘Rookie mode’ offers automated settings to cut down on learning time for beginners. Meanwhile, ‘Advanced mode’ lets experienced riders control speed, height adjustment, and posture change.”
Waydoo Flyer is gearing up for production
The company is already well on their way to production of the Waydoo Flyer.
Commercial sales and shipments will begin in March on the company’s website.
In the meantime, the Waydoo Flyer electric hydrofoil board will receive its world debut next week at the Consumer Electronics Show 2019 in Las Vegas.
Electrek’s Take
$4,999 $7,999 certainly isn’t cheap. I could buy 10 18 e-bikes for that.
But that’s not really the point. When it comes to the world of personal electric watercraft, there just aren’t that many options. And the few options that do exist are insanely expensive.
At less than a quarter of the cost of alternative electric surfboards, the Waydoo Flyer is at least helping personal electric watercraft claw their way towards affordability.
And with more of these wild and weird electric watercraft entering the market (electric bicycle with hydrofoils, anybody?!), I’m eagerly awaiting the next cool, silent and powerful water toy to rocket me across the sea.
And I think anyone who spends time out on the water will enjoy the serenity that comes from loud watercraft disappearing, replaced by quiet electric marine motors.
What do you think of the Waydoo Flyer electric hydrofoil board? Let us know in the comments below.
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