Efoils fun or boring

Most of us always have spare time even when we think that our schedule is too tight to indulge in leisure. I make sure that I still get those "me times" during the day.

I have the new Takuma Carver 2 jet e-foil board -- at the moment it is the only e-foil board that is legal in Canada. The "trick" to getting this particular board on foil (it has a lot of rocker) is to get your weight well over the nose of the board and pump it a bit.

I enjoy e-foiling but I bought it so I can foil on windless days. Give me 7 or 8 knots of wind and I'm on a wing or wind foiling board.

Here's what they don't tell you: 1) the boards with battery and foil are heavy so you need relatively easy access to the water; 2) a long lease attached to a waist belt and the other end to the board makes things much easier (without one it can be a good swim to the board especially if there's some wind); 3) wear a helmet and impact vest -- if you try and save a fall you can easily make contact with the board and that can hurt; and 4) e-foils are expensive so you have to be prepared to commit to it.

I have several Kijura front wing foils and the board works well with both the 1440 and 1210. The 1440 gets up on foil much easier and overall uses a lot less of the electric battery's power.

Where I live we get quite a few windless days in the summer so the e-foil board gets a fair bit of use.

I bit the bullet and threw down the copious dineros to get a Lift3. I intend to DIY one eventually but decided life's too short to wait, can consider selling this one when mine's built. Or best case scenario: if I can entire the missus to join, we'll need his n hers.

Had it a month, probably 25 sessions so far (yes, most days I'm on it). Initial thoughts:

-- flat water gets boring quick. Frankly, same as kiting and winging where flat water is for practice / training for more effective wave riding. Funny thing is it isn't great in glassy conditions, a little dapple is better for height awareness. Also done it in 20kts, the chop doesn't matter much (same as winging), but you can sure notice the wind on the upwind side, have to throttle up and lean into it. Wind swells are foilable without power, briefly.

-- waves are super fun. The majority of my riding is focused on wake thievery. Most are small speedboats passing by quick, so it's practicing top/bottom turn combos for a few minutes at a time. Occasionally a bigger slower boat goes by and can get some unpowered rides. This is a daily driver for me, 2 mins from my house, 5mins set up, an hour total I can get a good burn and back to life with a smile on my face. No wind, waves, driving, or intensive set up needed. Check.

-- first surf trip with it was a wow. Reminds me a lot of wingfoil surfing, high speed self tow in, then the long glide. Have the advantage of 360 degree wave chasing angles plus quick shot to where you need to be. Not a lot of dynamic turning yet (or maybe never, unless I channel my inner Keahi). It's trippy pumping these things, you really feel the weight on the downstroke. Most of my riding was 100m further out and 100m down the beach from any surfers, riding the swells forming up and kicking out as they break. I was probably 80% for re-engaging power without touchdowns or having to re waterstart.

-- I did a 10km no-wind downwinder on Long Beach (beach break). Was wild, tagging into swells, kick out, into the one behind, on and on. But the best part was a section where the swells formed up 100m further outside than anywhere else on the beach. 4-6' walls, like powder snowboarding, then 20 seconds later they dissipate to nothing. Middle of nowhere, nearest surfer 5km away. All for me and an experience that realistically will never be gained with any other craft, at least around here. Cloud break self tow-in.

I am frothing for the big days in winter, when it forms up way outside. It can be challenging to catch them surf/sup foiling.

Also frothing to get to the marina where the big pleasure boats come and go, and also ferry and freighter lanes. Endless big wakes.

So, yes, stoked on the purchase ... as they say, the sting of the price fades quickly, but the quality and fun last a lot longer. This will not replace my other foil sports ... it's an add-on, for a different experience, and I intend to use it along with whatever surf, sup, or wing tool is best on any given day.