Flex your pinky finger and your thumb because surfing just charged into a new wave in the Mother City — shaka mahalo!
Electric hydrofoiling (eFoiling) is one of the hottest international trends in water sports at the moment, and Efoil Cape Town has brought the concept home.
Almost like the surfing version of an electric bicycle, an electric hydrofoil is a surfboard with a hydrofoil attached with mechanical means of propulsion. Much like an aeroplane, a wing and engine system is used beneath the actual board to fly across the ocean. Without water being 830 times more dense than air, you might take off — quite literally.
The electric motor on the hydrofoil generates the speed required to lift the board up out of the water and onto the foil. The craft is manoeuvred by the rider shifting their weight on the board.
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These boards allow flyers to move at speeds of up to 50km/h for up to two hours at a time and over some 40km. This is partly because eFoil has gone one step further by adding lithium-ion battery systems into the equation.
The possibilities these boards offer are endless: surf no waves, surf bigger waves, or surf smaller waves. They also operate perfectly in dams. An added bonus; it’s all environmentally friendly!
For the first time in Mother City history, Capetonians will be able to give this lekker activity a go. Local father and son duo, Johan and Lukas Nel, have made it all possible.
With importing costs of an eFoil sitting at around R265 000, it’s a sport most just cannot afford. Johan and Lukas saw a gap in the market and decided to bring this incredible sport to our turf for everyone to enjoy.
Efoil Cape Town offers all kinds of lessons and experiences. From group and individual lessons to full on tours for more proficient riders, this is a new local business to love!
The gents operate from Hout Bay, Simon’s Town and the Waterfront. Lessons range from R900 to R1500, depending on what you’re after as a rider. You’ll be supplied with a wetsuit, helmet and life vest. The minimum age is 12 years and maximum weight 100kg.
The details:
Cost:
- R900 per person (for three people)
- R1 000 per person (for two people)
- R1 500 per person (private lesson)
Guided tour:
- R1 500 per person (three people max)
Duration:
- 1.5 hours (lessons)
- 2 hours (tours)
Times:
- 8am to 6pm, daily
Location:
- Hout Bay, Simon’s Town or the Waterfront
For more information and bookings, visit: efoilcapetown.co.za
- Facebook: Efoil-Cape-Town
- Instagram: efoil_capetown
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Pictures: Efoil Cape Town / Facebook