Until now, anyone who wanted to surf had to go to the sea and wait for the right waves there. A company from Würzburg is now providing a remedy: The company eFoil Riders offers so-called fliteboards, i.e. electric surfboards with which water rats can surf the Main? and without any waves. How it works.
Up to 30 kilometers of surfing possible
In the new sport, surfers float on the fliteboard up to 70 centimeters above the surface of the water. The advantage: According to Sven Hamelmann, founder of the company eFoil Riders, the boards are powered by a compact, emission-free electric motor. This draws its energy from a battery. This allows around 90 minutes of travel time and a surfing distance of up to 30 kilometers. Because of the electric motor, the Fliteboards are environmentally friendly and do not generate any exhaust gases.
“The fliteboard is actually like an airplane,” says Hamelmann, who came across the surfboards during a trip through New Zealand. The board itself is made of carbon, the mast under the board is made of aircraft aluminum. “After about 70 centimeters under water, there is a wing with a motor. There is a screw on it that provides thrust.” Because water is around 800 times denser than air, a speed of 18 kilometers per hour is sufficient to generate buoyancy. The result: The board is pushed up to 70 centimeters out of the water and the surfer “foils”, as Hamelmann calls surfing through the air.
safety first
But before anyone interested can get on the fliteboard, they have to complete a 90-minute training course, explains the 33-year-old engineer, the first part of which takes place on land. “We explain the technology and give a safety briefing.” In addition, the company’s employees inform customers about the rules on the Main. “For example, about the distance to boats and right of way,” said the Würzburger.
Then go on the board? but not without help. “We are connected to the customers via headset and also accompany them with the board.” Anyone who has ever ridden the fliteboard no longer needs training, but can borrow the surfboard. The oldest customers were around 65 years old, the new water sports in Würzburg are allowed from the age of 16.
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Easier than “real” surfing
In contrast to normal surfing, using the fliteboards is much easier, says Hamelmann. You neither have to paddle against waves nor catch the right time to get up on the board. While driving, the customer controls the speed with a bluetooth controller attached to their wrist. The Fliteboard is up to 25 kilometers per hour.
“Similar to driving a gas pedal on a Carrera track,” he explains. Different gears can also be set so that the board keeps the speed constant. The board also recognizes whether a surfer is standing on it. “If I fall down, the board stops immediately and the engine cuts out,” says Hamelmann. “I have a virtual leash, so to speak, so the board stays with me.”
“If I fall, the board will stop immediately and the engine will stop.”
Sven Hamelmann, owner of eFoil Riders–
Steffen Jodl, managing director of the Würzburg district group of the Bund Naturschutz (BN) in Bavaria, is critical of the increase in leisure activities on the Main. It is not yet possible to say exactly what effects the new water sport will have on the flora and fauna on and in the Main. However, it becomes problematic when water sports are practiced in quiet areas such as the tributaries of the Main or in the vicinity of protected areas.
“The animal species there can be disturbed and impaired.” Often the mere presence of humans is enough to disturb birds while they are breeding, for example. If there is also noise, according to Jodl, the impairment increases.
Fliteboards do not make any noise
“Compared to jet skis, fliteboards are completely noiseless. We do not disturb residents or birds, not even bathers,” replies Hamelmann. The boards also have no tail wave, so no wave impact is generated. “And because they run on electricity, they don’t need oil or gasoline and they don’t pollute the water,” says the company owner.
To get into the water, Hamelmann’s customers use the landing stage at the “Kalte Quelle” campsite, where the boards are rented out, he says. “In the area in which we drive, we do not go anywhere on the shore. You need an entry point with the right conditions, such as our jetty.”
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