Surfing is one of the most challenging and interesting sports currently practiced by people from around the world. But one of the toughest things about this sport is finding exactly the right conditions for your surfing needs.
If you have ever stared out at a still lake or ocean clutching your surfboard one too many times, then you might be sick of not being able to catch that many waves.
If you do want to surf on any body of water, then we would recommend that you buy an electric surfboard. This will give you the ability to be able to cruise and practice your surf moves even when it is completely quiet.
An electric surfboard is simply a surfboard with a motor and battery-powered engine that will generate its own waves and momentum.
This way, you can get out on the water and start kicking up some surf with absolutely zero issues at all.
These surfboards are very adaptable and you can use them on pretty much any body of water, no matter where you are.
They are also very powerful and it might take you some acclimatization to get used to the force that these motors can generate.
These surfboards come in all different shapes and sizes, so you might feel slightly daunted the next time you are shopping for one.
Where can you find the best electric surfboards? What features do these unique surfboards have to keep you out on the waves for longer?
What are the best materials for an electric surfboard to be made from? How much will one of these surfboards set you back in terms of price?
Well, if you are begging for answers to these surfboard-related questions and then some, we would recommend that you keep reading.
We’ll give you an in-depth breakdown of the electric surfboard, along with a brief history, the properties that these surfboards have, along with a comprehensive list of some of the best models that you can currently find on the market.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your wallet and get ready to hit the waters! First, we’re going to start by looking at what exactly the electric surfboard is, as well as the history of this amazing device.
The Electric Surfboard: What Is It?
An electric surfboard should not really be seen as a subset of regular surfboards, they have quickly evolved into a genre of their very own!
This type of surfboard does not rely on the weather or the ocean currents to generate momentum, they are powered by a motor that is housed in the body of the surfboard itself.
This surfboard allows you to cut through calm and choppy waters with the greatest of ease. One of the biggest killers for a great wave is a flat lake.
Well, if you have an electric surfboard, then you won’t have to worry about this at all, as the onboard motor will easily cut through the water.
This type of surfboard can come in all shapes and sizes, whether it be paddleboards, SUPs, or the regular teardrop design of a regular surfboard.
You can simply start the motor on this surfboard and cruise around on a still lake or ocean, admiring the scenery. However, you also don’t have to use the motor and can use this as a regular surfboard if the waves are high enough.
If you have booked a summer vacation and you want it to be an endless amount of surfing, then this is the best way to go about it. Not only can you take this board out with you every day, but you can have as much fun as you possibly can without having to call it a day because of a low tide.
A Brief History Of The Electric Surfboard
This surfboard was first marketed as a ‘surf scooter’ in 1935 in Australia.
This was initially designed to help lifeguards in Australia cut through the surf in order to reach people who were struggling in the water much faster.
This has since developed into the aerodynamic and speedy models that we see today.
With innovation comes variety and in the case of the electric surfboard, the number of versions that this has spawned has been amazing.
This has led to more slender and streamlined versions, with tweaks to the thickness and the shape of the board to make it easier to ride.
As the 1960’s approached, there have been radical innovations in the electric surfboard design, one of the main ones being the inclusion of the motor in the housing of the surfboard itself.
As the decades have rolled on, the electric surfboard has seen even more improvements and enhancements, as you will see later in the article.
Now, as you will read later in the article, some of the designs of this type of surfboard are simply amazing.
They are not constructed out of a wide range of durable materials that prolong the life of the surfboard and prevent it from being damaged by impacts and knocks that you won’t be able to avoid.
You can have electric surfboards for all kinds of water now, whether it is skimming across a calm lake during the summertime or churning up ocean water in moderately choppy conditions.
When it comes to having a surfboard that you can rely on, then you can’t really go wrong with the electric surfboard.
OUR TOP PICK
This first board is an electric foil standup paddle board.
This is great for beginners, coming with a sturdy construction with a lithium-ion battery that will stay powered for at least 90 minutes.
This will give you plenty of power on the still waters, so you can be sure that you’ll have everything you need no matter how difficult it is to row - introducing the NC Efoilfly NeptunX Stand Up Paddle Board.
If you’re worried about the low recharge time, then you can rest assured that this comes with a very fast recharging port.
You can get this one back up to full power in just under 2 hours.
You can control this one with a wireless remote that will be able to easily fit in the palm of your hand.
You can see the temperature of your motor as well as the speed with this remote.
Pros
- The construction - this is an amazing build machine, giving you everything that you need for a solid and reliable surfing session.
- You can accelerate this surfboard very easily, as it comes with a remote control that you can use to quickly ramp up the speed on your surfboard.
- You can also set this surfboard to a number of different options, including high speed and cruise control, which will give you everything that you need for a great surfing session.
- The electric components of this surfboard are waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about your device shorting out on you when you are in the middle of a complicated move.
Cons
- This might be a little too pricey for anyone looking to start out on the waves. If you are on a budget, there are other cheaper surfboards that you can get that will fulfill the same function.
EDITORS CHOICE
Next up, we have a very powerful electric surfboard that is really good for helping to carry heavier surfers.
This surfboard uses two jets to propel itself along the surface of the water, making it one of the most powerful surfboards that are currently available on the market.
This design has maximum power, which is great for riders that want to glide smoothly over the surface - introducing Onean Carver X.
This surfboard has over 10 kilowatts of power, making it one of the most powerful surfboards on this list. It is controlled by a wireless controller that you can set to multiple settings.
There are 5 different power levels that you can use for a variety of surfing situations, from the calm waters of a still lake to the choppy waves in the ocean.
Pros
- This board utilizes two jet engines, so you can be sure that you’ll have everything that you need for a high-powered surfing system.
- This will be able to transport riders that weigh over 90kg far across the water. This will give you much confidence if you are a larger rider and you want to practice more elaborate surfing moves on the ocean.
- This comes with two batteries, meaning that you can keep your surfboard powered for a much longer period of time.
- This has a very large constitution, so you won’t have to worry about this surfboard coming into contact with any harsh surfaces and breaking in two, which is a common problem for regular surfboards.
Cons
- With its two jet propulsion system, you’ll certainly need a lot more power to get this bad boy up and moving along the water. This might mean extended charge times and higher electricity bills.
BEST VALUE
Our next surfboard has a great ability to cruise across still lakes and rivers at very high speeds. You can practice any number of surfing trick shots on this surfboard.
You can carve deeply into the waters and handle those difficult turns very easily. This comes with a narrower tail and rounded edges - introducing Awake Ravik S Motorized Surfboard.
This board is designed with superior speed in mind. It has softer edges and much better curves, giving you everything that you need for decent cutting ability.
This has a lower buoyancy level than some of the other boards of this list. This might make it slightly more unruly to beginners, however, if you are an expert then this surfboard gives you a lot more freedom.
Pros
- This can achieve a top speed of around 56 kph, making it one of the fastest and most powerful boards on this list.
- It has a very powerful motor that actually does not require that much energy to stay charged for a long period.
- This surfboard gives you 4 different settings that will allow you to either cruise or crank it all the way up to full speed. If you are interested in cruising without any flips or kicks, then this could be a great surfboard for you.
- This has a very lower buoyancy, which will keep you lighter in the water, allowing you to perform some amazing feats if you are capable.
Cons
- This might be a little too light for some beginners, as they might prefer the anchoring that you might experience from a board that is a little heavier.
RUNNER UP
This next surfboard comes from a manufacturer that really knows their stuff when it comes to outstanding quality surfboards.
These boards are very customizable, allowing you to be able to create the ideal board that will suit your particular style of surfing.
This will include fins and the ability to set your motor power to the right level - introducing Radinn Electric Jetboard.
You can adapt this board for plenty of levels of surfing experience.
If you are a beginner, you can add your own fins, increasing or decreasing the speed of your motor and adapting your jet propulsion so that it is energy-saving.
This will be very flexible on a variety of different kinds of water, from still to choppy.
Pros
- This has a specialized design that will allow you to add various different components to the body of the surfboard itself. We would recommend that you adapt this board for your capabilities.
- You can pick intermediate or beginner jet boards, which is great if you are just learning the ropes of surfing and you want that gentle start.
- This board has won numerous awards for the design, as well as thousands of positive reviews on its website, you can guarantee that this is a board of quality.
- This has a neat handle on the side that you can use to carry your electric surfboard out on the waves. It is also quite lightweight, considering all the electrical power that it holds.
Cons
- This might be a little too expensive, especially for newbies who are not sure whether or not they want to get into the world of surfing too quickly.
RUNNER UP
This next electric surfboard is a motorized hydrofoil, which comes available in 4 different sizes along with a powerful propeller motor.
This comes with a Bluetooth remote control that you can operate from the top of your board. You can hover over any body of water with this board, so you won’t have to worry about the water suddenly turning choppy - introducing Lift eFoil.
This board comes with a high-grade lithium battery that will help you power the motor that is largely silent running.
This board displays real innovation when it comes to its noise pollution and the amount of energy that it’ll consume.
This can reach speeds of up to 25mph, which might not be as fast as some other jet boards, but it does have great cruising abilities.
Pros
- This board can be adapted for different water situations and different types of riders. If you are a heavier or taller surfer, then this might be the board for you.
- This is a hydrofoil, so the board itself will be a few feet above the surface of the water when you surf. If you like shredding it across large bodies of water in a straight line, then this is the surfboard for you.
- You can reach respectable speeds with this surfboard, which is great if you prefer cursing to tricks and curves.
- This hydrofoil comes in a wide range of different materials, including carbon fiber, which will certainly increase the longevity of your surfboard.
Cons
- This might be a little too powerful for first-time surfers, so make sure that you have at least one year of experience under your belt before hitting the waves with this surfboard.
Electric Surfboard Buying Guide
If you are in the market for an electric surfboard, then there will be some things that you will definitely need for a reliable ride.
These boards are slightly more complicated than your regular surfboard, with a lot more technology and material construction involved. Needless to say, you aren’t just dealing with a piece of wood covered with epoxy!
Here we’ll look at some of the attributes that your board, such as how thick the material is as well as how powerful the motor of the surfboard is.
There will also be other considerations such as whether your board is inflatable or not, as well as how the shape of the board can influence the style of surfing.
How Heavy Is It?
The weight of this surfboard is one of the most crucial things that you can think about when you are buying your next type of surfboard.
If you have a board that is too heavy on the top, then you can expect to capsize a lot more than normal.
You’ll also have to factor in your own weight. The heavier that you are then the more power that you’ll need to propel you forward.
If you’re going to need more power, then you’ll need a larger motor which will require more battery cells and a better heat management system.
You’ll also want to make sure that the motor is completely sealed from the water.
You can have many different kinds of propulsion systems for your electric surfboard. Whether it is a propeller or a jet engine, there’s a lot of different methods of getting you to cut through the surf.
However, if you have a more complex propulsion system, then you’ll probably see yourself spending a lot more money in the long run.
If you are a bigger surfer, either in height or in weight, then you’ll definitely want to be getting a more powerful motor overall. You’ll need to know which one works best with your body type.
We would recommend that you know the height and weight of your measurements before going out and picking up your next surfboard.
Now that we’ve covered the board weight, let’s move on to the shape, which is another very important aspect when it comes to negotiating your way through the surf.
What Board Shape Do You Have?
When you are picking out the right shape for your board, again, you’ll want to be factoring in your own weight and height into the equation.
If you are a wider surfboarder, the chances are you will want a wider shape of the board, as this will help you to maintain a more secure stance.
You’ll have to factor in the level of experience that you have with a surfboard too.
If you have a lot of experience out on the waves, then you might not need a board that is too wide in shape, preferring a longer and thinner board for how it moves through the water.
If you are thinking of surfing through choppy waters, you’ll also need a thicker board.
You can get plenty of boards that are oval or have a squared-off design.
If you are using your board on a lake, then we would recommend going with a board that is a lot flatter, as this will be easier to negotiate through the water. A curved board will help you to negotiate choppier waters.
The good thing about an electric surfboard is that there are a lot of models that you can choose from.
We would certainly suggest that you shop around for a while, as this will really help you to hone in on what model will best suit your surfing style.
Is It Solid Or Inflatable?
Something that you might not be aware of is the fact that these kinds of boards can come in two different varieties - inflatable and solid.
Both of these have their drawbacks and their benefits. If you go with a more solid surfboard, you can be sure that you’ll have a lot more speed, which will enable you to crest the big waves with as little trouble as possible.
The reason why the hard surfboards are able to cut through larger waves much more easily is that they have zero flex, so they will not bend or break when they are pushed against with much harder waves.
However, if you go with a lighter inflatable surfboard, then you might suffer from this issue. We would certainly recommend that you are going for much lighter surfing on relatively still waters.
Another major plus point of an inflatable surfboard is the fact that you can carry it easily from your truck to the shoreline.
An inflatable surfboard is also much easier to store, as you can simply deflate it and store it in quite a small space in your closet or garage.
We would recommend getting an inflatable surfboard if you live in a smaller space and find it difficult to store larger objects like a surfboard.
Inflatable surfboards are also good for younger and more inexperienced surfers.
This is because they are much softer, which will give them more confidence to surf and make them much less prone to serious injury if they come off their boards.
Thousands of young surfers start their surfing careers with inflatable boards.
What Type Of Board Is It?
Electric boards come in all different shapes and sizes, whether it is regular teardrop-shaped surfboards, foils, SUPs, shortboards, longboards and many more.
Whatever shape of surfboard you can think of, then electric surfboard companies have probably already manufactured it.
Each different type of board will give you something different in terms of stability, power, nimbleness and durability. It will all come down to what style of surfboarding you do and how frequently.
For example, if you are a hardcore surfboarder who is riding more than a few times a week, then you’ll want a solid electric board with a powerful motor.
You can buy an SUP electric board, which is very popular with families and people who need to tow a wakeboarder.
If you have an electric foil, then you can get lots of power from them, allow you to reach top speeds and handle deep corners.
If you want a more relaxing cruise without the waves, we would recommend getting a regularly shaped electric surfboard.
Now that we’ve looked at some of the amazing features of this board, let’s have a look at some models of electric surfboards.
Remember to bear in mind your body mass and the style of surfing that you’ll be doing before you commit to buying a certain type of skateboard.
The Nearest Place You Can Buy An Electric Surfboard
Although the appetite for this sport has definitely blossomed in recent years, it is still growing all the time. These boards are very specialized and you can only buy them from certain stores or online.
The chances of you going to your local surf shop and picking up an electric surfboard are very slim.
Unlike regular surfboards, there are also plenty of accessories that come with an electric surfboard.
There are many different components such as the engine and the jets that will need to be replaced eventually when they malfunction or just give out. You’ll mainly have to source these parts from the manufacturer itself.
However, you can order your surfboard straight from the manufacturer.
Wherever you are in the world, you should be able to pick up one of these surfboards and have it delivered straight to your front door.
When you are buying online, you’ll have to be mindful of what you are buying and also your own specific measurements.
If you really want to have a board tailored to your specific needs, then you can always contact the manufacturer directly and customize a board for your body type and your surfing skill level.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Electric Surfboards Function?
They use a small propeller or jet engine that is built into the housing of the surfboard itself. These types of surfboards are great for operating on still waters and do not rely on the tide being high to function.
Can You Ride An Electric Surfboard?
These are surprisingly easy to ride, all you have to do is maintain your balance in much the same way as a regular surfboard.
You might want to have a few year’s worth of experience on a regular board before trying an electric model.
