Is eFoiling Hard? Our Honest Answer

The most basic question we get when it comes to efoiling is, “Can I actually do this?”

Short answer? Yes. Absolutely.

Long answer? Well, that’s a little different. It can feel intimidating, but we find the learning curve is much shorter than most expect.

We get this question nearly every week, and Eli and Kevin (Waydoo USA) are here to break it down.

Who Can Learn to E-Foil?

We’ve had customers ask us this question at every age, including an 85-year-old who picked up a Max board with a 27” mast and was riding in a single session.

If you can answer yes to these two questions, then you can learn to e-foil:

• Can you get up off the ground unassisted?
• Can you swim?

Some people get it on day one. Others take a few sessions. But it’s absolutely attainable, and it’s by far one of the easiest ways to experience hydrofoiling.

What Does eFoiling Feel Like?

It’s kind of hard to explain. But, imagine like you’re weightless and gliding over the water. Once the board lifts and the drag disappears, it’s an insanely gratifying experience.

The nice thing about an efoil board is that it is a solid platform whether you want to lay on your belly, ride on your knees, or even sit. You’re going to have a blast, and you don’t have to master standing on day one to have fun.

“What If I Fall?”

No one wants to fall. But, here’s the biggest benefit when falling off an efoil: you control the speed.

Waydoo has incremental speed settings, so you don’t need to go 20+ mph to get up on foil. With a larger wing, like the Glide 1500, you can foil anywhere from 6-8 mph. At those speeds, the water stays soft. Trust us, falling at 8mph is very different from falling at 18mph!

When you factor that and the fact that you're wearing the proper safety equipment, falling isn't as much of an issue.

Why Waydoo Works for So Many People

We’ve spent lots of time on Waydoo setups, and one thing stands out: it’s obvious their focus has been building a thoughtful design that puts progression and versatility first. That focus makes learning realistic for everyday people.

With Waydoo’s modular system, you can start at a basic level and easily upgrade components like your board, mast length, and more.

Below are a few features and accessories we like from Waydoo that make the real difference in learning how to efoil:

Larger Wings

The 1500 Glide on the Max provides earlier lift and slow speeds. The benefit? Lower stall speed, more time to react, and softer falls. That alone is imperative when learning on an efoil board.

Shorter Mast Lengths

It can feel intimidating foiling with a long mast. A shorter mast keeps you closer to the water while you’re able to dial in control. The other benefit? If you overcorrect, you’re not dropping as far.

Large Flyer Pods

The 90L and 130L Flyer Pods add serious stability. For bigger riders or anyone who wants maximum initial stability, the volume is a noticeable difference. It’s also a great confidence booster in those first few sessions!

Fuselage Extender

The fuselage extender increases pitch stability, reducing that classic “dolphin” motion where the board porpoises up and down. By increasing the distance between the wings, it smooths out your ride and makes throttle input more forgiving.

For someone new, that added stability can be the difference between frustration and progress.

Water & Weather Matters

We’ll be honest — even though we’ve efoiled in near-freezing temperatures before, we all have limits.

Learning how to ride an efoil in the cold February weather with a full hood, boots, and gloves is not everyone’s ideal learning environment. Warmer weather and calm conditions make everything easier.

That being said, even in less-than-ideal conditions, most people can get the basics early. You don’t have to be carving turns on day one.

Cost vs. Experience

Yes, a lesson might cost you a few hundred dollars. We offer efoil lessons in nearby inland lakes, and we love meeting those visiting for the weekend and leaving with a new sport.

When you compare a lesson to most vacation activities, and how you can often get the basics in a single session, you gain a completely new way to enjoy the lake. And unlike some other foil sports that demand more time, experience, or board skills, efoiling gives you gratification early.

So…can you do it?

Like we mentioned earlier, if you can get up off the ground unassisted, swim comfortably, and are willing to learn over a session or two, you can eFoil.

We love seeing new people discover this sport every season. It still surprises people how attainable it is! Once you feel that smooth, quiet lift, there’s usually no going back.

Related Articles:

• How to Setup Your Waydoo
• How to Assemble & Transport Your Waydoo
• How to Choose the Right Waydoo EVO eFoil Setup

MACkite Subscription Links:

YouTube  |   Instagram  |   Spotify Oddcasts

Contact MACkite Below:

800.622.4655  |   Kiteboarder@MACkite.com  |   LIVE Chat Messenger