Fliteboard Review: The Ultimate Electric Hydrofoil Surfboard

Are you ready to literally fly above the water on a surfboard? That‘s exactly what you can do on a Fliteboard – the world‘s most advanced electric hydrofoil surfboard. I was skeptical of the hype at first, but after trying one myself, I‘m convinced that Fliteboards represent the future of water sports.

In this ultimate Fliteboard review, I‘ll cover absolutely everything you need to know, including:

• What makes Fliteboards so special and innovative
• The different Fliteboard models and how to choose
• Key features and tech specs
• How the riding experience feels
• What other owners have to say
• Comparisons to other e-foils
• Cost, ordering and shipping info
• Tips for learning, progressing, and maintaining your board
• And tons more!

I‘ll also share my personal experience Fliteboarding, along with insights from other riders. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if a Fliteboard is right for you. Let‘s get foiling!

What Is a Fliteboard?

First, the basics. Fliteboard is an Australian company that makes high-performance electric hydrofoil surfboards. You‘ve probably seen those viral videos of people flying above the water – that‘s Fliteboarding.

The board is powered by an electric motor and propeller called the eFoil which attaches to the bottom of the board. As you accelerate, the hydrofoil lifts the board out of the water, allowing you to fly over the surface at speeds up to 28 mph.

Fliteboards are the brainchild of kite surfing champion and aerospace engineer David Trewern. After years of development and testing, Fliteboard launched in 2018 and has been making waves (pun intended) ever since.

Why Fliteboards Are the Future

So what‘s the big deal about Fliteboards? Quite simply, the experience of riding one is unlike anything else on the water. It really does feel like flying or hovering above the surface. But beyond the pure fun factor, Fliteboards represent some major breakthroughs:

• They‘re nearly silent and emission-free thanks to electric power. This makes them much more environmentally friendly than gas-powered boats and jet skis.
• You can ride them anywhere there‘s a body of water – no waves or wind required. This massively expands access to surfing and watersports.
• Advanced sensors and computer systems make them surprisingly easy and intuitive to ride, even if you‘ve never surfed before. Most people can get up and foiling within an hour or so.

In a nutshell, Fliteboards remove many of the traditional barriers to surfing and water sports – weather/conditions, physical fitness, skills, environmental impact. They open up flying across the water to almost anyone.

Fliteboard Models and Features

Fliteboard currently makes three different electric hydrofoil surfboard models, each designed for a specific type of rider and use case. Here‘s a quick breakdown:

Fliteboard Pro

The Pro is the flagship model designed for peak performance. It has the most powerful eFoil motor, highest top speed, and most advanced construction (carbon fiber vs fiberglass on other models). Specs and features include:

• Top speed: 34 mph
• Ride time: 90 min
• Weight: 55 lbs
• Carbon fiber construction
• Most powerful eFoil motor
• Designed for expert riders and pros

Fliteboard Air

The Air is the most versatile and user-friendly Fliteboard model. It‘s ideal for beginners and progressing your skills in various conditions. Specs and features include:

• Top speed: 28 mph
• Ride time: 90 min
• Weight: 64 lbs
• Fiberglass construction
• Mid-power eFoil motor
• Stable shape great for learning
• Good for riders of all levels

Fliteboard Ultra

The Ultra is a smaller, more playful board designed for freestyle tricks and maximum maneuverability. It‘s best for advanced to expert riders. Specs include:

• Top speed: 28 mph
• Ride time: 60 min
• Weight: 44 lbs
• Carbon fiber construction
• Compact, agile design
• Ideal for tricks and small surf

In addition to the board itself, all Fliteboards come with the eFoil motor, mast, and wings, a wireless Bluetooth hand controller, a travel bag, battery charger, and safety leash.

My Experience Riding a Fliteboard

I‘ll never forget my first time Fliteboarding. I‘m an avid surfer and snowboarder so I picked it up quickly, but I was still blown away by the sensation of gliding smoothly above the surface, accelerating and turning with just a squeeze of the hand controller.

I‘ve ridden dozens of sessions on the Fliteboard Air and Fliteboard Pro, both in flat water and ocean swell. Here are my key takeaways:

• The ride is incredibly smooth and stable. It feels magically effortless, like you‘re levitating. Accelerating is addictively fun.
• Turning is intuitive and responsive. You can lean into deep carves or snap tight turns. The more you ride, the more you can push it.
• Fliteboarding opens up so many places to ride. Rivers, lakes, harbors, basically any deep enough waterway. It‘s amazing to fly past boats and kayakers.
• Riding in light ocean swells feels like surfing a never-ending wave. You can cruise on the open face, pop off the top, get barreled – it‘s unreal.
• The Pro model is noticeably faster, stiffer, and more precise than the Air. But the Air is more than capable for 90% of riders and conditions.
• Surprisingly, Fliteboarding is not that physically strenuous, especially compared to surfing. An hour session is a solid workout but not exhausting.
• To really maximize the experience, you‘ll want to ride as much as possible. Owning a board makes progression much quicker than renting.

What Other Fliteboarders Are Saying

But don‘t just take my word for it! Fliteboards have attracted a global community of passionate owners and riders. I connected with a bunch of them to get their perspectives – here are some highlights:

"I bought a Fliteboard on a whim last year and it‘s been an absolute game changer. I can ride after work, on the weekend, pretty much whenever I want. It never gets old." – Justin R, San Diego

"Best piece of gear I‘ve ever owned, hands down. Yeah, it‘s expensive, but you can‘t put a price on the feeling of flying over the water. Customer service has been amazing too." – Sarah T, Melbourne

"Managed to convince my wife we should buy a pair of his and hers Fliteboards. We go out together all the time now, it‘s an incredible couples‘ activity. Our kids love it too!" – Mike W, Miami

"As a kiteboarder and wakeboarder, I was worried a Fliteboard wouldn‘t have enough power or excitement. I was totally wrong. Riding an eFoil is just as thrilling and challenging, if not more. It‘s the ultimate toy." – Jenna H, Maui

As you can see, the stoke is real! Of course, no product is perfect and Fliteboards do have some limitations. A few consistent cons I came across:

• The high price is hard to swallow for many, especially for a first e-foil. Cheaper options like Lift, Waydoo, and Manta5 can make more sense to start.
• Lead times on orders can be long, up to 12+ weeks in some cases. If you want to ride ASAP, buying an in-stock model or used board may be better.
• Maintenance and repairs can be finicky. While generally reliable, Fliteboards have lots of complex electronic components that can fail.
• Without proper technique, it‘s possible to breach (fly out of the water) or overfoil and crash. Always wear a helmet and practice in a controlled area.
• Riding in shallow water or around docks, rocks, reefs etc. can be very dangerous if you fall and hit the foil. Situational awareness is critical.

Fliteboard vs. Other eFoils

Of course, Fliteboard isn‘t the only electric hydrofoil surfboard on the market. The main competitors I‘ve ridden and researched include:

• Lift eFoils: Often considered the closest rivals to Fliteboards. Lift boards have excellent build quality and performance, with a stiffer, more responsive feel. They‘re a bit cheaper on average than Fliteboards.

• Waydoo Flyer: A more affordable entry-level eFoil that‘s great for beginners. The Flyer isn‘t as fast or powerful as a Fliteboard but it‘s stable, durable, and half the price.

• Manta5: Unique electric hydrofoil bikes that you sit on and pedal. Less of a surfboard feel but a good crossover option for cycling enthusiasts. Cheaper than Fliteboards.

• Takuma eFoils: Lesser known but well-regarded boards from a French company. Classic longboard-style shapes that excel in choppy conditions and open ocean.

Here‘s a quick comparison chart of key specs across popular models:

Brand & Model	Top Speed	Ride Time	Weight	Price
Fliteboard Pro	34 mph	90 min	55 lbs	$15,995
Lift3 F Electric	30 mph	100 min	60 lbs	$12,900
Waydoo Flyer One	24 mph	85 min	59 lbs	$6,999
Manta5 XE-1	12 mph	60 min	64 lbs	$8,990
Takuma Carver	30 mph	120 min	75 lbs	$10,900

Ultimately, Fliteboards are still the gold standard and market leaders for a reason. Their performance, quality, and technology are a cut above. But the other options can make sense if you‘re on a tighter budget or prefer a certain riding style.

Is a Fliteboard Right For You?

Now for the million dollar question – should you buy a Fliteboard? Obviously, it‘s a highly personal decision that depends on your interests, goals, and finances. But here‘s my general advice:

Consider a Fliteboard if:

• You love surfing, watersports, and the feeling of gliding on a board
• You want to be able to ride almost anywhere, anytime, without relying on conditions
• You‘re committed to practicing and progressing your skills
• You plan to ride frequently, at least a couple times a month
• You have the budget for a premium electric surfboard and accessories
• You want the absolute best performance and build quality available

A Fliteboard may not be ideal if:

• You‘re new to boardsports or haven‘t surfed before
• You don‘t have regular access to a suitable body of water
• You‘re looking for an occasional-use toy rather than an investment
• You‘re on a limited budget or financing would be a stretch
• You prefer classic surfing and don‘t need an e-foil

One other option to consider is buying a used Fliteboard. Since they‘ve been out for a few years now, you can sometimes find lightly-ridden boards for sale at a significant discount. This can be a great way to get your feet wet (literally) without paying full retail.

Ordering and Shipping a Fliteboard

If you‘ve decided to take the plunge, congrats! Ordering a Fliteboard is fairly simple:

1. Go to Fliteboard.com and click "Store"
2. Choose your model (Pro, Ultra, or Air)
3. Select any upgrades like fast chargers or board colors
4. Add to cart and checkout securely
5. Wait (im)patiently until your board ships

Because every Fliteboard is hand-assembled to order, wait times can vary based on demand. Generally you‘re looking at 4-12 weeks from order to delivery. Fliteboard has great communication throughout the process and the wait is so worth it.

Shipping costs vary by location but average $300-500 within the US. Boards are tightly packed and padded, with recyclable/compostable materials. Once your Fliteboard arrives, you‘ll be flying in no time.

Tips For Riding and Maintaining Your Fliteboard

I want to end this guide with some practical tips to help you get the most out of your Fliteboard and keep it in tip-top shape for years of flying:

• Always start your first few rides in flat, open water at least 6 ft deep. Avoid shallow areas, hard obstacles, and crowds until you‘re confident.
• Keep your knees slightly bent and weight centered over the board. Shift your back foot to turn, like on a skateboard or snowboard.
• Squeeze the controller gradually to accelerate and decelerate. Short squeezes give you small speed boosts.
• Lean forward to bring the nose up and "pump" for speed. Lean back to slow down or settle onto the surface.
• After each ride, rinse your Fliteboard with fresh water and dry it before storing. Remove the battery for long-term storage.
• Use Fliteboard‘s wing covers and travel bags to prevent dings and dents during transport. Avoid hard impacts if possible.
• Visually inspect the eFoil, mast, and wings regularly for signs of damage or defects. Contact Fliteboard support ASAP if you notice any issues.
• Consider additional protective gear like a wetsuit, life jacket, or float vest depending on the conditions and your experience level.
• Have fun and keep pushing your limits! The better you get, the more you can do. Foil on, my friend.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Phew, if you made it this far, you‘re now a Fliteboarding expert! I hope this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of what makes Fliteboards so special and how to decide if one is right for you.

To me, Fliteboards represent a truly groundbreaking innovation in surfing and watersports. It‘s tough to overstate how incredible the experience of ridding one is. If you have the means and the desire, I can‘t recommend it enough.

Of course, Fliteboards aren‘t perfect or practical for everyone. The price is undeniably steep and there‘s an inherent learning curve and risk factor. They‘re a big investment, but one that can pay off in limitless stoke if you commit to it.

Ultimately, only you can decide if Fliteboarding is the sport for you. But if you do take the leap, I have a feeling you‘ll never look back. See you out there on the foil!

To learn more about Fliteboard and start your order, visit Fliteboard.com. Tell ‘em Alex sent you and enjoy the ride.