In 2014 electric surfboards were the latest craze on Gold Coast beaches.
The jet-propelled surfboards were fitted with two lithium batteries and manufactured by US Company WaveJet.
Punters were equipped with a Bluetooth wristband that allowed them to activate their board’s jets when they spotted a wave in the distance.
The board was designed to vibrate with power and propel the surfer onto the fattest or smallest of waves.
The hi-tech boards came at a price….they started at more than $5,000!
In 2014 Mark ‘Hillzee’ Hills worked for Yahoo Surfboards in Dunsborough WA and test rode an electric board at Yallingup.
From my observations of Hillzee’s trial, the board’s jet-propellers assisted the surfer on the paddle out to the line-up but lacked the thrust to propel the board onto larger waves at take-off. Also, the board’s extra weight seemed to impact on its manoeuvrability.
2014 Mark ‘Hillzee’ Hills taking an electric surfboard for test run at Yallingup WA. Photo Bruce King.
In 2014 electric surfboards were the latest craze on Gold Coast beaches.
The jet-propelled surfboards were fitted with two lithium batteries and manufactured by US Company WaveJet.
Punters were equipped with a Bluetooth wristband that allowed them to activate their board’s jets when they spotted a wave in the distance.
The board was designed to vibrate with power and propel the surfer onto the fattest or smallest of waves.
The hi-tech boards came at a price….they started at more than $5,000!
In 2014 Mark ‘Hillzee’ Hills worked for Yahoo Surfboards in Dunsborough WA and test rode an electric board at Yallingup.
From my observations of Hillzee’s trial, the board’s jet-propellers assisted the surfer on the paddle out to the line-up but lacked the thrust to propel the board onto larger waves at take-off. Also, the board’s extra weight seemed to impact on its manoeuvrability.
Related Content
Jack Houghton tests out the electric surfboard – Gold Coast Bulletin 3 February 2014.
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