Top 6 eFoil Tricks suggestions and techniques to master them
As eFoiling continues to grow in popularity, riders are pushing the limits of what’s possible with the sport. From thrilling jumps to smooth slalom runs, mastering tricks on your eFoil takes skill, balance and control.
Before attempting eFoil tricks, always wear essential safety gear like a life jacket/PFD and helmet. These protect you in case of a fall or accident, especially when performing high-speed or advanced maneuvers.
Also, ensure you're in a safe, open area away from other water users, boats, and obstacles. Keeping a safe distance and staying aware of your surroundings will help prevent collisions and injuries, making your trick sessions both fun and safe.
Whether you’re a seasoned rider looking to take your skills to the next level or a beginner eager to learn, here are six eFoil tricks and techniques to help you stand out on the water.
1. Wing breach with rail grab
The wing breach with a rail grab is a stylish move that showcases your control over the eFoil. This trick involves breaching the hydrofoil wing above the water’s surface while simultaneously grabbing the rail (edge) of the board.
Technique:
- Begin by riding at a moderate speed (+-25km/h) and positioning your body weight toward the back of the board with your foot directly above the mast.
- Start practicing some gentle heel-side turns, while grabbing the rail with your back hand to get familiar with the position.
- Increasing the speed (30 - 35km/h) and lean angle with progressively sharper turns to get your confidence up.
- Once you are familiar with holding a consistent angle throughout the turn, increase the lean angle mid way through the turn briefly then drop the nose down to straighten up. Practice this repeatedly until you feel you can do it with the wing tip closer to the surface.
- Now you're ready to attempt breaching the wing. Go into a hard heel-side turn, turning high enough and sharp enough to breach the tip of the wing (don’t try breach too much of the wing as you’ll take a splash). Practice this until you get it right.
- Once you are confident breaching the tip of the wing, you can then practice grabbing the rail during the turn for extra style points. This trick is best performed at higher speeds to prevent stalling during the turn.
Mastering this trick requires balance and timing, but the reward is a smooth and visually impressive manoeuvre.
2. Jump
Jumping on an eFoil is one of the most thrilling tricks you can perform. It involves lifting both the board and foil out of the water and catching air.
Technique:
- Build speed and shift your weight slightly toward the back foot.
- As you feel the foil rising, push down hard on the rear foot and simultaneously pull up with the front.
- As you lift off the water, move your body weight forward to maintain balance in the air.
- Absorb the landing by bending your knees to avoid wiping out when the foil touches down.
- Make sure you keep consistent power and weight on your front foot in order to continue riding after you have landed.
- Pro-tip: Try launching off oncoming swell, for increased air-time.
Timing is crucial for this trick, and the more speed you carry, the higher you’ll be able to jump.
“It's only just the beginning for Fliteboarding and airs have already come into play, I am excited to see where the limits in the air get pushed too in the future!” - Harley Clifford 8 x World Wakeboard Champion
3. Ride Slalom
Riding slalom is all about weaving from side to side in smooth, controlled turns. It’s not really a “trick” but a foundational skill that helps build your overall control and balance on the eFoil.
Technique:
- Start by riding at a comfortable speed and leaning into your first turn.
- Ensure you are high enough above the water to prevent touchdowns or the rail edges “grabbing” the water
- Alternate between toe and heel turns, carving a smooth “S” shapes (of consistent size) in the water.
- Focus on keeping your movements fluid and steady, adjusting your body weight as needed to maintain momentum and avoid touchdowns.
Practicing slalom helps develop the muscle memory required for more advanced tricks.
Pro tip from Justin Chait, Fliteboard Performance Team Rider: “One thing I practice and teach is to avoid using toe and heel pressure to steer. While toe and heel pressure can work to a certain extent, it limits more powerful carves and can lead to a ‘taco’ fall where the wing comes out the water towards the rider falling (something to avoid). Instead, riders should focus on shifting their weight to turn—just as a pilot uses roll and pitch to steer a plane. As foil riders, we should also rely on roll and pitch. To roll, I personally use head movement rather than toe and heel pressure to avoid taco falls. The rider should look in the direction they want to go to initiate the turn, then shift their weight back to create pitch and follow through. This technique is much more effective and prevents breaking at the waist, which often leads to a wipeout.”
4. Ride waves (unpowered)
Riding waves unpowered on an eFoil is the ultimate test of finesse. Once you’ve reached the wave, the trick is to ride it without the assistance of the motor. Ensure you have the True Glide prop or Folding Prop installed.
Technique:
- Find a gentle, rolling wave not too close to the shore or other water users
- Ride on the crest of the swell and start reducing the speed of the motor until you feel you have caught the wave. Cut the motor and rely on the wave’s energy to carry you forward.
- Position your weight toward the front foot to maintain speed and steer by shifting your weight from side to side.
- Larger wings are ideal for unpowered rides - experiment with different wings to see which suits you best.
This trick is about timing and reading the waves, offering a more natural, surf-like experience.
Pro tip from Adam Bennets, Fliteboard Performance Team Rider: "Make sure you approach the wave from behind at an angle, moving away from the breaking part, while matching the wave's speed. This helps you avoid outrunning the wave or falling off the back."
5. Riding sitting down/cross-legged
This fun trick adds an extra layer of challenge as you balance on the eFoil while sitting down or cross-legged.
Technique:
- Start by riding at a low speed and slowly lower your body until you’re sitting on the board with your legs dangling down on either side, just above the water’s surface.
- Get comfortable balancing the board at a steady and consistent height.
- Lift one leg up at a time and fold your legs carefully while keeping your weight centered.
- Balance is key—keep your torso upright and use small adjustments in your body weight to maintain control.
Once you’re comfortable, you can pretend to be reading a magazine for a great instagram photo.
6. Boat/dock start
A boat or dock start, eliminates the need to get wet before riding. It involves starting directly from a stationary position on a dock or boat. This trick is much easier on larger or inflatable boards.
Technique:
- Place the eFoil in the water next to the dock or boat.
- Sit on the side of the dock/boat, holding the Flite Controller in one hand.
- As you throttle the motor gently, hop onto the board and shift your weight forward.
- Adjust your weight as the board accelerates, maintaining balance as you lift out of the water.
This trick is all about coordination and confidence, helping you get on the water faster and with style.
Conclusion
Mastering eFoil tricks like the wing breach with rail grab, jump, or slalom will add excitement and creativity to your rides. Each trick challenges your control, balance, and timing, helping you push your limits and make the most of your eFoiling experience. With practice, patience and a lot of fun, you’ll be gliding across the water like a pro in no time.