Am I too old to ride an eFoil?

What is the age limit for eFoiling? 

eFoils are amazing because they allow people of all ages to participate in watersports. The joy and thrill of flying above the water are not exclusive to a small group of extreme sports athletes and the young. There is no age limit to learning how to eFoil. Some people are having fun on their eFoil from adolescence to their 90s! 

Imagine yourself mastering the art of eFoiling, gliding effortlessly above the crystal-clear waters of the Emerald Coast of Florida. At our eFoil lessons, we’ve had the pleasure of teaching students of all ages, and we’re here to share our tried and tested tips and tricks, tailored to your age group, to help you achieve this exhilarating experience. Whether you’re wondering if you’re too old to start or if your children are too young, we’re here to guide you on this exciting journey. 

Table of contents: 

1. Can I eFoil at 60 or 70 years old?  
2. Can I eFoil at 80 or 90 years old? 
3. Do I have to be fit to eFoil? 
4. Can children use an eFoil? 
5. Where can I take eFoil Lessons for seniors in Florida? 

Can I eFoil at 60, or 70 years old? 

eFoils are growing in popularity everywhere! They are popping up everywhere, from inland lakes and rivers to the oceans and coastal towns. Chances are you have seen people crushing above the water on what looks like a magic carpet or a flying surfboard. You may be wondering if you can learn how to eFoil. There is no age limit to learning how to eFoil. 

We have taught people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s how to eFoil. As far as watersports go, if you are a 65-year-old practicing hydrofoiling, you’re still a young pup! The sport is similar to surfing, except eFoiling does not require energy. We use an electric motor and a remote to power the hydrofoil for flight. With some eFoils, you will pop up like a surfer, while others require less mobility and allow you to stand up immediately.

Can I eFoil at 80, or 90 years old? 

There are people in their 80s and 90s living vibrant, active lives. Some even practice more physically demanding sports like kiteboarding into their 90s. eFoiling requires a little balance and mobility, and you will fall into the water from time to time. Hydrofoils must go about 12.5 miles per hour to take flight. If flying above the water, feeling the wind on your face, and learning some new skills in the sun sounds like fun, eFoiling can be a fantastic way to experience the joy of some light physical activity and spending time outdoors. 

eFoils like the Flitescooter 237 liter are impossibly easy for anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. The Flite AIR is a forgiving yet easy eFoil to use for someone who wants something easy but a small challenge. Remember to start with an easy-to-use wing like the Cruiser Jet 1500 or the Cruiser 1800. These hydrofoil wings are very stable and take flight at slow speeds, making the process feel safe and fun. 

People in their 80s and 90s now live vibrant, active lives.

• eFoiling is a great lifestyle for seniors. 

• eFoiling requires little balance and some mobility, with occasional falls into the water.

• Hydrofoils must reach approximately 12.5 mph to take flight.

• eFoiling offers the fun of flying above the water, feeling the wind, and learning new skills in the sun.

• eFoiling provides a fantastic way to enjoy light physical activity and spend time outdoors.

• eFoils like the Flitescooter 237 liter are easy to use, and suitable for any age or fitness level.

• The Flite AIR is an easy yet slightly challenging eFoil for those seeking a smaller board.

• Beginners should start with easy-to-use wings like the Cruiser Jet 1500 or Cruiser 1800, which are stable and take flight at slow speeds.

Do I have to be fit to eFoil? 

If you can swim and balance on a stand-up paddle board, you should be able to eFoil. It’s a low-impact activity that requires no strength and little physicality. There are different styles of eFoils to cater to riders of varying ability levels and weights. For example, you could start on a large eFoil with handlebars like the Flitescooter. This electric hydrofoil board has 237L and will allow most riders to stand and balance with ease.

For perspective, someone young and athletic would opt for a small, low-volume eFoil board in the range of 49L to 67L. Boards like the Ultra L2 or the Fliteboard PRO are high-performance and require balance. 

A large, high-volume electric hydrofoil board with handlebars will help with balance and allow you to stand in a forward position like riding skis. The extra points of contact take the physicality out of the equation and make the experience of learning to eFoil easy and fun. There will be fewer falls, and the handlebars will let riders direct the foil away from them while keeping the board close for less swimming. 

eFoil boards like the Flitescooter are incredibly user-friendly, making them perfect for guided tours in Santa Rosa Beach and Fort Walton on the Emerald Coast of Florida. Some riders choose to stay grounded on the hydrofoil, while others achieve their first flight right away with the right tool. We’ve had the pleasure of teaching eFoil lessons with large inflatable eFoil boards called the Fliteboard AIR, and we’ve seen students of all ages achieve their first flight and fall in love with the sport of eFoiling. So, no matter your age, you too can master eFoiling and experience the thrill of flying above the water. 

• If you can swim and balance on a stand-up paddle board, you should be able to eFoil.

• eFoiling is a low-impact activity that requires no strength and little physicality.

• Different styles of eFoils cater to riders of varying ability levels and weights.

• Beginners can start on a large eFoil with handlebars like the Flitescooter, which has 237L for easy standing and balancing.

• Young, athletic riders might prefer small, low-volume eFoil boards (49L to 67L) like the Ultra L2 or Fliteboard PRO, which are high-performance and require balance.

Can children use an eFoil? How young is too young to eFoil? 

Most manufacturers recommend that children no younger than 16 use an eFoil. Ultimately, it comes down to the parent’s decision and the child’s maturity and size. You can use some simple logic to decide for yourself. Is your child able to stay focused for half an hour? Will they respect the space of other people and watercraft? Will they follow general safety rules? These are the kinds of questions you will need to consider. eFoils are motorized watercraft that come with certain responsibilities. 

eFoils are safe, but like any sport, there are some inherent risks. With proper caution and the right equipment, you can mitigate most of the risks. For example, an inflatable eFoil board like the Fliteboard AIR is soft and forgiving for falls. You could pair this with a safe propulsion system like the Flitejet with no moving propellors. If you decide to let your kids eFoil, it is recommended that you only do so under adult supervision. 

Where can I take eFoil lessons for seniors in Florida?

We teach eFoil lessons to everyone of any age in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and along the Emerald Coast. The Gulf waters here are a beautiful shade of emerald and blue, and the dune lakes are smooth and forgiving for tour and eFoil lessons. 

If you have any questions about eFoils or need help deciding which is best for you, call (850) 400-8500 or email us at info@emeraldwake.com for a custom recommendation. We offer eFoil lessons, guided eFoil tours, eFoil demos, storage and delivery options for your eFoils, and more.