What Is eFoil Racing? A Beginner’s Guide
Learn what eFoil racing is, how race formats work, what equipment riders use, and how Apex250 creates a GPS-timed 250m out-and-back challenge.
What is an eFoil?
An eFoil is an electric hydrofoil board. A battery powers a motor mounted below the water, while a hydrofoil wing lifts the board above the surface as speed increases. Once flying, the board travels with much less contact with the water than a conventional board.
eFoil racing takes that riding experience and adds a measurable objective. Riders may compete around physical buoys, over a fixed distance, on a slalom course or against a GPS-timed virtual course.
How eFoil racing works
The exact format depends on the event. A traditional race can place several riders on the same marked course. A time-trial format lets riders complete the course separately and compare elapsed times afterward.
A GPS-based challenge has an important advantage: riders in different locations can attempt the same format without transporting buoys or arranging a full race event. The course rules must still be clear enough for results to be comparable.
The Apex250 race format
Apex250 uses a 250-metre out-and-back challenge. The rider builds speed, rides a valid outbound section, performs an approximately 180-degree apex turn, and races back through a virtual finish.
- Prepare: start the app and make sure it has a reliable GPS position.
- Build speed: ride above the minimum speed while the app collects the required movement history.
- Complete the outbound: establish a sufficiently straight 250-metre approach.
- Turn: perform a clear 180-degree apex turn.
- Return: race back through the virtual finish to complete the timed run.
Apex250 is designed to detect the important parts of the run automatically, so the rider can keep the phone safely stored.
What equipment do you need?
You need an eFoil, appropriate safety equipment, a suitable riding area and a supported phone running Apex250. The phone’s internal GPS can be used. Compatible external GPS devices can provide more frequent position samples, which may be useful for more detailed timing and turn analysis.
Always follow local rules and choose open water with enough room, good visibility and no conflict with swimmers, boats or other water users.
What makes a fast eFoil race run?
Maximum speed matters, but it is not the only factor. A rider can lose a large amount of time by entering the turn poorly, making the turn too wide, slowing down too much or returning on an inefficient line.
- A stable and fast outbound approach
- A decisive but controlled apex turn
- Good speed retention through the turn
- A direct return line toward the virtual finish
- Reliable GPS reception throughout the attempt
Why use a leaderboard?
A public leaderboard turns an individual run into a shared competition. Apex250 rider pages and run pages make it possible to compare personal bests, times, speed, countries and board information. Riders can compete globally while still riding on their own local water.
See the current global eFoil racing leaderboard, or read how the Apex250 race format works.
Is eFoil racing suitable for beginners?
New riders should first become fully comfortable with starting, stopping, turning and controlling height. Racing adds speed and pressure, so it should only be attempted after the rider has reliable control of the board. Begin with wide, controlled turns and prioritize safety over the stopwatch.
Ready to race your eFoil?
Apex250 automatically times a 250-metre out-and-back run and lets you compare your result on the global leaderboard.