<
Efoil Carver : for those who are looking for engaged turns
Efoil Carver : for those who are looking for engaged turns
Sylvain Aurenche's interview for Foiling Magazine
Hi Sylvain! We're looking forward to getting a chance to ride the new Carver Efoil at some stage. How has the response been so far ?
The Cruising was released in 2019, then came the Carver this summer, and there was a lot of anticipation! We ran out of stock from the beginning, and it's still a mission to be able to produce enough boards to satisfy the demand.
The Carver is a carbon-sandwich board (saving weight and improving reactivity), with a slightly longer mast, two battery options, and the options of smaller wings.
The Carver is the Efoil model made for riders who are looking for engaged turns. We think we made the right move in taking our time before putting it on the market. It is truly a fantastic Efoil, perfectly accomplished by our R&D team.
Is the Carver compatible with your new Kujira foil too ?
Yes, you can use a Kujira Foil instead of the LOL Pro Foil that's delivered with the Carver. The Kujira foil was designed by Laurent Borgna, well known for having already shaken things up in the foiling world with his work on the LOL Pro Foil range, and Cyril Coste, the founder of Takuma.
The revolutionary tubercle design is inspired by the pectoral fin of humpback whales who are known for their agility, power and efficiency. The shape of the Kujira makes it complementary to the LOL Pro Foil models, it pushes the limits of the Carver Efoil in reactivity, speed, as well as control.
This foil is a beauty, it is a clear revolution for the industry and a fantastic evolution for all board-foiling activities. A new chapter has opened!
How does the more compact board improve the riding experience ?
First of all, you have a carbon construction (improving weight and rigidity), then having a shorter board (5'3 instead of the 6'4 that comes with the Cruising) offers maneuverability in the turns as well as when you drive straight lines in open water swell.
What range can we expect out of the different battery options available ?
Some of us want the lightest possible battery, others are more focused on the flying time, so by proposing different options allowed us to satisfy all.
With the 20A you'll ride 40 minutes, with the 35A you'll ride up to 90 minutes. A beginner will use more energy as the board will be flying less - this is demanding on the battery as your board drags on the water (like a boat), then as you learn to fly there is way less effort, and you'll need less energy from the battery to reach an equivalent speed.
Then as you improve, riding at the right angle on the foil, optimizing your weight placement and just generally using the remote control less will mean even longer battery life.
What waterproofing technology have you used to protect all those different components ?
That's a bit of a secret, but we took the "problem" and used it to our advantage. We could have decided to make a waterproof compartment, but let's remember we stand on the deck - at first It might be all waterproof, but as you use it more and more, materials will move, so the lid will move a little over time and then you will have water coming in.
We decided to design a perfectly waterproofed ESC which is the same for the battery as well as the connectors. It allows water to get in, creating a natural cooling system, and then as you start to move the water drains out through an opening created specifically for this effect.
Who's your average foil customer ?
This is the best and most difficult question to answer. But basically: everyone! The Efoil is an incredible open door to all other foiling activities. You don't need to be an experienced water person, not even an athletic person, you don't have to be born with specific physical aptitudes.
Be you, step into an Efoil club and learn with an experienced team. Then if you want to carve and ride aggressively you find the right spot and the right model, and it's show time! The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone on the water... respect others and have fun!