Hey Rienk,
Sounds interesting. I guess the 6 km/h speed limit in your area is for all objects on the water, right? Do you have a section nearby where this is not the case?
Nice that they were this interested and helpful.
Yes it is 6km/h here everywhere. I can also go to the river, it is only a few km away from home. But there is more trafic so I like to efoil in the channel where I can jump in from the backyard.
German dudes,
I think I owe you an update on my recent water police encounters.
Was giving a lesson to a new efoil enthusiast and was stopped once more. This time by the undercover water police (yes they exist). But this time I came prepared, I had printed out the letter from Andreas from e-Surfer stating that the Bundeswasserstrassenamt categorizes efoils as Kleinwasserfahrzeug (basically small boats) and was free to continue foiling as I pleased.
This feels like a massive win!
Basically we are allowed to foil circles around the other boats.
At least on Bundeswasserstrassen that is. Lakes are a different issue still.
3 Likes
Hi Bernd,
this are great news. Can you share that letter please?
I copy&pasted from e-surfer into word. Will laminate the page soon. (Got stopped 3 times this year so far.)
Somewhere in the middle number 1 for Germany…
4 Likes
Thx! I actually have an IBS (internationaler Bootsschein) for my efoil. From ADAC. This will help to argue to ride a “small boat”. Where did your policeman encounters take place?
Cheers
Not sure your ADAC registration helps. (And my board is officially registered as well, but that doesn’t help either)
Key question is whether efoils are Wassermotorräder (closest to PWCs for the English speaking readers here).
ADAC states:
“ Ausnahmen* Wassermotorräder: Diese müssen für Fahrten innerhalb Deutschlands ein amtliches Kennzeichen eines Wasser- und Schifffahrtsamtes führen.”
Amt für Wasserstraßen Münster says they aren’t though. Which is good news. I did get a ticket in the past for being a Wassermotorrad.
Water police encounters so far:
- Dämmeritzsee with friendly reminder to register but no fine
- Seddinsee now registered but still 55EUR fine for being a PWC not holding a straight course
- Müggelsee No fine all good
(all part of Bundeswasserstrasse, all close to/in Berlin area)
2 Likes
i am moving to kaui - and wondering about the same thing,
before i purchase, *( also r u the person that i spoke with on kaui about lesson ?
i am excited about trying it.
Hi.
By “Kaui” do you mean the island of Kauai, in Hawaii?
I am on the island of Oahu. I know a guy named Rohn on Kauai with a Lift e-foil. But, I don’t know if that’s who you were talking to.
Hi there,
Seems there was no update here since almost one year. Any further information from other parts of the world?
Thanks
Andreas
Transport Canada posted this “Safety Reminder” in November 2019: https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/safety-reminder
eFoils were discussed in a session during Transport Canada’s November 2020 meeting, however any changes to the 20+ year old antiquated laws will take considerable time/effort - but we have contact with someone within TC who is positive towards the technology/sport.
Recording of the session here - includes a presentation from Nick at Lift: Dropbox - TC CMAC Meeting 20201112 eFoil.mp4 - Simplify your life
Here is a deck we put together to help build public and governmental awareness and support on updating these laws: Dropbox - eFoil Safety in Canada - November 2020.pdf - Simplify your life
Our Canadian eFoilers Facebook group has also had some active discussion: Redirecting...
Hallo Andreas,
Ich habe auf eurer E-Surfer Website rauslesen können, dass:
Efoils als Kleinfahrzeug und
Jetsurfboards als Wassermotorrad
Eingestuft werden.
Kannst du mir sagen wie es mit Surfbrettern aussieht, die mit einer Schraube angetrieben werden (wie z.B. die Waterwolf Boards).
Vielen Dank
Timo
Gute Frage. Ich habe das Waterwolf Board nicht mehr explizit angefragt, da es ja im Moment nicht mehr verfügbar ist. Könnte beides sein. Aufgrund des Propellers ist der Waterwolf leiser als ein Jetboard, aber er produziert genauso Wellenschlag. Ich weiß nicht genau, ob es vom Jetantrieb abhängig gemacht wurde.
Greetings. I have been looking for updates on laws and regulations around the world. No one has commented on this thread for a couple of years. I doubt that is because all is right in the world of rules. I live in the state of Connecticut (CT) in the US on a large lake which is filled with powerboats and jet skis and wake surfers including some who foil behind the boat. I always ask first but the waksurfers have been very generous letting me play in their wakes. CT has an old law, written in 1987, banning certain “powered surfboards or waterskis.” Obviously it was written long before efoils existed. And the language is quite specific: to be banned a vessel is powered and 1)less than 24 inches wide OR 2) steerable only via the rider shifting weight. I have petitioned the state agency to update this old rule and also I am challenging the language because my board is greater than 24 inches wide and I can turn an efoil without toe or heal pressure, by twisting my torso/hips, sometimes called a shoulder turn. I realize that this may be difficult to prove to an obstinate agency. I am getting no help from Fliteboard which is a bit disappointing. What is the latest around the world?
In Canada as of today, efoils with propellers, shrouded or not are not legal for use anywhere in the country, potential $300 fine if caught using one, however they can be legally sold, you’ll just need to use it in another country ha! If propulsion is a true jet pump impeller design, no problemo to use. Current law is under review … don’t hold yor breath.
So my custom diy build will have a jet pump so i don’t get fined and can use to my hearts content!
Only problem with fully submerged pumps are that they lose tons of efficiency. They are designed to be most efficient at waterline or just above. Props definitely have the advantage here in terms of efficiency. But if you locate the pump on mast at the average waterline point, and not close to foils, it should help with that issue,
Something I’ve noticed is that there are some rental / lesson operations in canada using efoils. Wonder what their liability insurance is like for coverage of something illegal to use in Canada?
I’ll bet a mishap on a prop driven efoil with a customer would be a very bad thing for the company, and not be covered, possibly bankrupting the operation.
1 Like
I was wondering what the situation was for tow boogie in lakes, specifically in Lake Zurich. I’m guessing they would see it the same way. I was thinking it could be argued that its an RC boat or sorts…
Here’s how it is: The law here says you’ve got to register your efoil, pay taxes, and slap a unique number on both sides of your board. But in reality, no one bothers. My friend got caught e-surfing by the cops, and all they did was tell him to wear a life jacket, nothing about registration. So, while the rules are strict, they’re barely enforced.
It would surprice me if swiss water police would let it through as an rc boat. Swiss regulation is strict, a vessel, board, etc. shorter than 2.5m is not allowed to be motorized, not even with an electric motor.
I’m from Canada and so have this stupid propeller law issue. I just cannot see why its such a big deal. There are way more dangerous open slicing things in our normal lives, chainsaws, lawnmowers, blenders, woodworking tools etc and on a and on.
I have not even come close to getting cut but if I do it is likely to be the TE of the foil.
Meanwhile jetskiis and speedboats rip and around drunk and reckless close to shore.
Have people been getting cut and sent to hospital at all???
I believe it’s intended for animals, not for humans.
