Riders' stories - The stories of the first PWR-Foil riders
During Riders' Days, we'll be showcasing the "Riders' Stories", a series of stories told after the purchase of a PWR-Foil e-foil. For 4 days, experience the beginnings of the PWR-Foil family through their stories.
Just like a kid!
I had a jetsurf, which was fun, but my dream since I was a kid was to fly over water...
One day, I discovered on the internet that I must not be the only one with this dream! Some people had just invented the efoil. There were very few brands at the time and after looking at them all, I chose PWR-Foil because it was French. I was really pleased that a French company had developed this. I bought my first 5'9 blue e-foil with a classic battery from PWR-Foil without hesitation.
I'd devoured all Chris's video tutorials to understand the steps involved in getting up. I started on my stomach and very quickly - in 15 minutes - I was on my feet! The teacher is good, even on video!
I was flying... well I was flying... like a dolphin, I was taking off, I was touching, I was taking off, I was touching... but I was flying... I remember screaming with joy, I had tears in my eyes... it was a really moving moment for me. I felt like I was levitating... Just talking about it today brings tears to my eyes again. It's addictive! I do efoil every day, whatever the weather, when I'm not out and about. Every day I feel the same excitement as a kid at Christmas. There's not an evening when I forget to charge my battery before going to bed. Every morning after breakfast, I need my sunrise outing: my morning pleasure!
I quickly became the Surfer d'Argent in Bastia - that's how people refer to me. During a report on Va Stella (France 3 Corsica) that had nothing to do with me, I found myself efoiler by chance in the framing, it increased my fame and made a nice publicity stunt for PWR-Foil in Corsica!
After the beautiful rides, I wanted to test myself against the big swells. You always want to go further, to push the limits you've just reached. So I headed for Pietra Corbara! What a feeling to ride the waves electrically and then experiment with the lift of the foil and surf.
I ditched my beautiful blue one in favour of a 5'2 Pro Carbon with a long range. The long range... Waow!!! I'm finding it hard to get out of the water unless I'm forced to by my battery? My morning runs are getting longer and longer... and now I'm even adding long sunset runs to my dawn runs!
And the Pro Carbon, what a treat. I love the material, which I find very noble and classy. I'm pushing the sport a little further, with beautiful curves, little jumps, surfing... There are so many rides. It's much more uncompromising, and helps me to progress every day and discover new sensations.
My best anecdote?
One morning, 2 dolphins came with me. They approached me, curious, and stayed for a few minutes playing around the foil, jumping around my board, before returning to the depths. A suspended moment. Calm. Osmosis. Magic... Alone, smooth sea.
It made my day... my life even!
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I discovered PWR-Foil four or five years ago, thanks to a friend who used to ride.
He mastered the discipline, which made me want to try it. Flying over water seemed like magic to me. So yes, it's true that I got interested very quickly. He let me try his board and it was absolute bliss. It's true that when I first bought it, it was important for me to get to know all the people who were going to build this incredible machine. And I discovered a fabulous, motivated and passionate team. It's true that you have to share that passion, and the results are there. Proximity was an important factor for me. My first experience, my first time on the board, I have to admit that I didn't stay long.
But very quickly, it did because once you've done a bit of board sports, it comes on very quickly and becomes truly magical. The sensation of flying on water is really the ultimate sensation, the one that takes precedence.There's no noise, no sound. Just a feeling of lightness that gives you that sensation of flying. It's truly magical, something to be experienced and unique. As for the use of the e-foil, it's mainly in the summer, the machine runs non-stop. It doesn't stop. We go out riding for a session of 1 hour and a half to 2 hours and we ride 2 or 3 times a day! We're really addicted to the PWR-Foil e-foil. It's the highlight of the summer. And then there's the pleasure of riding on the sea, in our Catalan coves, in the most unlikely places, with the flying fish all around us doing a bit of the route with us, this transparent sea where you can see all the seabed, it's timeless! It's just magical. It's a moment to experience and places where you can't necessarily get to by boat, where you have the feeling of being really alone in the world, of being up in the air and alone in the world. It's a feeling of complete freedom. My first board was family-oriented, a bit big so that everyone could do it, so that it was accessible and easy to use. And I still have this equipment, which I'm thinking of upgrading. So yes, this sport is definitely to be recommended.
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Sailing between Dubai and Portugal
Then, after a visit to the Paris Boat Show in December 2020, I came across your stand and got to know you. From there I kept in touch with you and a few weeks later I placed an order.
It was my Christmas present, let's put it that way. So why PWR-Foil and not someone else, quite simply out of pure affection for the concept.
I liked the way it was explained to me throughout the manufacturing process that it was French, it was a French product.
I also wanted to help develop a French product instead of buying other brands that were on the market.
And then I felt a relationship of trust too, so that gave me confidence.
Because when you're at a distance like that in Dubai, buying equipment was a bit scary, I admit. But in the end, despite all our problems, things went really well and it was a good experience.
I still enjoy it when I can, at the weekend or in the morning, very early when the sea is very flat, I take my equipment and go sailing for a while.
It's quite relaxing, it's pleasant, it feels good. It's great when the sea is flat, it feels better.
I started off really basic, on my knees, I crashed a few times and fell. At first, it was more like diving lessons than anything else. But after a couple of sessions, I think, I gained confidence and then that was it. The height was a bit more complicated, but I got the hang of it. But Dubai really is an ideal place to start out.
So I divide my time between two countries. So I'm lucky enough to be able to travel between Dubai and Portugal. On average, I spend a fortnight in each country.
And so I have the opportunity, especially in the summer when I spend more time in Portugal, to be able to sail, to take my e-foil with me. That makes the experience a little more difficult, at least to start with. But after that, you have a lot more fun because it's a sea where there are waves, where you can try to evolve.
You can, you can do other things.
In Dubai, it's mainly for cruising, but it's difficult to evolve. In Portugal, it's more interesting to catch waves. It's two completely different experiences. My level allows me to do it today, so I'm getting there. I'm pretty stable on my board, I sail well, I'm starting to catch a few waves because it's true that I sail more in Dubai than in Portugal. But I've really started to ride waves this summer, although they're still small waves.
To be clearer on that, there's a well-known spot in Portugal called the Guincho (Cascaïs, Lisbon). I haven't been there yet but the waves are magnificent, they break very well and I don't think I'll be going there any time soon, although, otherwise, there are other fairly interesting spots in the region where you can catch waves and really have fun, and without any danger. We get a bit mixed up with the stand-up paddlers, but it's all good, we understand each other and it's great fun. One of the unique sensations I was able to share in Dubai thanks to the e-foil was sailing with turtles.
Because here in Dubai, there are big turtles, and every so often they release them into the sea, they put them in the sea and they wander around. They're not vicious, they don't do any harm, but it's impressive.
It's a pleasure to watch them evolve underwater, they're almost at my side, they don't make any sudden movements, it's really great, a great feeling!
The e-foil allows me not only to sail and enjoy myself, but also to share it with my friends, who are all curious. Some of them want to try it before investing, which is normal. They ask me if they can try out my board and it's a great pleasure.
My friend, who took to the water last week for his second e-foil session, is making good progress. It's true that he's at an advantage because he practices kitesurfing and foiling, which gives him a certain amount of experience. However, using a motor requires different management than using a kite. After just two sessions, he was standing upright, gliding over the water. We'll see about the turns later, but I think that in two or three sessions, he'll be able to take advantage of them. And it's this speed of learning that appeals to people.
I've lent him my e-foil with all the necessary equipment and all the safety instructions that go with it. What's also funny is that when I leave the water, people come up to me, they're intrigued, curious and ask me what this thing is. They ask lots of questions, which I'm happy to answer. People are quite interested!
A limited edition efoil... in blue, of course!
To showcase our riders, we're marking the occasion by offering a very limited edition in the colours of these Riders' Days. Buy the complete efoil pack with Long Range battery and get a €400 discount. What's more, 5% of your purchase will be donated to Sea Shepherd, the ocean protection NGO that works independently on a daily basis to ensure that the oceans receive the respect they deserve. Request a quote HERE.
And as we couldn't reveal all our shades of blue in one go, we're saving a few surprises for the days to come :)
We look forward to seeing you on the 25th :)
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Greater proximity between PWR-Foil and the Riders!
