On the Water with Lake Life Efoils

Get to know one of the newest (and coolest) waterspouts

If you’ve ever been out on the water and seen someone gliding past on what looks like a floating surfboard, you’ve encountered an eFoil.

This watersport is a relatively new one, but offers a way for people to get out on the water and cruise, no boat required. Paul and Sara Andrus began Lake Life Efoils with the intention of teaching eFoil lessons and helping more people become familiar with the sport. The company has grown in the five years since it first launched, offering more eFoils, better equipment, and even group lessons.

“When we started Lake Life Efoils in 2021, not many people knew what an eFoil was, but they seemed intrigued. Now, the sport has grown enough that people will recognize the eFoil and know enough to ask about the brand, model, and how it works,” Paul says.

The first year, Paul and Sara opened their business with two eFoils for lessons, which they taught themselves. Now, they have full-time and part-time instructors on staff, six eFoils, headsets, wetsuits, and other training aids.

“Group lessons have become our sweet spot,” Paul says. “We’ve gained a lot of knowledge over the years of how to provide the best possible eFoil experience here in northern Michigan.”

Paul and Sara were inspired to start the business while looking for a way to share their own love for the outdoors and our scenic waterways with others. It’s grown into more than just a business, allowing them to connect with the local community and meet fellow adventure-seekers in the area. Both avid kiteboarders, the duo travel around the world chasing the perfect wind and kiteboarding conditions. When they’re home and those conditions aren’t available, it’s usually great weather for foiling.

“It’s hard to rely on Mother Nature all the time for a sport and to find the perfect locations to teach kiteboarding,” Paul says. “Foiling is big in the kiteboarding world, so this allows us to still be part of that community through our business.”

In addition to owning and operating Lake Life Efoils with Sara, Paul is a shop rep for Stoke Riders Kite school and kite shop based in St. Joseph, Michigan, a brand ambassador for North Kiteboarding and Mystic kiteboarding, and he and Sara sponsor kiteboard events with Lake Life Efoils when possible.

“We both have a passion for being outside and on the water. We never really considered how that passion would spill over into our business but it obviously has. Each year, the long cold winter motivates us to make the most of our summer season.”

The Tech

One thing that sets eFoils apart from other popular watersports is the technology. While sports like wakesurfing, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, kiteboarding, water skiing, and kneeboarding all use equipment without any high tech (but may rely on other elements like a boat), eFoils have combined electronics with watersports.

“People have gotten used to electric scooters, ebikes, onewheels, etc. … and we’re glad to see that eFoils have become part of that conversation,” Paul says. “The most common questions we get are about the batteries on the eFoils. How long they last, how quickly they charge, how much they weigh, whether they’re waterproof, and so on. People seem to understand that the batteries and overall technology of eFoils is advancing rapidly.”

The Cost

Similar to any other electronic element in a sport, cost is a huge factor when it comes to eFoils. Different options and brands can have an incredible range, starting at $5,000 on the low end and approaching $25,000 for new setups. Lake Life has been with Lift Foils for the last five years, which generally run between $11,000–$16,000 for a new setup and are considered top of the market.

This year, Lake Life partnered with another eFoil company called Waydoo, which cost less at $5,000–10,000 per setup but are still comparable to more expensive brands. Like ebikes, as the technology evolves and improves, the cost decreases.

“Now we’re able to offer our customers a variety of options, with different brands, models, and price points. We offer lessons on both brands to give our customers a better experience and to provide them with options if they’re interested in purchasing an eFoil of their own,” Paul says.

The Safety Rules

Safety is, of course, an important consideration for anyone looking for lessons or to purchase an eFoil. Lake Life uses models with prop guards and a training aid called a Blowfish. This inflatable attachment makes the eFoil more buoyant, easier to ride, and safer all around.

In addition to the training aids, all participants in lessons are given USGC-approved lifejackets, whistles, helmets with headsets, wetsuits, and land training beforehand that includes safety protocols and equipment information.

Despite all that, learning to ride an eFoil is easier than it looks, according to Paul.

“As a student, you really only need to learn how to use the remote to control your speed and make sure you have the correct body position. After that, progression begins almost immediately. We offer two-hour lessons and most students get the hang of foiling within the first lesson. They start on their knees to get a feeling of the hydrofoil wing at work; from there we encourage them to stand up, then once they’re comfortable with that we work on standing and foiling simultaneously.”

The Lessons

Lessons are the primary focus of Lake Life.

“We really want to share the experience of eFoiling with anyone who has ever considered trying one. It’s a more accessible sport than people think, and one good lesson can teach someone enough to learn the sport and have a great time out on the water,” Paul explains.

He adds that “the best part about lessons is being there with a student when they accomplish something they didn’t think they were going to. It’s awesome to watch people learn something new and buzz about the experience.”

Any board sport experience is a plus, though eFoiling does work a little differently than some other watersports. Whereas sports like kiteboarding, wakeboarding, and waterskiing all require leaning back to maintain balance while being pulled, foiling requires the user to lean forward. The closest comparison, Paul says, is wakesurfing, since both sports involve the same movement and balance.

The Andruses have several repeat students who have returned to them to better master the eFoil.

“We are so grateful to everyone in the community that has supported us, come out to take a lesson, and helped our business grow by spreading the word. It’s become so much more than we anticipated, and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead for us,” Paul concludes.

To book a lesson with Lake Life Efoils, check out their schedule online at lakelifeefoils.com.

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