Efoil Sarasota: My 2025 Fly Above Water Experience Review

You know, I had seen videos of these things online, people just gliding over the water like something from a science fiction movie. So, when I found out about the ‘Fly Above Water!’ e-foil experience here in Sarasota, I pretty much had to try it. An e-foil is, basically, an electric surfboard with a big fin underneath that lifts you out of the water. Honestly, I was a bit nervous at first. It just looks like it would be hard to do. Still, I figured, what’s the worst that could happen? So, you know, I went ahead and booked it for a sunny Tuesday morning, hoping for the best. The whole idea of flying over the waves, at the end of the day, was just too cool to pass up.

First Impressions: Arriving at the Sarasota Waterfront

So, the meeting spot was over by Lido Key, which is already a really beautiful place. The water that morning had this incredible clear, green quality to it, and it was almost perfectly calm. Frankly, that made me feel a little better. As I was saying, walking up, you can see the boards laid out on the sand, and they definitely look even more futuristic in person. They are really sleek and, you know, just don’t look like a normal surfboard at all. My guide, a fellow named Jake, came over and introduced himself right away. Seriously, his attitude was super relaxed and friendly, which pretty much put my worries to rest almost immediately.

Jake, actually, had this way of explaining things that made you feel like you were just chatting with a friend who happens to know a lot about e-foiling. He didn’t use a lot of complicated words or anything. He just sort of pointed at the board and the remote and started talking. The group was small, which was a huge relief, honestly. There were just two other people besides me. So it seemed like we would each get a lot of personal attention, you know. I mean, I really liked that part. At the end of the day, it’s better than being lost in a big crowd, especially when you are trying something new and, frankly, a little intimidating.

The Land-Based Lesson: Getting Your Bearings

Okay, so before we could even touch the water, Jake gave us a land-based talk. He laid a board on the sand and, basically, showed us the main parts. There’s the board itself, then the mast and hydrofoil underneath, and a little handheld remote. This remote, as a matter of fact, is your throttle. It’s wireless and has a trigger that you squeeze to control your speed. It felt surprisingly simple in my hand. He showed us how to position our bodies on the board, starting on our bellies and then working up to our knees and, finally, to a standing position. It seemed pretty logical when he explained it on dry land, anyway.

He really spent a good amount of time on how to shift your weight. Apparently, that is the most important part of steering and controlling the board once you’re up and flying. He made us practice the motion on the sand. You kind of have to put more pressure on your front foot to keep the board down and then ease back just a little to get it to lift. To be honest, it felt a little awkward just standing there on the beach pretending to be on the water. But, in other words, it was clearly useful information to have before we got wet. He also covered what to do when you fall, which is basically to just let go of the board and fall away from it. This part, you know, seemed like something I would get a lot of practice with.

Into the Water: From Belly to Flight

Finally, we were in the water. It was just a little cool but felt really good. Jake had us start out by lying on our stomachs on the board, you know, just to get a feel for it. I squeezed the trigger on the remote, and the board, well, it just started moving forward with this quiet electric hum. It was a really strange feeling, just gliding along so smoothly. The board itself is super stable, more or less, so this first step was surprisingly easy. You sort of steer by shifting your weight around, even when you’re on your belly.

The next step was getting to your knees, which was, you know, a bit more of a challenge. You have to go slow and steady. My first try, I gave it a little too much throttle and wobbled right off into the water. But the water was warm, and I just got back on. Jake was right there, by the way, offering advice. “Just a little less power,” he said. So, on the second try, I went much slower and managed to get to my knees. From there, you really start to feel the potential. You can cruise around and make turns. I spent a good ten minutes just doing that, getting comfortable. As a matter of fact, it was fun enough just riding on my knees. Still, the goal was to fly.

The Magical Moment: Actually Flying Above the Water

Alright, so this is the part you really want to hear about. Standing up. Jake told me to get a little bit of speed going while on my knees and then, in one smooth move, bring one foot up and then the other. Honestly, I fell. A lot. It’s a very different balance from a surfboard because you’re also controlling the speed with your hand. On my third or fourth try, though, something just clicked. I was standing, you know, actually standing on the board and cruising along the surface of the water. That was an amazing feeling by itself.

But then, Jake yelled over, “Okay, now slowly shift your weight back!” So, I did. I leaned back just a little, and it’s almost like nothing you can describe. The board just lifted. It went completely silent. You know, that’s the thing that gets you. The sound of the water slapping against the board just disappears. And then, you’re flying. Actually flying about a foot over the water. The feeling of speed is incredible, yet it’s so smooth and peaceful. I could see the bottom of the bay passing underneath me. I just cruised around like that for what felt like an eternity, completely blown away. It’s arguably one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

“That moment the board lifts out of the water is pure magic. Honestly, the world just goes silent, and you are gliding through the air. It feels like a superpower, just for a little while.”

Who Is This For? Tips and Recommendations

So, you might be wondering if this is for you. To be honest, I think almost anyone could do this with a bit of patience. You don’t have to be some kind of super athlete. The guide was clear that people of all ages and fitness levels have managed to do it. It just might take some people a few more tries to stand up. If you’ve ever tried surfing, skateboarding, or snowboarding, you’ll probably pick it up a little quicker, you know, because you already have some board sense. But, seriously, even if you haven’t, the instruction is really good.

Here are a few things I learned that could be useful. Definitely wear comfortable swimwear and maybe a rash guard for sun protection. Speaking of the sun, you are completely exposed out there on the water, so waterproof sunscreen is your best friend. Also, a hat that won’t fly off is a good idea, as is a pair of sunglasses with a strap. Staying hydrated is important too; you’re working harder than you think. I’d recommend booking a morning session, frankly, because the water tends to be much calmer, which makes learning a lot easier.

Quick Takeaways

• You Can Do It: Don’t be too worried if you are not a natural athlete; it’s very learnable for most people.
• Instructors Matter: The person teaching me was just so calm and clear, which made a huge difference, really.
• The Feeling is Unique: It’s not like surfing or wakeboarding. The silent gliding, you know, is something else entirely.
• Go in the Morning: The water is often like glass early in the day, which helps a lot when you’re just learning the ropes.
• Prepare for Sun: Sunscreen and protection are pretty much mandatory for this kind of water activity.

At the end of the day, my review of the Sarasota e-foil experience is overwhelmingly positive. It’s a very special and unique way to see the beautiful coastline here and an activity that leaves you feeling pretty incredible. It is definitely an adventure worth trying if you are looking for something a bit different to do.

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