In order to get to e-foils, someone had to come up with foils. These worked by harnessing the kinetic energy of the underwater swell.

What does hydroptere mean? In Greek, hydros means “water” and ptère “wing” … yes, it is a question of a hybrid device combining aeronautics and maritime science. By means of a set of submerged wings – also called foils – the hull of a boat rises and stays balanced out of the water from a certain speed. The lift of the foils makes it possible to limit the surface in contact with the water and to reduce the friction of the waves. The water that acted as a brake becomes only a support.

Hydrofoils have been around in one form since before 1861 when the British Thomas Moy discovered the principle of hydrofoil trying to test the wings planned for the first aircraft. It continues with many engineers who improved the original models and patents. In 1984, the American William Meacham equips a model of 5 foils and in 1897, the Count of Lambert adds four transverse planes to a catamaran. In 2012 Sailrocket II broke the previous word speed record and set a new benchmark at 64,45 knots.

Ahead of his time was Enrico Forlanini, who in 1905 designed the first real hydrofoil reaching 36,9 knots (70km /h). 

By 1908, Alexander Graham Bell and Casey Baldwin were playing around with the idea for boats. Fifteen years later, the first patent is filed by brothers Malcolm and Thomas McIntyre.

Hydrofoils have been around in one form since before 1898 when Italian engineer Enrico Forlanini filed the first patent. 

Later, tow-in surfers like Laird Hamilton figured out how to use the underswell to get moving. Mango Carafino, another big-wave surfer, designed some of the first Hydrofoils and brought them to market.