Foildrive demo and test weekend at Surfers Paradise

On 1 and 2 August, Surfers Paradise and l’APerçu are organising an Axis and Foildrive demo and test weekend.

Mark Shinn, ambassador for both Foildrive and Axis Europe, and a former world kitesurfing champion, is bringing a load of test equipment to the beach.

If you’d like to try out the new Axis Surge foil or the powerful Foildrive Fusion, do come along! All equipment will be available on both days from 11am to 5pm on Surfers Paradise beach in Knokke-Heist, whilst both Marc Shinn and local foil specialists will be on hand to offer advice and assistance. Everything can be tested completely free of charge.

Both experienced and novice foilers are welcome.

Foildriven is currently a rapidly growing member of the foil family. The correct name is actually “foil assist”.

On the mast, which is submerged, there is a propeller that is powered via Bluetooth by a remote controller held by the surfer. The difference compared to an e-foil, where the propeller remains submerged at all times, is that with the foil assist, the propeller provides just enough power and speed to lift the board onto the foil, causing the propeller to emerge from the water and cease propulsion. From that moment on, the surfer relies on the swell and waves of the sea and is, in effect, surfing weightlessly on the energy of the water. This naturally provides a magical experience that requires some practice, but once mastered, it is a very well-rounded sport in which the practitioner can put the art of “reading the sea” to good use.