Feb 22, 2022
The Swedish electric surfboard company Awake has launched (possibly) the most extreme electric surfboard to date. The Awake RÄVIK S 22 is pushing the boundaries of what e-surfboards can do.
According to the company, this new board is “an even more perfected version of our original RÄVIK S”, which debuted in 2020. However, this new board retains the foundation of the original, like its W-shaped hull, linear jet system and lithium battery system.
Other parts of the board have been re-engineered to gain more power, thrust and an overall better surfing experience. Now this board can reach a top speed of up to 35 mph, or 56 km/h. They also have a battery life of 15- 20 minutes and require a charging time of 1 hour and 20 minutes.
“For me, as a quite heavy rider - at about 100 kg - you can definitely feel the additional thrust, instant throttle response and extra speed. The RÄVIK S 22, is definitely helping to bring my carving and control abilities to the next level and will enable all Awake riders to push the sport even further than backflips this year.” -Phillip Werner, Awake’s co-founder and Chief Innovator
Related article: The ultimate windsurfing guide to get started
An electric surfboard, or e-surfboard, is a board that uses an electric motor and a rechargeable battery to push the rider through the water. It is designed for gliding over the water while achieving great speeds without the need of waves.
They resemble traditional surfboards in structure and design, however, they feature an independent power source. These come in one of two ways: the use of a jetstream or a propeller.
As it is powered by a lithium-ion battery, it is activated when pressing on a button or in some cases by remote controller. Electric powered surfboards are easy to maintain. Its motor is typically placed at the back of the electric surfboard as the propulsion will push the board forward.
The first-ever electric surfboard was built in Australia, 1935. The “Surf Scooter'' was a motorized surfboard with the purpose of helping lifeguards rescue drowning swimmers on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The project was however abandoned after the first tests, hibernating for 25 years.
In 1960, American watersport entrepreneur Hobart Alter developed a surfboard with an outboard motor. Then, in the 2000s, an attempted market for a jet-assisted surfboard was designed, but it would still need to wait 10 more years to capture the interest of water sport enthusiasts.
Now, they are intuitive, versatile and fun and the rider’s weight is no longer an issue as it can bring riders up to 90kg to full plaining in no time. They are easier than riding a jet ski and can be used in open ocean waves, big waves or calm lakes.
As a new industry on the rise, prices are understandably expensive. For instance, the Awake RAVIK S 22 is priced at €12,900 with the standard battery, or an extra €3,000 for the longer-range battery. As shocking as it may sound, Micah Toll claims prices have gone down considerably during the last few years.
At first Awake boards were priced at €18,900, and progressively they have been getting cheaper. Moreover, Awake boards are faster than Tesla’s surfboards. Some time ago, the automobile leader Tesla started getting involved in the surfboard industry:
“Designed by the Tesla Design Studio in collaboration with Lost Surfboards and Matt “Mayhem” Biolos, surfboard shaper for World Surf League Championship athletes. The Limited Edition Tesla Surfboard features a mix of the same high-quality matte and gloss finishes used on all our cars. The deck is reinforced with light-weight “Black Dart” carbon fiber, inspired by the interiors in our cars, and featuring tonal logos in subtle contrast gloss.”
Here is a pic of what the Tesla surfboard looks like:
There are also inflatable electric surfboards ,electric hydrofoil and jet boards on the market. Would you like to ride on an electric surfboard? If so, we would love hearing about it: drop us a message on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.