Puerto Rico I Surfing with Electric Hydrofoil Surfboards

The West is Best

by LIANA LOZADA

Photos: Rodrigo Snaps+Inc.

Based in Isabela, Puerto Rico, lifetime surfer and engineer Nick Leason is the inventor of electric hydrofoil surfboards – eFoils – which are powered by propulsion and an underwater wing that allows the board to hover over the water’s surface. The dynamic design lets surfers hit the beach regardless of swell conditions.

Nick describes the experience as “serene” and “almost intuitive,” insisting he can get a novice standing and gliding in under 30 minutes. I caught up with him after the release of Lift Foils’ newest model to get his take on eFoiling and Puerto Rico’s magical west coast.

How does getting up on an eFoil differ from a surfboard?

It is really smooth because of the access to power. The idea is more yoga than surfing. [You] want to get centered and relax and then the board gets stable.

What makes Puerto Rico’s west coast unique?

It offers a surfing vibe not found on the rest of the island. The people here are more beach oriented, and it feels more country. As Jim Morrison said, “the west is the best.”

When is the best time to visit Puerto Rico’s west coast?

I recommend the wintertime. It’s the best time of year—clearer days with less rain and the best temperatures and humidity. As a surfer, this is the best season because we get winter swells from the North Atlantic. Summertime is typically flat water and good for wind sports.

What are your hopes for Puerto Rican tourism?

We need as much as we can get. I would like to see our local government invest more in the natural beauty and vegetation over cheap hotels and casinos. They should be looking to places like Costa Rica and Kauai as references. The island's natural beauty is the attraction; hopefully, we can preserve it and grow tourism around it.

What do you love about the island and building your company here?

I was born and raised here, so it always feels like home. Every land has its resonance, and I happen to like that Caribbean vibe. The sun is shining, the water is warm, the waves are good, and the people are friendly. That’s all I could ask for.

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