The 2025 season is history, and it was undoubtedly the most intense in the young history of eFoil racing. The eFoil Racing League has established itself as a global stage where not only technological boundaries have been pushed, but genuine rivalries have been born.

Let's take a look at the names that dominated the year—from the unbeatable pilots to the eFoil manufacturers who set the tone.

We recorded the following video in Dubai in November 2025 for our E-SURFER YouTube channel:

The battle of the giants: The top brands

The 2025 season saw a technological neck-and-neck race that was reminiscent of the great Formula 1 duels. The “brand ranking” was more than just a statistic; it was proof of reliability and speed.

The dominant forces in the field were:

1. Lift Foils: With the world championship title under its belt, Lift established itself as the brand for pure performance. Its team relied on aggressive strategies and technical precision.
2. Fliteboard: The eternal rival and market leader in innovation. Fliteboard remained extremely strong in team performance and fought Lift to the last buoy.
3. Aerofoils (Audi e-tron): German engineering shook up the field. Aerofoils made up ground, especially in the technical disciplines, and established itself firmly in the top 3.
4. And more: Manufacturers such as Awake Boards, Waydoo, and SiFly were also at the start. In 2025, these brands showed that they want to close the gap to the top, especially through strong individual performances in specific race formats.

It was a real success for the eFoil Racing League to be able to attract so many manufacturers to the races.

The heroes of the water: riders who made history

Of course, the best boards would be nothing without the athletes who master them. The 2025 rankings were led by riders who gave their all, both physically and tactically.

• Manel Arpa: The man of the hour. With incredible consistency, he secured the 2025 world title and proved that he has the best nerves under pressure.
• Clemens Kresser: The Austrian on the Audi e-tron foil is one of the few riders who uses foot straps during the race.
• Justin Chait: He went into the season as one of the top favorites and delivered spectacular duels. His aggressive riding style makes him a crowd favorite and a perennial podium contender.
• Simon Axmann: Known for his technical finesse, Axmann was once again among the world's best in 2025, setting fastest times that made the competition sweat.
• Tom Court: A veteran of the sport, his experience and strategic skills mean he is always good for surprises and secured important points for his team.
• Agnes Wicander: The eternal number one among the women. No other female rider has been able to hold a candle to the Swede so far.

The eFoil Racing League divides riders into three groups:

• Pro Men
• Women
• Open Men (amateurs)

The women are also doing extremely well in the eFoil Racing League:

A global circus: The top nations and locations

The 2025 race calendar took the eFoil Racing League around the globe. The “Top Performing Countries” show where the sport has its strongest roots.

The hotspots of the season were:

• United Arab Emirates (Dubai): The grand finale in Dubai was the highlight of the year. The skyline provided the perfect backdrop for the showdown between the world champions.
• USA (Florida): Traditionally a strong base for water sports. The US teams made the most of their home advantage at the events in Florida.
• Europe (Croatia & Italy): With races in Istria and Italy, Europe showed that it is at the forefront in terms of technology and driving skills. These locations often offered challenging conditions due to waves, which separated the wheat from the chaff.

Conclusion: The stage is set for 2026

The 2025 season has shown that eFoiling is more than just a trend sport. It is a highly professional competition between Lift, Aerofoils, and Fliteboard, between Manel Arpa, Clemens Kresser, and Justin Chait, held against the most spectacular backdrops in the world.

Anyone who wants to have a say in 2026 will have to reckon with these names. eFoil Racing League registration for the coming season is already open – are you ready?

Some manufacturers have already announced special racing boards for 2026. So it remains exciting.