Which waters are approved for eFoils? Which rules apply where? For years there was no reliable answer to this question. Now there is: eFoil-Spot.com is the first working community map with verified, legal eFoil spots worldwide — free, no app, right in your browser.

By Andreas Lakeberg — E-SURFER founder, eFoil expert since 2017 and board member of the Global Foil Board Sports Association (GFA)

As of May 2026

Where to ride an eFoil — why finding spots was so hard for years

“Where can I ride my eFoil?” has been one of the most frequently asked questions in the eFoil world for years. The honest answer was, for a long time: it depends — and you have to find out for yourself.

In Germany the rules for eFoils are set at state level, change regularly and are barely documented centrally. Facebook groups circulated spot recommendations nobody had verified. Forums held outdated info from 2019. Anyone looking for a new legal spot had to either research it themselves — or rely on word of mouth.

The problem wasn’t a lack of knowledge in the community. There simply was no place where that knowledge was reliably collected and shared — and no single, reliable answer to where to ride an eFoil. For the legal picture across Europe, see our country-by-country guide to where eFoils are allowed.

What we tried ourselves before — and why it failed

We haven’t had this problem since just yesterday. Since 2017 the eFoil community has repeatedly tried to build a spot database. Every attempt failed for the same reason.

Attempt 1: Google Maps custom layers. Shared Google Maps layers with marked spots — well intentioned. The problem: as soon as the creator stopped maintaining the layer, it was outdated and barely findable. No structure, no categories, no photos, no moderation.

Attempt 2: an iOS app. A native app with spot entries and an interactive map. The problem: it required downloading and installing — a real hurdle for new users. Every iOS update could break it. Without a dedicated development team it stopped working after a year.

Both approaches had the same structural problem: they depended on individual people or single platforms. As soon as the incentive to maintain the platform disappeared, the project died.

eFoil-Spot.com — what’s different now

eFoil-Spot.com is not an app project and not a shared Google Maps layer. It’s a dedicated, web-based platform — developed and run by E-SURFER, the leading address for eFoils in Europe since 2017.

• No download, no login to use it. The map opens in the browser — on iPhone, Android and desktop alike. No installation, no app-store dependency.
• Four verified categories. Riding spots (public waters), eFoil schools, dealers and test centres — every entry is clearly classified.
• Verified information. Every submitted spot is checked by the E-SURFER team before it’s published. No outdated or incorrect details.
• Photos, coordinates, difficulty level. Every spot contains everything you need on site: exact GPS coordinates, photos, water type, difficulty level (Easy / Intermediate / Advanced) and a website if available.
• Community-driven. Anyone can submit a new spot — via a form right on the website. The team checks and publishes it.

What you’ll find on the map right now

In the first week alone, more than 70 verified spots were added — in Germany, France, Italy, the UAE and the USA:

• Germany: Störmthaler See (Saxony, eFoil school), Scharmützelsee (Brandenburg, riding spot), Heiligendamm (Baltic Sea), St. Peter-Ording (North Sea), Starnberger See (Bavaria, school operations) and more.
• Europe: Lake Garda (Italy, YourWave school), Côte d’Azur / Cannes (France, riding spot), more spots on the Adriatic.
• International: Dubai / Palm Jumeirah (UAE, several commercial operators), Pacific Palisades / Los Angeles (USA, riding spot).

The map grows every week — and this is where the community comes in.

Adding your spot — how it works

The community map thrives on eFoilers sharing their spots. Every entry helps others get on the water legally and safely. Submitting takes about two minutes:

• Open eFoil-Spot.com and click “Submit a Spot”
• Drop a pin on the map — exactly where the spot is
• Fill in the form: name, spot type (riding spot / school / dealer / test centre), water type, difficulty level and a short description
• Upload photos (optional, but very helpful — up to 3 images, max. 5 MB each)
• Submit — the E-SURFER team checks the entry and publishes it after verification

Frequently asked questions about eFoil-Spot.com