Waydoo is a Chinese manufacturer of electric hydrofoils also called eFoils. In 2019, the team around CEO Denis Zhu presented the eFoil for the first time at CES in Las Vegas. E-SURFER was there live.
The company, which previously developed drones for agriculture, now also makes water toys such as eFoils and diving scooters. DJI is said to be an investor.
Waydoo has consistently exhibited at CES as one of the few eFoil manufacturers. We met them there regularly, as you can read in our blog article Waydoo Flyer - all about the eFoil from China.
The Waydoo Flyer eFoil costs between 7,000 and 8,000 EUR including 19% VAT.
Yes: Basically yes. eFoils are classified as small craft or "other" by the Wasserstraßenschifffahrtsamt in Germany and must carry a license plate as soon as they have more than 2.21 kW (3 hp) of power. Other rules may apply to local waters. For example, eSurfboards are not allowed on Bavarian lakes and Lake Constance. In Austria, the rules are not clear and in Switzerland, motorized surfboards are not allowed. More information can be found here.
No, with one exception. eFoils are licensed as recreational boats and therefore may be driven by persons 16 years of age and older without a driver's license as long as the power is less than 15 hp (11.03 kW). Waydoo eFoils have a power output of less than 5 kW. An exception to this is a few bodies of water where the power limit is 5 hp (3.68 kW), for example on parts of the Rhine. For more details, contact the local authorities, such as the Wasserstraßenschifffahrtsamt (WSA).
