A simple circle around the propeller is not enough, Will Aliotti lost 2 fingers as a reminder to all who are going to test or build one...

Warning: graphic link, do not click if you are sensitive to open wounds.
stabmag.com/news/french-professional-surfer-nearly-loses-fingers-in-hydrofoil-propellor-incident/

I post here the pic of the culprit:

Still trying to work out how he got his fingers in there and pulled the trigger . That's a Takuma efoil which is a 50 kg monster . Very different to the Fliteboard or Lift which are half the weight and run wide 3 blade props ( very hard to get fingers in) plus once you come off the board or put the remote under water the motor immediately stops . Or the second you take your finger off the trigger it stops spinning. So still can't work out how he got his fingers in there and kept the power on unless the Takuma still runs when remote is not connected. Is there anymore to the story to explain how he actually gots his fingers inside the prop guard when he fell.

Yeah the efoil market is something I am staying well away from. Can see lots of problems and risks and for something so expensive it just sounds like a mine field.

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Piros said..
Still trying to work out how he got his fingers in there and pulled the trigger

He just fall, and his hand came into the blades.
As we all experienced, falls while foiling can be brutal, unexpected, and lightning fast.
And there is no way the blades stop spinning instantly, especially if the foil is still traveling through the water. For this you must have active high tech braking systems as in some industrial saws.

And, (speculation here), during a jacknife fall, the foil just comes out fast out the water to meet you, I can see from my numerous falls how you would not have time or the reflex to let go of the trigger (look how how beginners keep a death grip on a motorbike throttle when thing go south), and how the foil would came to meet mid-air your hands that you have lowered as a reflex in your fall.

You can ask him, on his instagram. www.instagram.com/william_aliotti/

Cool! might get one for the kitchen to chop up some carrots & cucumbers.
No. Seriously. Never really thought of that danger. Amazing how Will kept his fingers. Great job by the surgeons.
Also lucky his fingers weren't lost in the water. Not easy to find.
Looks like that design will need a major re think.
Good to know that Will is in good spirits & recovery is promising.

Jesus that's heavy.

I can't imagine life without out my hands. If it wasn't for them I would be celibate.

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colas said..

Piros said..
Still trying to work out how he got his fingers in there and pulled the trigger

He just fall, and his hand came into the blades.
As we all experienced, falls while foiling can be brutal, unexpected, and lightning fast.
And there is no way the blades stop spinning instantly, especially if the foil is still traveling through the water. For this you must have active high tech braking systems as in some industrial saws.

And, (speculation here), during a jacknife fall, the foil just comes out fast out the water to meet you, I can see from my numerous falls how you would not have time or the reflex to let go of the trigger (look how how beginners keep a death grip on a motorbike throttle when thing go south), and how the foil would came to meet mid-air your hands that you have lowered as a reflex in your fall.

You can ask him, on his instagram. www.instagram.com/william_aliotti/

I tried an Efoil, just like Piros I don't know how this happened, for me it is impossible.

I don't know how the Takuma works but I assume once you drop or release the buttom of the remote control the propeller stops right away.

One thing for sure, just like regular foiling, no matter how good you are in any other sport, you have to go step by step and be aware anything can happen.

Not good for that person and efoil is nice but I wouldn't buy one at the moment. It's too expensive, maybe when they get to 15% to 20% of the price. I find them boring and a lazy way to be outdoor, though some us like a ride with no effort, just press those buttons and fly. I like ebike and escooter because using e in transportation make since but eskate board, whats the point.

Not quite as lazy as you think . I spent a lot of time on both the Lift & Fliteboard. They produce massive torque and it takes a lot of pressure to push the foil down against that. So with an apx run time of 1.5 hours puts you on the water for well over 2 hours with crashes ect . Your legs are burning after 5 mins ( you won't last 2 hours ) It just looks like normal foiling a lot easier than what it is . Would I buy one ? no but they really are fun to ride.

Piros that flight boards the one for surf yer >??

App there heavy as 2 .... I really wanna have a crack just gotta wait till they come down in price

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frenchfoiler said..
I tried an Efoil, just like Piros I don't know how this happened, for me it is impossible.

The Efoil seems to have a better propeller guard, with spokes in front of the propeller.
This was the goal of my post, as stated in the title: some e-foils are safer than others, look at the propeller guard before trying one.

And just try to remember your falls during the foil learning phase... anything can happen.

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Piros said..
Not quite as lazy as you think . I spent a lot of time on both the Lift & Fliteboard. They produce massive torque and it takes a lot of pressure to push the foil down against that. So with an apx run time of 1.5 hours puts you on the water for well over 2 hours with crashes ect . Your legs are burning after 5 mins ( you won't last 2 hours ) It just looks like normal foiling a lot easier than what it is . Would I buy one ? no but they really are fun to ride.

Sounds like it might not be set up right?

It's the same on all efoils , you are get pushed by the prop and not gliding from a swell. If you look at the riders you can see the knees are pushed forward unlike on a free foiler where they stand much more upright . The more power you pull on the trigger the more you have to push forward . Same as an electric skateboard if you don't have your weight forward when you start you fall straight off the back .The more you ride it , it gets easier but still the load is always there.

Mickcard both the Lift and Fliteboards are good in waves .Check out this video on the Fliteboard in waves and look at his front knee pressure , explains what I have been talking about.

www.instagram.com/p/B5YYHv8HGrM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Piros said..
Mickcard both the Lift and Fliteboards are good in waves .Check out this video on the Fliteboard in waves and look at his front knee pressure , explains what I have been talking about.

www.instagram.com/p/B5YYHv8HGrM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

I don't know why they promote efoil on wave, it doesn't make sense to me, it is just gonna irritated more and more people. They should concentrate on the dw part, empty/endless space to ride.

Downwind is the best!