Interview with Lift Foils eFoil partner Above East End in Sag Harbor New York.
Tell us a little bit about you and the team!
We are a couple Phish and Deadheads based in Sag Harbor, NY during the summer, looking to show people a great time. Danny Garcia and I have been working together for over a decade, and started working together at Spaeth Design, but most recently we were running Alaska Heliskiing in Haines, AK. We believe in equality, the golden rule, are looking to have fun and meet kind people.
How did you discover Lift Foils?
I saw the videos online, and could not get them out of my head. Then when we were at the Outdoor Retailer trade show marketing Alaska Heliskiing last winter, I saw a familiar face from back in my kiting days, and it was Damien Leroy. The seed had already been planted, it grew roots, and before I knew it, we were loading all of the boards from the Lift trade show booth into my brother’s truck.
What’s your favorite eFoil size or wing configuration and why?
We are still rocking E2s, but it’s so hard to say which is best. The 5’0″ is great cuz its smaller, with less swing weight, but the challenge of riding tandem on the 6’2″ is also so much fun. It is also hard to say which wing set up is best, since Lift has done such a great job with all of the different models, and it depends entirely on one’s style of flying. I love to just cruise out there, and am not concerned with going fast, so I usually choose larger wings so I can fly at lower speed. I currently have the 200 front and 25 tail High Aspect wings on my board, with the folding prop.
What excites you about eFoiling?
I have been fascinated with hydrofoils for years, and I believe eFoils are one of the primary driving forces for future watercraft innovations. The amount of technology packed into these boards is truly amazing. I believe it is inspiring boat designers and innovators to think bigger, or at least will force them to, because Lift has now set the bar very high.
What regions do you work out of, and what does your company offer demos, lessons, etc?
We work out on the eastern end of Long Island, also known as the Hamptons. We offer demos and lessons that focus on safety, so new eFoilers have the proper foundation to get the most out of their investment for years to come, and safely facilitate their friends who are naturally going to want to try it.
Tell us about one of your most interesting water or adventure experiences, whether foil related or not!
When we learned that certain countries would allow us entry, if we followed all of the COVID policies, we could not resist the temptation to travel. We contacted @LiftFoilsJamaica to spend a few weeks eFoiling Jamaica, and then we went surfing and kiting in Costa Rica, since there isn’t a Lift affiliate there yet. We have been developing a floating action camera accessory called the Action Buoy, and we had all of our prototypes with us to finish the R&D down there. We went to volcanic hot springs, surfed Pavones, Witch’s Rock, and got the macro dose of Pura Vida that we desperately needed.
What are some your go-to eFoiling spots?
Our go to eFoil spots out here are Noyac Bay and Shelter Island Sound, but the dream spots are Lake Powell in UT and Flamming Gorge in WY, and hopefully those will go down this fall.
Any tips for water-sports enthusiasts visiting the Hamptons and Long Island?
Bring/buy a good wetsuit. We have a couple months of nice and warm water here, where you do not need a wetsuit, but outside of July and August, the water and/or air can be chilly. If you have good wetsuit that fits you well, you will double or even triple the duration of your water-sports season.