BOATS: For whom is motosurfing possible?
Fabian Kusche: In principle, motosurfing is suitable for all age groups, provided the person concerned is tall enough to find a sufficiently secure grip on the board with their feet. An average level of fitness is completely sufficient for recreational sports. You should have basic mobility, as you have to change from a squatting to a standing position when standing up on the board. Of course, every motosurfer should be able to swim.
In competitive sports, such as those promoted by the German Motor Yacht Association (DMYV), targeted training for endurance, strength endurance, coordination and balance is necessary. In competition, sit-ups and squats are performed almost continuously and in constant alternation during an approximately 15-minute scoring run in order to complete the slalom course on the water.
How difficult is motosurfing compared to waterskiing or wakeboarding, for example?
The main difference to waterskiing or wakeboarding is that there is no towing vehicle or lift with motosurfing. With motosurfing, the rider determines the speed of the board themselves using the so-called "control handle". You can also hold on to this control handle and lean into it with your weight. When taking your first steps in motosurfing, the biggest challenge is coordinating and controlling your own speed while finding your balance at the same time. The rule here is that the board stabilises at a moderate gliding speed and it becomes much easier to stand up on the board. We also teach this in our taster courses.
Once the first hurdle has been overcome, the learning curve for motosurfing is very steep. The first turns and curves are made very quickly. With increasing self-confidence and trust in the sports equipment, the athletes dare to perform more and more courageous manoeuvres after a short period of riding and begin to master the board.
What types of motosurf boards are there?
A basic distinction is made between motosurf boards based on the type of drive. What both types have in common is that they have a carbon fibre hull to achieve the lowest possible weight and an internal drive with an impeller to prevent injuries to the rider, also known as a jet drive. There are vehicles with a battery and electric drive on the one hand and vehicles with a small combustion engine on the other. Both concepts have their advantages and disadvantages, which must be weighed up depending on the intended use.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of electric motosurf boards?
The advantages are the relatively low noise emission and the possibility of use on water areas where the operation of combustion engines is prohibited. This applies to many inland lakes in Germany. One disadvantage is the significantly higher weight (due to the battery; 33 kg electric vs. 20 kg combustion engine), which makes the board more sluggish and makes transport in and out of the water more cumbersome. Another disadvantage is the shorter range (between 30 and 55 minutes depending on the riding mode) and the fact that an additional rechargeable battery would have to be available to continue riding immediately. Alternatively, a charging time of 2 to 2.5 hours must be calculated for the battery, which can be an insurmountable challenge on the beach, on holiday or on some boats. The maximum speed of electric boards is around 55 km/h.
It is practically impossible to transport the batteries by air. The batteries may only be transported in transport aircraft under very strict conditions and at a very high price. It is therefore not possible to take them on holiday by plane.
What do I need to bear in mind with motosurf boards with combustion engines?
Boards powered by combustion engines must of course comply with the emission limits for operation in Germany and the EU. This applies to noise emissions caused by operation as well as emissions caused by combustion. A positive example of this is the JETSURF brand products. All boards, regardless of power level, are equipped with modern direct injection and can be fuelled with either conventional premium petrol or e-fuels derived from plant-based components. The emissions emitted only reach 27% of the limit value defined by the EU for this vehicle class.
The noise emissions of the JETSURF boards for the leisure sector are reduced to 53 dB by a completely encapsulated exhaust system and a special silencer, which is even below the volume level of a normal conversation. All JETSURF boards (both electric and with combustion engines) are CE-certified by TÜV Süd, which sets them apart from all competitors, especially those from the Asian market.
The disadvantage of boards with combustion engines is that, despite their sophisticated technology, they cannot be used on waters where the use of combustion engines is prohibited. The advantages are the significantly lower weight, which has a positive effect on handling on the shore as well as when travelling on the water. The range of the boards is 60-90 minutes; it is then very easy to refuel and continue your journey. This greater flexibility is attractive if the board is to be taken on holiday. For transport in aircraft, the tank is removed, emptied and vented in normal luggage and the board is checked in as sports luggage. The maximum speed of boards with a combustion engine is between 55 and 70 km/h, depending on the choice of motorisation.
These arguments explain why the overwhelming majority of international motosurfers prefer a board with an internal combustion engine. Due to their limited mobility and flexibility, electric boards tend to be used "stationary", for example by people living near a lake.
What should beginners look out for when buying?
With the comparatively high-priced motosurf boards, it is understandable that buyers primarily look at the price. When buying a new vehicle, it is always advisable to contact an authorised dealer who can provide after-sales service as well as a guarantee and warranty.
With used vehicles, the first thing to check is that the hull, drive and accessories are not obviously damaged. A defective carbon hull can rarely be repaired at low cost. The specified operating time of a used vehicle can only be checked by an authorised dealer using a diagnostic laptop. When buying a used vehicle, it is important that the engine starts without any problems and that no leaks are detected in the exhaust system during operation. It would be ideal to take a test drive.
A major issue is operation in salt water. JETSURF boards are designed to be used in salt water. However, rinsing with fresh water is essential after use in salt water. If you notice significant signs of corrosion on the engine or exhaust system of a used vehicle, you should not buy it.
The vehicle's accessories should be undamaged and complete. This includes the transport bag, accessory bag with tools, main and side fins, charger, etc. Unfortunately, the truism "Buy cheap, buy twice" also applies to motosurf boards.
Which accessories are important?
You should always wear a wetsuit, which can be selected according to the water and outside temperature. It protects you from cooling down in the water and offers light protection. Wearing a so-called impact protection waistcoat is a must. It protects the upper body in the event of a fall and provides additional buoyancy in the water. We also strongly recommend wearing a safety helmet, as you would for kitesurfing or wakeboarding. The head is protected in the event of a fall and the choice of a bright colour makes the motosurfer more visible in the water.
If you decide you also want to ride in winter, neoprene gloves and socks are essential. We ourselves train all year round for the World Championships and use so-called dry suits. These are comparatively expensive, but keep the rider really dry and are amazingly comfortable to wear, comparable to a jogging suit.
Where can you drive?
In principle, you are allowed to sail where motorised watercraft are permitted. However, local rules must be observed, such as bans on vehicles with combustion engines, speed limits, bathing zones, nature reserves, etc. Experience has shown that the agility of the boards can be given free rein on the so-called personal watercraft routes on inland waterways, as there are no restrictions regarding "unclear course" or "manoeuvring".
A popular area for riding in Germany is the Baltic Sea, which invites you to ride due to its low tidal range, low salt content and often very easy access via the beach. Here, too, it is important to observe local rules and not endanger other water sports enthusiasts - but this also applies to SUP riders. The MotoSurf Club Germany e. V. endeavours to maintain an overview map with user entries on its website, which, in addition to possible riding areas, also shows suitable entry points and applicable rules.
Do I need a driving licence, and if so, which one?
With the exception of the boards for use in the World Cup, all vehicles are licence-free. The vehicles with combustion engines are all under the 15 hp limit; the electrically powered JETSURF boards have less than 10 hp. For a vehicle that exceeds the respective hp limit, a SBF sea or inland licence is of course required.
Does the board have to have a licence plate?
Legislation prescribes a licence plate for all vehicles that are operated on public waters and have an engine power of more than 3.3 hp. Due to their jet propulsion, motorised surfboards can strictly speaking only be assigned an official licence plate by a waterways and shipping authority (WSA); an officially recognised licence plate, as issued by some associations for other watercraft, is strictly speaking not permitted. The JETSURF boards all have an EU certificate of conformity and can easily be authorised by a WSA.
Does the board have to be insured?
There is no compulsory insurance. However, we strongly recommend that you at least take out liability insurance. Sometimes the boards and their operation are covered by personal liability insurance. However, this cannot be answered in general terms, but must be checked on a case-by-case basis together with the insurance broker. Comprehensive insurance is offered by some insurers. Everyone must decide for themselves whether and to what extent this is worthwhile.
What else should you look out for?
Here we examine the existing sales and service concepts on the market.
We ourselves are authorised dealers for the JETSURF brand. The decision to sell this brand and offer a comprehensive service was made after many comparisons and tests. The JETSURF brand came onto the market in 2010 as a pioneer with the first motorised surfboards and has since served as a template for many copies. JETSURF is a Czech product that is manufactured by hand in Brno. Being located within the EU makes it necessary for the products to fulfil the applicable regulations and standards in the EU "from birth", as otherwise professional distribution would not be possible.
We are just one of many authorised dealers worldwide. For the owner of a JETSURF board, this means that he can always find a local contact person on the Bay of Lübeck as well as on Mallorca or in Australia if he has any questions or problems with his JETSURF board. The products have served many competitors as a template for shameless copies, with even protected patents being ignored. The products offered on Asian online platforms are tempting due to their lower price, which, however, increases when imported into the EU due to import VAT and customs duties. As the buyer of such a product, you must not forget that you are considered the "person placing the product on the market in the EU" when importing it and therefore all liability lies with the buyer. Be it in the event of defects or damage to third parties.
- Info from the Motosurfclub Germany
- Info about the Motosurf-Store
