When an e-foil is designed for arguably the world’s most famous waterman, it has to have some radical features. With his 1.57-metre-long Pro model from Lift Foils, Laird Hamilton naturally heads for the waves off California or Hawaii. However, his all-round board is said to be equally suited to cruising over flat water and taking off effortlessly with a volume of 64 litres. Hamilton, who achieved worldwide fame 26 years ago for riding the Millennium Wave, is now known for his gruelling workouts both on and in the water. The big-wave surfer’s clients include Rick Rubin and Orlando Bloom.
A narrow board for Laird Hamilton
Laird Hamilton is renowned for big waves and his powerful riding style. The Laird 5'2, developed in collaboration with Lift Foils, follows this approach but translates it into an electrically powered hydrofoil board for flat water and waves.
The board, available in black, blue or white, is laminated at Lift in Puerto Rico using carbon mats with a hexagonal structure. It is 5 feet 2 inches long (157 centimetres) and measures 23.5 inches, or 60 centimetres, at its widest point. It is ten centimetres thick. The volume is 64 litres. Whilst this means the Laird 5'2 is not the board with the highest volume in the LIFT5 series, it does offer significantly more buoyancy than the particularly sporty Pro version, which has a volume of 55 litres.
The unique feature is said to lie in the distribution of the volume. Lift Foils utilises a narrower silhouette with a tapered nose, a narrower tail and a surf-oriented rocker line. This is intended to reduce drag at higher speeds and make the board respond more directly when turning.
Comparison with other LIFT5 variants
Within the LIFT5 range, the Laird 5'2 occupies a middle ground. It is longer and has more volume than the 4'4 Pro, but remains significantly narrower than the 5'4 Cruiser. It is also narrower than the 4'9 Sport.
| Model | Dimensions | Volume | Total weight | Maximum rider weight |
| LIFT5 Pro 4'4 | 132 x 57 x 10 cm | 55 l | 29.48 kg | 86 kg |
| LIFT5 Laird 5'2 | 157 x 60 x 10 cm | 64 l | 28.62 kg | 100 kg |
| LIFT5 Sport 4'9 | 145 x 64 x 10 cm | 67 l | 30.62 kg | 100 kg |
| LIFT5 Cruiser 5'4 | 163 x 70 x 10 cm | 83 l | 31.98 kg | 113 kg |
The comparison illustrates what the Laird concept is aiming for: it offers almost as much lift as the Sport, but is four centimetres narrower. Compared with the Cruiser, it has 19 litres less volume and is ten centimetres narrower. This is likely to make the Laird less forgiving when standing up, but may result in a more direct and agile ride.
For beginners, the Cruiser remains the more obvious choice. The wider deck makes it easier to kneel, stand up and balance. The Laird 5'2 is better suited to riders who already have experience with e-foils, surfboards or other foilboards, or who are specifically looking for a sportier board for their body weight.
A 2.2 kWh battery as a compromise
According to the manufacturer, the board alone weighs 7.9 kilograms. Added to this are five kilograms for the drive system, 1.86 kilograms for the wing and 13.8 kilograms for the Gen5 battery. The complete Laird setup is said to weigh 28.62 kilogrammes.
The Gen5 Full Range Battery is included as standard. It has a capacity of 2.2 kilowatt-hours, weighs 13.8 kilograms and is said to provide up to 90 minutes of flight time. Lift Foils states that it takes 80 minutes to charge from zero to 80 per cent. The battery is IP68-rated and fully encapsulated.
The large battery is ideal for long sessions in flat water. In waves, however, a lighter system can offer advantages, as there is less weight to move. The Laird 5'2 can also be used with the lighter LIFTX battery and the 55 mm drive via an adapter. This changes the board’s character, making it more like a surf foil.
Drive system and top speed
The Laird 5'2 is supplied with the 32-inch LCS Carbon 68 Propulsion. This is a direct-drive motor with a diameter of 68 millimetres. The power transmission system operates without a gearbox. This is designed to reduce mechanical losses and operating noise.
The LCS Jet is also included in the scope of delivery. The enclosed propulsion system is situated at the lower end of the mast and generates thrust directly underwater. It is connected to the board via the Lift Connect System. This allows the mast, propulsion system, battery and wing to be fitted without the need for conventional cabling and, for the most part, without the need for tools.
The LIFT5 series is stated to have a top speed of up to 27 knots. With the standard 200 Havoc front wing, the focus is not solely on maximum speed. The wing is designed to generate sufficient lift even at relatively low speeds. This helps with take-off and when catching a wave. The smaller 26 Flow Back Wing supports a more direct response at the tail and is designed to make tight turns easier.
Stability and handling
Thanks to its narrower profile, the Laird is designed to respond less sluggishly to shifts in weight and to turn more quickly. The board may still be of interest to taller riders. A rider with a lot of body weight needs buoyancy to get going, but doesn’t necessarily want to switch to a wide cruiser board. The Laird offers a compromise here: more volume than the Pro, but a more compact footprint than the Sport and Cruiser.
Shallow water or waves?
Lift Foils specifically positions the Laird 5'2 for use in flat water and in waves. On calm water, the board offers sufficient length and volume for controlled take-offs. With its large battery and 68-mm drive, it is also suitable for longer outings and higher speeds.
However, for serious wave riding, the standard configuration with a large battery and a 68-mm drive is not necessarily the lightest option. Those looking for as little weight and drag as possible in the waves may wish to consider the LIFTX configuration with an adapter, a smaller battery and a 55 mm drive. This, however, is a different set-up and not simply a change of accessories with no impact on handling.
Technical specifications: Laird 5'2 LIFT5
- Dimensions: 157 x 60 x 10 cm
- Capacity: 64 l
- Board weight: 7.9 kg
- Total weight: 28.62 kg
- Battery: Gen5 Full Range, 2.2 kWh
- Journey time: up to 90 minutes
- Drive: 68 mm direct drive with LCS Jet
- Standard wings: 200 Havoc LCS at the front, 26 Flow at the rear
- Maximum rider weight: 100 kg
- Target audience: taller riders, advanced riders and users in a variety of conditions
Sören Gehlhaus
Stellvertretender Chefredakteur BOOTE EXCLUSIV