Marine

German-built Lampuga board claimed to be "world's fastest electric surfboard"

German-built Lampuga board claimed to be "world's fastest electric surfboard"
The Lampuga is a design of Hamburg-based Sashay GmbH (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
The Lampuga is a design of Hamburg-based Sashay GmbH (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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The Lampuga electric surfboard at Boot Düsseldorf 2015 (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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The Lampuga electric surfboard at Boot Düsseldorf 2015 (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
The Lampuga is a design of Hamburg-based Sashay GmbH (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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The Lampuga is a design of Hamburg-based Sashay GmbH (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
The Lampuga board highlighted with an integrated display (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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The Lampuga board highlighted with an integrated display (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
The Lampuga has a simple tethered hand throttle (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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The Lampuga has a simple tethered hand throttle (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
The throttle cable also serves to steer the board (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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The throttle cable also serves to steer the board (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
Simply slide the throttle switch forward and fire up to speeds of 34 mph (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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Simply slide the throttle switch forward and fire up to speeds of 34 mph (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
Lampuga electric surfboard at Boot Düsseldorf 2015 (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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Lampuga electric surfboard at Boot Düsseldorf 2015 (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
Lampuga electric surfboard at Boot Düsseldorf 2015 (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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Lampuga electric surfboard at Boot Düsseldorf 2015 (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
This access panel lets you see if water is seeping in through a faulty jet drive seal (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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This access panel lets you see if water is seeping in through a faulty jet drive seal (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
The Lampuga electric surfboard is powered by a 15-hp electric jet drive (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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The Lampuga electric surfboard is powered by a 15-hp electric jet drive (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
A leash connects to the red circular panel and serves as a kill switch so the board doesn't take off should you fall (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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A leash connects to the red circular panel and serves as a kill switch so the board doesn't take off should you fall (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
The Lampuga electric surfboard promises plenty of speed and fun (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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The Lampuga electric surfboard promises plenty of speed and fun (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
The Lampuga e-surfboard in action
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The Lampuga e-surfboard in action
In addition to kneeling and standing, riders can sit or lie down
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In addition to kneeling and standing, riders can sit or lie down
The Lampuga in action
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The Lampuga in action
The Lampuga signs its name in the water
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The Lampuga signs its name in the water
Riders enjoy speeds over 30 mph
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Riders enjoy speeds over 30 mph
The Lampuga's lithium-ion battery offers about half an hour of runtime
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The Lampuga's lithium-ion battery offers about half an hour of runtime
View gallery - 18 images

Once the domain of a select few products like the Powerski Jetboard, the powered surfboard market has really grown over the past year. During that time, we've seen the underwhelming Waterwolf, the promising, multi-personality Aquila, and the Radinn surfboards. The German-designed Lampuga joins the crowd, bringing with it speeds up to 34 mph (55 km/h) and claims of being the world's fastest e-surfboard.

Electric surfboards tend to be a big deal at the Düsseldorf boat show, with multiple models on display across several halls. The Lampuga was the segment highlight this year, with large banners proclaiming it the "world's fastest electric surfboard." With a claimed top speed of 34 mph, it is faster than those other electric surfboards, with the exception of the 44-mph (71 km/h) Aquila Carver. The Carver is still in development, though, so we reckon that the on-sale-now Lampuga can claim its speed supreme over the Carver ... for now.

The Lampuga uses the familiar e-surfboard format of electric drive shooting water-spewing thrust out at the board's tail. The 15-hp drive uses a brushless synchronous motor powered by a 52-volt lithium-ion battery that provides 20 to 35 minutes of runtime and up to 12 miles (20 km) of range. The board's lightweight carbon fiber/composite construction helps it eke out as much speed as possible when planing across the water.

The Lampuga's lithium-ion battery offers about half an hour of runtime
The Lampuga's lithium-ion battery offers about half an hour of runtime

The rider controls the board via a hardwired twist throttle that also serves to steer the nose. A leash around the leg delivers an emergency power kill should the surfer fall off. Unlike some other electric boards, the Lampuga doesn't have bindings, relying instead on a basic anti-slip mat. The two grab handles that you see on the board's deck provide grip and steering for electric kneeboarding. The board measures 8 ft 5 in (2.6 m) in length and weighs 86 lb (39 kg).

The Lampuga's battery charges in two hours with the included 30-amp charging station or an hour with the available 60-amp version. Outside of that, the board is designed to be virtually maintenance- and hassle-free. The motor is integrated into the board's structure and not designed to be owner serviced. A bolt-on access panel on the tail lets you inside to check and change the jet drive seal should the board start taking on water.

Unfortunately, Lampuga didn't offer us a test ride in Boot Düsseldorf's big pool, but watching a video at its booth was enough to convince us that the board is a sharp, speedy personal watercraft for a day on the beach, no matter if you prefer standing, kneeling sitting or lying down.

It does suffer from two of the chronic ailments that affect electric surfboards in general: extremely short runtime and exorbitant pricing. For €15,400 (US$17,400), we'd have a lot of trouble buying this over a faster, more affordable PWC like the Sea-Doo Spark. Manufacturers really need to get prices down and runtimes up if they want to make electric surfboards something more than a trade show novelty.

Lampuga has set up a dealership network in various European countries and the United States. The €15,400 price includes the 30-amp charger, a carry bag for the board, an accessory bag and a maintenance kit.

Watch the Lampuga make its mark on the water in the video below.

Source: Lampuga

Luxury Water Toy: Electric Powered Jet Surfboard LAMPUGA

View gallery - 18 images
3 comments
3 comments
Rehab
Can see these being popular in resort areas right along side sup and beginner surfing. 10K USD and battery swap outs would be nice to see.
The Hoff
I jetski and surf but I think this is an idea that just does not work. The riders always look uncomfortable on these boards. They are bent over and look unbalanced, like they are close to falling over on every turn. I don't know if you could ride it for more then a half an hour. I'm sure they have a lot of hours on it but every board I see looks that way. It would be fun for a bit but a jetski with a seat is faster, more manuverable, more stable and a lot less work. They need to make it more stable, maybe flexing fins or slightly hydrolic so you could throw the back end around a bit and make instant adjustments. Or maybe you stand on a pad that has linkage to the fins and makes them turn. I needs something.
PaleDale
Impressive performance but I really don't see these things taking off. Surfing is more about the wave and less about the board. Calling this a "Surfboard" is misleading. I find the idea of this about as fun as riding a dirt bike down a tar highway. I would much prefer a JetSki.
I would be interested in one of these though
http://www.gizmag.com/wavejet-motorized-tow-in-surfboard/22055/
Less work to paddle out and easier to catch waves.