A motorized surfboard was first introduced in 1935. The first motorsurf was propelled by a small motor attached to a wooden surfboard. This invention was considered for use in the Coast Guard.
Two years later, Skimboating was introduced. Surfing with a 7 hp engine in a waterproof aluminum enclosure. Such a motosurf weighed 54 kg, was bulky and not comfortable. Maximum speed was 30 km/h.
The first motorsurf was manufactured in 1965. About 200 of them were produced.
One of the first modern boards was the Jet Ski Power Board. For the first time, the motosurf was able to reach speeds of about 60 km/h. But the project was not a commercial success, the surf was powerful, but bulky and heavy (70 kg), it was hard to ride on such a board.
After the failure of Jet Ski the main vectors of the motorsurf development were outlined. Reducing weight, increasing the performance of power units and engines, safety systems, and the desire for a perfect shape board.
Since the 10s there are main categories of surfboards: electric surfboards, boards with internal combustion engine and electric foils.
In 2012, the first MotoSurf GP championship was held, organized by Jetsurf to attract interest in the new sport. In 2015, 60 riders from around the world participated in the championship. The competition is held annually and is attracting more and more attention.
Electric foils have been actively developing since 2017. Today there are already four generations of electric foils. The variety of choice continues to grow, the manufacturers began to offer several varieties of boards, foils, masts, acuators. It’s possible to choose the perfect surf without compromise.
Recent trends are often about better service and support. Leading manufacturers offer their own applications for smart phones that help to collect technical information, monitor the surf, update the board firmware.
In 2024, motorsurfing is a sport, a community that includes surfers, wakeboarders, kiteboarders and everyone who likes to ride a board.
