Technology is changing the way we surf. Meet Boost Surfing, the attachable electric surfboard fin created to help surfers paddle faster and longer. The idea became a reality thanks to Alex Ostanin, a mechanical engineer from Huntington Beach, California, and Dmitri Kozhevnikov, an entrepreneur from San Francisco. The duo wanted to develop something that would allow people to surf longer and turned to technology for inspiration. Their goal was to boost the paddling powered generated by surfers’ bodies in order to get to the line-up twice as fast, catch up to three times more waves, and surf more than everyone else. Boost Surfing promises to reduce burnout so that you can make the most out of every swell and surf session. The 800-watt high-tech surf fin provides 20 pounds of motor thrust and has a top speed of 11 miles per hour. Its battery can be fully charged in 90 minutes and will last between two-to-four hours, or 95 eight-second power boosts. All you need to do is install the adapter, insert the electric device, attach the control button to the tip of the board, and you’re ready to go – it’s as easy as installing a regular fin. Surf More Many surfers, from beginners to avid wave riders, don’t get the chance to surf enough to build out the muscle power and stamina needed to paddle constantly. In addition, surfers with physical limitations may not be able to paddle on their own or may have difficulty paddling continuously. The new surf gadget allows all surfers – regardless of age or experience – the opportunity to enjoy the sport for several consecutive hours. “We want to create an open-minded and inclusive community for surfers that want to have fun together regardless of paddling strength or experience,” explains co-founder Alex Ostanin. The company says that their Boost Fin is for both “brave noobs” and “adrenaline junkies” alike. “It doesn’t matter if you’re goofy or regular, a beginner or a surf addict, an adaptive pro or an avid surfer that doesn’t get to surf as much as you’d like. According to the inventors, the whole system is safe and the control button can be attached to a wrist band. Sleek and Dragless Design Eitan Waks, a disabled surfer, approves the brand new electric fin because making fun accessible is crucial for him. “I am paralyzed from the chest down and have a lot of difficulties catching waves on my own,” underlines Waks. “I do not have sufficient upper body strength to paddle into the wave and, therefore, rely on friends to push me into the wave. With this product, I hope I will be able to catch the wave on my own!” The working prototype evolved into a real-life object that was submitted to rigorous testing in the Pacific Ocean. “We wanted a solution that would not ruin turning and riding surf dynamics, while at the same time helping surfers paddle and catch more waves,” adds Alex Ostanin. “Our team of engineers and specialists made sure the fin’s sleek design was lightweight and minimized drag.” The Boost Surfing fin weighs 1.7 pounds and is connected to a smartphone app so that surfers can adjust the power and duration of the boosts based on their experience level and needs. The device can be attached to shortboards, longboards, soft top foamies, and even stand-up paddleboards. The Boost Surfing e-fin hits the market in May 2020 and retails for $299.

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Boost Surfing: the world’s first electric surfboard fin

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