Gerry Lopez Launches New Foilboard with NSP & Foil Drive

Gerry Lopez, the surfing icon known as “Mr. Pipeline,” has turned his attention to a new challenge: designing an assisted hydrofoil surfboard. The collaboration with NSP, a surfboard manufacturer, results in the “Pelican,” a foilboard specifically engineered to work with the Foil Drive system – an electric assist technology aimed at making hydrofoiling more accessible. This isn’t Lopez’s first foray into product design recently; he’s also partnered with Cariuma on a signature shoe and lent his name to a soft top surfboard, but the Pelican represents a deeper engagement with the evolving technology of wave riding.

Hydrofoiling, where a submerged wing lifts the board above the water, has seen a surge in popularity since Laird Hamilton and others pioneered its use in large waves, famously documented in the film Step Into Liquid. Early iterations of hydrofoils, sometimes referred to as “air chairs,” existed for decades, but the modern application to surfing gained traction with the advent of powerful electric systems. Now, companies like NSP and others are offering boards designed specifically for this emerging discipline.

How Foil Drive Changes the Equation

The Pelican isn’t designed to be a purely traditional foilboard. It’s built to integrate with the Foil Drive ecosystem, which offers a different approach than a full eFoil. According to North Action Sports, Foil Drive doesn’t entirely power the ride; instead, it provides assistance to get riders up on the foil more easily. This allows surfers to transition seamlessly into wave riding, pumping for speed, or harnessing the wind. This contrasts with eFoils, where the motor handles the majority of the work. A review of The Best Efoils on The Inertia provides a broader overview of the electric foiling landscape.

Lopez emphasizes the accessibility aspect of the design. “I kind of designed it for a Foil Drive system,” he explains, “but it also will function just fine as a prone paddle foilboard, too. With the Foil Drive, it’s just really a friendly board. Whether you know how to use a foil drive and have done it a lot or you’re just starting out… it just makes the process a lot easier.” This focus on ease of use is particularly relevant given the steep learning curve often associated with hydrofoiling.

Lightweight Construction for Enhanced Performance

One of the key challenges in foilboard design is managing weight. Foils themselves are inherently heavy, so minimizing the weight of the board is crucial. Lopez and NSP addressed this by creating a thinner, shorter, and lighter board than many other Foil Drive-compatible options. The board’s shape also contributes to its performance. A subtle vee in the nose transitions into a flat midsection, enhancing efficiency when powered by the Foil Drive system.

“It planes so quickly and so easily, even at low speeds,” Lopez said. “Pretty much everyone is able to get their feet under them. Once you’re standing up, you just deliver it a little more gas and the board’s out of the water.” This quick planing ability is a significant advantage, particularly for beginners or those transitioning from traditional surfing.

The Evolution of Foil Technology and Lopez’s Continued Innovation

The development of the Pelican board reflects a broader trend in surfing: the increasing integration of technology to enhance the riding experience. While traditional surfing relies on the power of the wave, hydrofoiling opens up new possibilities, allowing riders to generate their own lift and ride in conditions previously unsuitable for surfing. This has led to the development of specialized equipment, including wing foil boards – designed for harnessing wind power – and a growing market for electric foil systems.

Lopez’s involvement in this space isn’t surprising, given his history of experimentation and willingness to embrace new ideas. He’s a figure who has consistently pushed the boundaries of surfing, and his design philosophy seems to center around making these advanced technologies more accessible to a wider range of riders. His legacy as a pioneer is well-documented, and this latest venture appears to be a continuation of that spirit.

What’s Next for Assisted Hydrofoiling?

The release of the Pelican board and the continued development of Foil Drive technology signal a growing maturity in the assisted hydrofoiling market. Further refinement of these systems will likely focus on increasing efficiency, reducing weight, and improving user control. The integration of smart technology, such as GPS tracking and performance monitoring, could also develop into more common. As the technology evolves, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the broader surfing community and whether it leads to the development of new riding styles, and techniques. The ongoing challenge will be balancing the benefits of these technologies with the preservation of the core values and traditions of surfing.