The primary differences between electric surfboards and regular surfboards are in their power source and features that are present in their operation. For example, a Pulseer is an electric surfboard as it is equipped with a 2.5-kilowatt motor, and a 20-amp-hour battery, maximum load speed is equal to 25 kilometers per hour, and the battery keeps working only for an hour and a half. Its management is button type, while the regular surfboard can use only waves and manual paddles.
Moreover, according to the data provided by “Surfer Today,” “80% of regular surfboarders claim it takes between several months and 1 year to develop the basic skills.” “Surfer Today” also revealed the survey by stating that no intensive physical contact and training, or extremely exhausting competing strategy and tactics are required to surf on the electric type. Thus, with the electric power system used, it takes nearly 10 hours to get experienced on the electric surfboard.Accordingly, the statistics from the “Electric Surfboard Review” claim that more than 60% of users tend to use the electrics type. About 60% of electrics users choose electrics for family fun and beginners. The Approximately 90% of novices agreed on the fact that after using electric for the first time it was so fun and easy.
Next, we are going to discuss the market tendencies, structural differences, training strategies, and users’ types’ differences between the two types of surfboards.
Market Trend
The sales of Pulseer’s efoil boards from 2019 to 2023 increased by 250%, from 800 units sold per year to nearly 5,000 units machine sold per year. Each year, about 1,200 new users purchase Pulseer’s efoil boards, and 70% is a new generation of this emerging sport. That is 840 new users choose Pulseer every year. According to the Electric Water Sports Equipment Market Report 2023, Pulseer has already obtained a 30% market share in the electric surfboard market, and the next five years should continue to grow.
On the other hand, the market growth rate of traditional surfboard has been at around 5%. From 2018 to 2023, the sale of traditional surfboard decreased to 7,000 units from 8,000 units machine. Although regular surfboard sales are becoming more stable, it does not show significant growth. According to the Global Surfing Sports Research Report 2023, the market growth rate for these traditional surfboards has been at only 5% below that for an electric surfboard. Notably, the main users of traditional surfboards are veterans, with less than 20% being new users. From the Electric Surfboard Market Analysis Report 2023, the market needs for an electric surfboard has been increasing with a value increase to 40% in 2023 from 15% in 2019. Increased usage shows that most users are embracing the use of electric surfboards and abandoning the traditional units. Looking at the data from Electric Surfboard Market Analysis Report 2023, the traditional surfboard had a market share of 85% in 2019. However, in 2023, its portion decreased to 60% for the regular surfboard.
Structural Difference
Pulseer’s efoil boards, with a 2.5kW motor and a 20 amp-hour battery, to be located at the bottom or middle of the board. They can glide seamlessly without waves, with a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour being introduced. As the “Electric Water Sports Equipment Market Report 2023” finds, efoil boards have a battery life of about 1.5 hours, while regular surfboards can not be used in calm waters. The data shows that the distance Pulseer’s efoil boards travel in one hour is over three times that of regular surfboards. We can see from the boards’ structurally different features described above that the differences directly affect the use frequency and model of both boards.
Regular surfboards depend mainly on waves and manual paddle and are often made from foam or fiberglass, weighing between 3 and 5 kilograms. The built-in motor and battery Pulseer efoil boards weigh 15 kilograms. As the “Surf Equipment Weight Comparison Report 2023” points out, efoil boards are three times heavier than regular surfboards. It is also very difficult to operate and increases the difficulty of storage and portability. Since the boards, as described above, have a motor and battery that can be used without waves, its range of use and over-uses has increased, with water sports users in “Water Sports User Survey Report 2023 “ These users use efoil boards an average of 4 times a week, where regular surfboard users average less than 2 times. We can see from the structurally different features of both boards that the two boards have a big difference in handling difficulty and overuse.
Training Skills
Professional coaches state that beginners typically need 10 to 15 hours to master the basic operation of efoil boards, while regular surfboards require 30 to 50 hours (according to the "Water Sports Training Report 2023"). In Pulseer's training courses, 70% of students can independently ride the efoil board after the first lesson, while only 30% of regular surfboard students master basic skills in the same time. Data shows that beginners on Pulseer's efoil boards can complete at least 5 successful rides within 10 hours on average, while beginners on regular surfboards need 30 hours to achieve the same results.
This difference in learning efficiency makes efoil boards more attractive to beginners and lowers the entry barrier. According to the "Global Water Sports Market Analysis 2023" report, 90% of efoil board users find the learning process easy and enjoyable, while only 50% of regular surfboard users feel the same. Additionally, the course fees for efoil boards are relatively lower, averaging $50 per hour, compared to $70 per hour for regular surfboard courses (according to the "Water Sports Course Fees Report 2023"). Pulseer's efoil board courses are becoming increasingly popular among beginners, with data showing that the number of students enrolling in efoil board courses has increased by 200% in the past two years (according to the "Electric Surfboard User Survey Report 2023"). These quantitative data fully demonstrate the advantages of efoil boards in training efficiency and user satisfaction.
Applicable Population
Pulseer’s efoil boards are more suitable for more types of users and are especially popular with people who are more likely to seek new and more technological experiences. The data is that 25 to 45 years of age account for more than 60% of the people who buy Pulseer’s efoil board, with 60% of the people being male and 40% female users. Meanwhile, 50% of people who purchase the efoil boards work in the Technology profession and 30% of users are extremely sports users. Furthermore, regular surfboard users are younger between 18 and 30, with 70% being male and 30% female (“Global Surfing Sports Research Report 2023”). The majority of users of the two products are different, which is also an important reflection of the two products’ positioning in the market.
Efoil boards are more targeted by tech people and sports lovers. With a better experience for both Pulseer’s satisfaction is also higher. The data shows that 70% of people who use this product are generally satisfied with the high-tech characteristics of this product and that 60% of people who use it recommend it to others. At the same time, when people who use regular surfboards are asked if they are satisfied with their products, only 40% say they are satisfied; only 30% say they recommend it to their friends. Pulseer’s efoil boards appeal to more types of users with higher customer satisfaction, uniqueness, technology, lower experience, and more innovative experiences overall.