If your first reaction to an electric surfboard was “Seriously?,” you’re not alone. Why would anyone ever want an electric surfboard? Why not just come up with something completely different? We’re still searching for the answer to that question, but if we’re being honest, the Awake Ravik is definitely still worth taking a look at.
Awake is a Swedish company, one that designs and builds some of the finest surfboards in existence. They apparently have a need for speed, as their latest creation is capable of going over 35 miles an hour. Impressive for a surfboard, to say the least. It achieves these adrenaline-producing speeds using an 11kw brushless motor, with some serious torque: it can go from 0 to 50 knots (roughly 57 mph) in under 4 seconds, kind of like your favorite Ferrari. It runs off a lithium-ion battery with a runtime of 40 minutes of mixed riding, and you can swap the battery out for a fresh one to keep the fun going even longer; the dead pack will charge in as little as 80 minutes.
The Ravik’s body is built from carbon fiber, bringing total weight (including battery) to 77 lbs. Hardly light, but obviously light enough to chew up some waves. And to keep things simple, Awake designed the Ravik to cool itself using nothing more than the water itself; a composite covering and hull keep them dry while letting the cold water cool them off.
The best part? Riding it. The Ravik is controlled by a wireless handheld controller – kind of like a joystick – that you hold in your hand while riding the waves. It has throttle and battery life displayed on a tiny 1” screen, as well as stats from your rides. There are also several preset “rider modes” to choose from. The worst part? The price. The Awake Ravik will run
you a hefty $22,000. Unless you’re the most dedicated of surfers with a need for speed, you’ll likely find that asking price a bit too steep. If you can afford the price of a small car for a cool new toy, then you might just love it.
