A graduate of Gdańsk University of Technology has created an electric-powered surfboard

He designed and built an electric-powered surfboard, known as an efoil, which he rides on Polish waters. Kajetan Strugała, a graduate in Ocean Engineering from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology at Gdańsk University of Technology, defended his master's thesis titled "Design of an Electric-Powered Surfboard Equipped with a Hydrofoil" and continues to develop this innovative solution.

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22 january 2025   |   19:31   |   Source: Politechnika Gdańska / Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Politechnika Gdańska

Kajetan Strugała has been interested in water sports since childhood.

– It all started with sailing. My grandfather and father passed this passion on to me. I became fascinated by board sports during middle school, and my interest in kitesurfing inspired me to choose the topic of my engineering thesis: "Design of Hydrofoils for a Kitesurfing Board." During my master’s studies, I thought about further developing the use of hydrofoils in water sports, which led me to the idea of creating an electric-powered surfboard equipped with a hydrofoil - said Kajetan Strugała.

According to Gdańsk University of Technology, their graduate initially found the idea unattainable, but over time it began to take shape.

The goal of the master's thesis was to design an electric-powered surfboard with a hydrofoil, build its prototype, and conduct performance tests.

The surfboard design – from idea to product

The project was developed using a classic design spiral method, traditionally employed in shipbuilding but adapted for this application. The efoil surfboard design process was divided into eight stages, starting with defining the board's specifications and ending with its optimization.

– At each stage, we determined the board's application, the energy efficiency of the power system, the dimensions of the hydrofoils, the hydrodynamic resistance during movement, and many other key parameters - adds Kajetan Strugała.

The project also included selecting the construction of components and designing the electrical and water-cooling systems for the propulsion unit. Ultimately, three working prototypes were created, differing in battery type, materials used, and the placement of the battery and electronic components.

For the hydrofoils, the graduate used carbon-epoxy composites, which provide high stiffness while maintaining low weight.

Two hours of use – a breakthrough in surfing

As Kajetan Strugała points out, the design of his surfboard is comparable to those produced by global companies.

– Using a brushless electric motor without a gearbox minimizes the need for frequent servicing and reduces system failures. It also lowers noise during operation. The custom-designed battery is connected to a smartphone app and a remote control with a display, enabling real-time monitoring of battery and propulsion parameters - explains the inventor.

The battery charging time is up to 1.5 hours, while the usage time is approximately two hours.

Project for big waters – where to use the 'Gdańsk' solution?

Electric-powered surfboards are a relatively new development in water sports. The first prototype was built by Nick Leason in 2017, later introduced to the market under the name efoil. Today, several companies worldwide produce efoils, some of which can now be found on Polish waters, like Kajetan Strugała's board.

– You can already ride the board. On a single battery charge, I managed to cover as much as 28 km. Riding the board offers an unforgettable experience, and thanks to the stable hydrofoil construction and well-thought-out ergonomics, learning to move on the water becomes easy and enjoyable, even for beginners - said Kajetan Strugała.

Although hydrofoils have been known for over a century, they remain relatively uncommon in recreational applications. However, as the Gdańsk University graduate emphasizes, they offer many advantages, such as noise reduction and significantly reduced drag, which translates to greater energy efficiency.

What began as a passion for water sports has evolved into a business idea that the graduate intends to further refine.

The thesis supervisor was dr. eng. Artur Karczewski.

politechnika gdańska kajetan strugała surfing efoil nick leason

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