Aerofoils as a Guest in the Autostadt: eFoil Flights in Wolfsburg

At a Glance

• In summer 2021, we were guests at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg, and many visitors took their very first eFoil flight with us.
• The water by the Autostadt runs right past the Volkswagen power station, one of the most striking backdrops we've ever ridden in front of.
• At the same event, Volkswagen's then-CEO Herbert Diess rode our board too, organized through our founder's contact at Audi, and sent a video greeting to his employees from it.
• Today you can try an Aerofoils eFoil at test locations across Europe.

Some events stay with you because of the people, some because of the place. Our days at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg had both: curious guests, summer weather and a backdrop of red brick and four tall chimneys.

An eFoil is a board you stand on that hovers above the water: an electric motor drives it, and a hydrofoil, a wing under the surface, holds it up. The lift-off comes at about 20 km/h, and at the Autostadt many guests felt that moment for the first time. Here's what the days were like, why the location was special and where you can try an eFoil yourself today.

What Happened at the Autostadt?

In summer 2021, many water sports fans got the chance to fly our eFoil over the water at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg. Guests took their first flying lessons, enjoyed cool drinks and snacks between rides, and many stayed on to soak up the sun and the relaxed atmosphere by the water. One of the guests was Volkswagen's then-CEO Herbert Diess, more on that below.

For most visitors, it was the first time on an eFoil. That's what made the days so lively. People who had never stood on a board before tried a few starts, fell, laughed, tried again, and suddenly glided. Others just watched from the shore and asked questions: How fast does it go? Is it hard? How does the board stay up?

We answered those questions all day long. If you're curious too, our guide on what an eFoil is covers the basics, and how a hydrofoil works explains the physics behind the lift.

Where Is the Autostadt?

The Autostadt is Volkswagen Group's visitor attraction next to its main plant in Wolfsburg, Germany. It opened in 2000, sits on the Mittelland Canal and welcomes around two million visitors a year, according to the Wikipedia article on the Autostadt. Its landmarks include two 60-meter glass car towers.

For eFoiling, the location was unusual in the best sense. Most of our rides happen on lakes or by the sea, with mountains, beaches or open water behind us. In Wolfsburg, the backdrop was industrial: the brick Volkswagen power station with its four chimneys, freight trains along the quay and a barge moored nearby.

Flying in front of the Volkswagen power station: the board glides above the water, only the mast and the wing stay below the surface.

The calm, sheltered water helped too. Flat water is ideal for a first flight, because the board reacts only to your movements and not to waves. That's why we always look for calm spots for try-out days.

What Does a First eFoil Flight Look Like?

A first eFoil flight usually starts lying or kneeling on the board, at low power. Once you feel balanced, you stand up, increase the speed and the board lifts off at around 20 km/h. Most beginners need a few attempts, and falling is part of it. The water is soft, and the motor stops when you let go.

At the Autostadt, guests followed the same steps we teach everywhere:

1. On the shore: a short briefing on the remote, the safety rules and how to fall safely.
2. Lying on the board: riding slowly to get a feel for the throttle and steering.
3. Kneeling, then standing: finding your stance with the weight centered.
4. The first flight: gently adding speed until the board rises, then holding the height with small shifts of weight.

Falling is part of learning. On a test day, nobody stays dry for long, and that's half the fun.

From our experience: the first standing flight is the moment people remember. It often comes faster than they expect, usually after a few honest attempts and one or two splashes.

You'll find the full step-by-step method in our guide on how to eFoil, and a list of what to check before you start in our pre-ride safety checklist.

Herbert Diess on the eFoil

At the same event, we welcomed a special guest: Volkswagen's then-CEO Herbert Diess. Our founder worked at Audi at the time and had a direct line to him, and through that contact we organized a ride on our board for him. Diess used it to send a video message to his employees, thanking them for a strong first half of the year. You can watch the video on YouTube.

The ride also made the news: electrive reported on 29 July 2021, and auto motor und sport wrote that he rode between the Autostadt and the Volkswagen power station, the same stretch of water where all the other guests took their first flights.

From Then to Now: How Our eFoils Have Evolved

At the time of this event, our boards were sold as the Audi e-tron foil. Since then, our range has grown into a full lineup of our own. The idea stayed the same: an electric hydrofoil with an enclosed jet drive that is quiet and easy to learn.

Under the board: mast, jet drive and wings. The drive sits inside the mast, with no exposed propeller.

Today, the range covers five boards:

Board	Type	Good for
Hyperfly	Inflatable with the Hyperbar handlebar	First flights, families, schools
Airfly	Inflatable, packs small	Travel and easy storage
Adventure	Full-carbon hardboard, 103 liters	Beginners and relaxed cruising
Performance	Full-carbon hardboard, 83 liters	Riders who want more agility
Competition	Full-carbon hardboard, 73 liters	Speed and racing

Riders who try our boards often remark how steady they feel underfoot, which suits first-timers. The Hyperfly, with its wide inflatable body and handlebar, is a regular favorite at test days. Not sure which one fits you? The Board Match Quiz finds your board in two minutes.

Where Can You Try an eFoil Today?

You can try an Aerofoils eFoil at test locations, schools and partners across Europe. The find us page shows every location on a map, so you can pick the one nearest to you. Many offer guided first flights like the ones at the Autostadt.

Good to know: rules for riding an eFoil differ from one body of water to the next. On canals and other federal waterways in Germany, the waterways and shipping administration is responsible, on lakes it can be the state, the municipality or the owner. Before you ride somewhere new, ask locally.

Thank you to everyone who flew with us in Wolfsburg. See you on the water.