Sunrise Laps on the LiftX Florence 4’7:
Why This eFoil Finally Won Me Over
I’ve been foiling in the Gorge for over a decade, and for most of that time I treated eFoils as a tool for teaching, or buzzing around in flat water… not something I’d choose to ride myself. That changed this summer. Most mornings now start the same way: truck backed up to the water before the sun clears the hills, board out of the bag, click, click, click, and I’m on foil before the coffee’s cold. The board that did it is the LiftX Florence 4’7, John Pyzel’s collaboration shape built with John and Nathan Florence.
Here’s what it is, how I’ve set it up, and why it works so well for the way we ride out here.
My setup
I’m running the stock [Vario 150 LCS] front wing from Lift most days, and swapping in the Armstrong HA880 on a custom fuselage when I want more glide. Both are excellent for Gorge downwind conditions — the Lift wing for pump-and-carve laps close to shore, the HA880 for connecting bumps when the river’s really running.
The other piece that matters is the propulsion: a 32″ LCS Carbon mast with a 55 mm direct-drive motor mounted low on the mast, and Lift’s folding Glide prop. Direct drive is quieter and more efficient than a gearbox, and the LiftX runs noticeably quieter than the other systems I’ve been on. Nobody at the Hatchery hears me coming.
Lift Vario LCS Front Wing
Armstrong HA Front Wing
The moment it clicked
The thing that blew my mind: I can run downwind with no propulsion at all. Let off the throttle, the prop folds flat, and the drag from that 55 mm low-mount motor is undetectable. I’m just riding swell on a foil, same as I would on my downwind board — except when the bump dies, I squeeze the trigger and I’m back on the next one instead of swimming. For anyone who’s spent years learning to read the Columbia’s bumps, that’s a completely new way to ride the river.
The board
The Florence 4’7 is small for an eFoil — 4’7″ x 20.5″ x 4″, 49 liters, 16 pounds bare. Pyzel pulled the nose and tail in so the mass sits close to your stance, and the raised rail edges and tail kick pad give you something to push against when you’re driving the board through a turn. There are foot strap inserts and leash plugs, and the whole thing is woven carbon. It’s built for riders up to 180 pounds who want a board that turns like a surf foil, not a platform.
Fully rigged with the LiftX Light battery, my setup weighs right around 40 pounds. That’s heavier than most electric foils, and I won’t pretend otherwise. But weight on paper and weight under your feet are two different things. Lift put the battery between your feet, directly above the front wing, and that balance is the whole story. On throttle or off, the 4’7 feels nimble and rippable — I forget the battery is there.
Battery, range, and what a session actually looks like
The second is home turf — the Corridor, launching from the Hatchery. 19.71 miles on a two-battery morning, 11.7 mph average, 16.5 max. That’s a lot of river before work!
LCS: from truck to water in minutes
Unboxing and the small stuff
Lift’s attention to detail on this product is unrivaled. It ships with a high-quality board bag, a mast and propulsion case, a battery backpack, and a wing bag, plus the hand controller and charger. Everything has a place, and everything survives being thrown in the back of a truck. The Florence comes in Florence Red or Off-White, both look amazing!
Who this is for
The Florence 4’7 isn’t the beginner’s board — that’s what our lesson fleet is for. This is for the foiler who already rides and wants an eFoil that carves like a surf foil, glides downwind off throttle, and rigs in minutes. If that’s you, come by the shop, or check them out at Lift’s next demo day here in Hood River!
