By Will Burgess

Salt Lake City, UT — Sea-Doo unveiled a prototype model of a consumer-grade hydrofoil “surfing” board at the annual Club BRP (NASDAQ: DOOO) global product launch event for vehicles projected for 2023 and beyond.

The 2024 Sea-Doo Rise, a personal, electric watercraft board was introduced for the first time to the public Sunday night.

 “With the Sea-Doo Rise, BRP is leveraging its expertise to address an untapped market category and further position the company for future growth,” said José Boisjoli, President and CEO of BRP. “We have set out to be the key actor in growing and democratizing the hydrofoiling watersport industry.”

The board, classed as a personal hydrofoil is driven by an upright operator and uses jet propulsion to elevate the board over the water. Several hydrofoil like these exist in the marketplace, but Sea-Doo marks the first major personal watercraft manufacturer to back this kind of technology in what is expected to draw major attention to a craft that previously been considered both niche and expensive to buy with some hydrofoil costing almost as much as an entry-level PWC.

The Rise can be ridden and configured for any number of riding styles from an upright standing position with a handlebar for operator stability, to a lying down position, with all manner of control driven by a wireless hand-throttle, meaning you can treat it like a standing jet-ski or a surfboard depending on your preference at that moment.

“In true BRP fashion, we designed a product that is easy to use and adaptable for all skill levels, making it accessible for all those seeking to rise above the water,” said Boisjoli at the product unveiling.

The foil that propels the vehicle both vertically and horizontally, can be set fully or partially deployed for maximum speed and handling, as well as completely docked to the board to boost comfort and stability for new and inexperienced operators.

Sea-Doo has stated the unit will be “easy to charge” and uses very minimal battery to operate, for enjoyment of a day out on the water.

BRP has not released product specs or a price yet, but these will be announced next year ahead of the 2024 product launch of the Rise for public purchase.

Last year Sea-Doo introduced several innovative watercraft, including the 2022 Sea-Doo Switch jet-propelled, modular pontoon as well as some PWC engineered for fishing enthusiasts.
In 2021 BRP pledged to invest $300 million over the next five years to electrify its existing product lines by the end of 2026, with some electric Sea-Doo PWC among the electrification candidates.

We will continue to follow BRP’s journey to expand their electric vehicle offerings as new products are revealed.

Cover: the Sea-Doo Rise personal hydrofoil was unveiled to the public and press late on Sunday at the BRP conference in Salt Lake City, UT. | credit: BRP.

Will Burgess is a journalist with Adrenaline Powersports Mag