History

Surprisingly the history of human powered hydrofoils is much shorter than the history of hydrofoils in general.

So was it already at the end of the 19th century when Enrico Forlanini invented the hydrofoil. Shortly after that Graham Bell  built a hydrofoil and named it HD for "hydrodome". He then build different versions reaching 30 mph, 50 mph and finally the HD4. This hydrofoil was reaching 70.86 mph powered by a powerful engine.! The record this hydrofoil set will stand for ten years.

But even after these 10 years it was another 30 years till Dipl. Ing Julius Schuck presented his first human powered hydrofoil to the public. He called it the "Wasserläufer" (Water runner). The TV report about this hydrofoil dates back to 1953.

Translation of the news report:

And another patent for advanced mobility. The Wasserläufer a simple machine based on complicated calculations. You push water and move. The father and driver of this machine is a engineer in Bavaria. Up and down, up and down without any rudder or paddle wheel. Everything self powered with muscle power and ingenuity.

 
Hydrofoils
Wasserläufer
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Foiled Again
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Mutiny on the Boundry Layer
Imperial Racer
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Sabertooth
Flying Magic
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Aqua Power
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AquaSkipper
Hydrofoil Kayak Flyak
Project Pedal Aquaskipper
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Human Powered Hydrofoils - When ingenuity meets pure human power. No matter if you live close to the sea or just have a small lake around, no matter if you got flat water and no wind or you got some waves - with a human powered hydrofoil there is always a way to have fun in the water and do some great watersports. Unlike surfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, sailing and windsurfing you are completly free of the need for wind, swell and engine powered boats. There are not many sports that will always require that much power from an athlete only to keep going. But at the same time have this addictive and sensational feeling of flying. Especially when riding the aquaskipper you can really imagine what a bird must feel when he makes these strong strokes with his wings. The kind of propulsion is also called flapping wing propulsion. Some other human powerd hydrofoils use a Propellar which is powered by a bicycle like chain and pedal setup. This is a great way to enjoy pacific oceans or caribean seas, ride the waves of hawai or maui.