I saw Randy at the LLSC the other day with a new Foil Drive fitted to his wingboard. He was going to try it in efoil mode and he had these clever handlebars fitted to help him stay onboard. Frankly, I wasn't sold on the idea of the handlebars (think something like on a Razor scooter).
Today I saw a blurb about a new team rider at F4 who is known for, among other things, as the "inventor" of the scoot foil. Basically a pump foil with ... a rigid version of Randy's handlebar. Randy, as always, just a bit ahead of the curve. 
See one in action https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vtfr3QVJ4J8
—
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
I got to try a buddy's efoil and I was surprised at how awkward I felt without something to hold on to. Even winging, with the wing pulling but unattached, felt more stable to me on foil.
Weasels...
She did fine with nothing to hold on to. I kind a liked the "no hands, Ma!" thing with the efoil myself. I guess I'm the strange bird.
Same for me. Yesterday was the first day I could convince myself that efoiling might be easier than wind or wingfoiling. I knew it probably was, but certainly wasn't proving it. I switched from the Yellow Submarine (f one 8ft inflato) to the Slingshot 130 liter Dialer because the Dialer looks a lot more like the commercial efoils and I thought might take off more easily. The Dialer is actually an inch or 2 narrower than the conventional "starter" efoils, but at least 2 feet longer. The rails look fairly similar. While the skinny Dialer was a lot more tippy (not ready to ditch my grab handle quite yet) once I found the balance point, it quickly became much easier than the f one when on the foil. I e-foiled better than anything I've done wind or wing foiling (e.g.) foiling turns (no wind so its not a jibe or tack) so I could stay on foil longer and and cover more water. It was nice and flat yesterday when I was foiling. Still the efoil learning curve seems pretty quick. I'm thinking to try to use a paddle with it soon to extend battery life, or assist the efoil with wing or sail (instead of the other way around).
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Great report, Randy. One thing about the efoil is that it really reinforces the "look where you want to go" thing. And it really shows up in the turns where you have to look out at an angle instead in front of the board. If you look off the nose, the turns are sketchy at best.
This, of course, translates very well to jibing.
As an extension of this, a few weeks ago I was cycling up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I was doing fine descending on the bigger curves ( we were going 35-40+ at times) but the really sharp hairpins were a bit challenging. Then it dawned on me to look way over the side I stead of over the front of the bike and they got a lot easier.
I'll admit efoils are pretty cool but the ticket is still a bit much for most of us. Sitting here at the lake today, though, having one would be nice.