Next week at the Palm Beach International Boat Show in Florida, Lind Art & Technology will demonstrate its new electric surfboard with the look and feel of a traditional board but with an underside electric drivetrain. The startup’s first stock release, the Canvas, draws inspiration from iconic surfboard designs, and it serves as the basis for its subsequent board models.

The surfboard emphasizes craftsmanship, thoughtful shaping, and exceptional performance. It is shaped from EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam and glassed-in epoxy resin, with fine details like its oak wood tail block and stringer.

“Our approach to product design has been to start from the outside in; to start with a surfboard—something organic, natural, and that we all truly respect—and to find a way to seamlessly integrate the boundary-pushing technology required,” said Alex Lind, Co-Founder and CPO of Lind. “Our brand vision, on the other hand, is to peel back the layers of what makes surf so attractive and apply those qualities to Lind: the craftsmanship of board shaping and deep connection between a surfer and their board, the ease of ownership, the youthfulness the sport inspires, and the artistry of storytelling and filmmaking.”

Co-founded in 2021 by Lind, CEO Anders Dellson, and COO Mattias Söderhielm, and rooted in California and Sweden, the Lind team has been dreaming of surfing without waves, and that has become a reality with its “new way to play.” The result of intensive design and engineering work, Lind boards—including the battery, jet, wireless remote, charger and all accessories—are entirely designed in-house from scratch.

Unlike the competition, the board, battery, and jet are stand-alone pieces that can be assembled when ready to ride thanks to a robust frame design built into the board’s rocker. This unique design significantly reduces board weight to 7 kg (15 lb), allowing a surfer to carry it under his/her arm just like a classic board. Weights are 22 lb (10 kg) for the jet and 37 lb (17 kg) for the battery. The drivetrain can be conveniently packed in a backpack.

Lind boards are modular and tool-less, and they are supplied with over 50 sensors and microprocessors empowered by an always-on mobile network connection, making for painless and uncomplicated setup, transportation, and service. Ease of transportation paired with a set-up process taking less than one minute ensures users can get on nearly any waterway as quickly and easily as possible.

The Canvas comes in two sizes: the shortboard, at 75 x 20.8 x 5.7 in (1905 x 528 x 145 mm) and 66 L, and the mid-length model, at 81 x 23.5 x 5.7 in (2057 x 597 x 145 mm) and 88 L. It is controlled by a wireless remote, allowing a surfer to smoothly accelerate as he/she gets their footing, gradually opening up the drivetrain until a preferred planing speed is reached. Lind boards offer a choice between sharp, wide, open, and deep turns or quiet, calming, and cathartic cruising.

The goal of the Lind team of surfboard shapers, industrial designers, and electromechanical engineers was to create a board that lets the surfer’s eyes lead the way, responding to their movements naturally, and facilitating a state of presence and flow.

The jet propulsion system is engineered to be smaller and lighter than competition, weighing just 22 lb (10 kg), while being twice as powerful. The gearbox design achieves 97% efficiency, converting nearly all of its input power into output power.

Lind boards generate 20 kW for speeds of up to 37 mph (60 km/h) and a 3.1-kW·h battery pack for a ride time of up to 45 min. They are some of the world’s most power-dense EVs (electric vehicles) at nearly 1 hp/kg, have an energy density two times that of a Tesla Model S, dual motors spinning at twice that of an F1 racecar at 30,000 rpm, and a waterjet that can empty a standard bathtub in less than 2 s.

The board’s battery is optimized for energy efficiency, weight, longevity, and durability. Located beneath, it is cooled by the water aided by an aluminum cooling plate that efficiently transfers battery heat to the water to prevent overheating and maximize cell longevity. With the Lind charger, the battery charges to 100% with a standard 120-V U.S. outlet in 2 h and a 230-V outlet in just 1 h.

In addition to class-leading energy/power density and output, Lind has introduced advanced safety and durability innovations.

To ensure safety, the board only operates when face down in the water, thanks to an internal sensor system that monitors the board’s orientation. The jet system also features safety sensors that prevent the impeller from spinning unless it’s fully submerged in water, reducing the risk of accidents.

The battery uses replaceable nickel- and gold-coated connectors with watertight redundant sealing, is self-balancing thanks to real-time individual cell voltage monitoring, includes automated overheating controls, and uses the world’s finest materials to optimize for weight, durability, corrosion resistance, and thermal conductivity.

The battery’s printed circuit board includes a network of 48 embedded temperature sensors that enable it to rapidly identify local pack hot spots and protect itself in response. The battery includes multiple layers of advanced protection, including selected materials for durability and safety purposes, electrolytic capacitors to smooth out voltage, and four levels of electrical fusing to disconnect if the battery were to get too hot.

Canvas prices start at $24,950, excluding VAT, and include the board, drivetrain, remote, charger, board bag, and fins. See the board in action via this short YouTube video.