Safety

The Key Pre-checks Include

Battery Check

Before you foil make sure your motor-battery contact point is fully connected, sealed and switched off. Exposure of electrical contacts to water, or debris could lead to an electrical shock and battery malfunction. Making sure that the battery is inserted and attached properly is critical.

To do this, first ensure your battery is switched off,  then connect it to the cable in the battery tray.

• When properly secured, the red dot on your cable should sit flush with the lever and you will hear a small click sound as you clip them  together.

• Make sure that you cannot see the small red dot on the connector - if you can’t, it is properly connected.

• Once you’ve lightly tightened in the grub screws, move the battery side to side. This is to ensure there is a small amount of play and that the grub screws are not over tightened as this can damage the battery housing.

• Any damage to the battery housing may compromise the battery cells, causing a battery malfunction and result in serious injury.

• With the battery off, turn the pedals and feel the resistance through the cranks as the propeller spins.

• Next, turn the battery on looking for a solid light and a loud beep. With the battery on, check the battery assist is working by turning the pedals again. This should feel much easier to rotate and the propeller should spin.

• When doing this, keep all limbs well clear from the propeller to avoid any injuries. A more detailed explanation on battery installation can be found in our Transport & Assembly Course..

CAUTION: Never unplug, handle, or change the battery while in the water. If you do need to swap batteries, or inspect terminals for any reason, return to dry land away from water & sand.

• Ensure the battery tray is dry and clear of debris. 

• We recommend that riders dry their hands and battery cable first before removing, and position connectors in a way that any water does not drip or pool onto the connectors.

• Always turn the battery off before moving your hydrofoiler.  This is to ensure no assisted power can be directed towards the propeller when you are not foiling. 

• Aside from the necessary assembly and disassembly process for transportation, the propeller should never be handled. 

• Under no circumstances should you ever put any body part near the propeller when the battery is connected.
  
  KEEP YOUR BATTERY IN A SHADED ENVIRONMENT when not foiling, a cooler battery will increase the longevity of your bike

Chain Tension

A correctly tensioned chain will minimize risk of chain falling off. Please check this video to learn how to do it:

Bolt check

You’re almost ready to foil, but before riding, check that all bolts on the bike are correctly tightened. This includes:

• Pedal

• Crank

• Stem

• Seat Clamp

• Foils (front and rear)

Lastly, always make sure someone knows where you are riding, and you know what the weather is doing. 

Rider Apparel

Compulsory

• Life Jacket: As with any water sport, we recommend always using a certified life jacket for the area you are foiling in. Check your local marine laws if unsure.

Recommended

• Wetsuit: 

  Manta5 recommends a wetsuit or similar for cold water to minimize risk of exposure in a scenario where the rider spends more time in the water than anticipated. It takes much longer and a lot of energy to swim the bike out - add warning to stay close while learning then expand your range.

• Dive booties (great for Winter riding) 

• Lightweight riding gear (e.g. quick dry shorts and top)