Our Blog

Let us introduce you to the exciting experience of foiling. There is nothing else like flying over water in virtual silence.
  • The Manta5 SL3 Hydrofoil Bike: The awesome new version first ride report

    If you're looking for a new way to enjoy the water and stay active, the Manta5 SL3 hydrofoil bike might…

    If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy the water and stay active, the Manta5 SL3 hydrofoil bike might just be the perfect solution. I had the opportunity to try out this innovative water bike recently, and I was thoroughly impressed with its capabilities.

    I started with the deep water start. At first I wasn’t holding my feet at the same height on the pedal. After a few failed attempts I learned it was important to balance your weight on the pedals to keep a straight track. Having found my balance, I put trust in the throttle to bring me to the surface. Once I was on the foil, the bike maintained elevation and stability, even through a few boat wakes.

    After riding around for a bit, I was able to crank the pedals and adjust the ride assist to my liking. I found that full assist made pedaling almost unnecessary, so I backed off on the assist seeking more of a challenge. Riding on the foil was a unique sensation, different from other foils I have experienced but still a cool experience.

    The bike maintained stability when standing on the pedals and when seated on the saddle, and the self-leveling wing configuration made it easy to ride. Turning was also effortless, with broad turns requiring only a slight lean and a turn of the tiller. In no time I wanted to see how the SL3 carved and found that it was possible with a bit more agressive body lean and a quick rotation of the tiller.

    A word of caution, if you stop pedaling, it sinks into the water, so if you need a break, just hit the throttle to maintain plane while you sit back and relax. You may be wondering about falling from the bike. This was no big deal at all; you just sink back into the water. No need to jump from the bike; its safety sensors kill the prop when it hits extreme angles.

    Overall, I spent about an hour or so pushing the Manta5 SL3 through it’s paces. I found it to be a repeatable and enjoyable experience. This is going to be a great crossover for foilers who are also cyclists (think low levels of assist) while at the same time being a fun fun leisure activity for families (think high assist). I was so impressed with the bike that I signed up to become a dealer. Unhooked Sports will be offering sales, lessons, and rentals. The ETA is June or July. We have a very limited number of stock coming in; reach out to us about pre-orders.

    In conclusion, the Manta5 SL3 is an exciting and innovative way to stay active on the water. Whether you’re an experienced water sports enthusiast or a complete beginner, I highly recommend giving the Manta5 SL3 a try. Who knows, maybe we’ll even see some races on these things in the future!

    For more product information see Manta5’s website or reach out to UnhookedSports.com

Learn to Fly Now!

This sport is for anyone that is comfortable being in the water. We have trained ages 10 to 80. 
Book Your Lesson