Riding the Wave: How a Former Olympian is Redefining Water Sports with a Hydrofoil Bike
For most of us, the sight of a wave conjures images of surfing or perhaps a thrilling boat ride. But for Marc Willers, a two-time Olympic BMX racer, waves – and even mountain ranges – have always represented something more: potential jumps. This unique perspective, born from a lifelong obsession with bicycles, has led him to an extraordinary innovation: SUBI, a hydrofoil bike that allows riders to glide above the water's surface. Personally, I find this fusion of extreme sports incredibly compelling, a testament to how a singular vision can bridge seemingly disparate worlds.
From BMX Tracks to Liquid Air
Willers' journey to creating SUBI is a fascinating narrative of iterative design and a keen eye for emerging trends. His initial attempts, dating back to around 2016, involved simply placing a bike on a surfboard – a concept that, understandably, proved less than effective. What truly sparked the breakthrough was the burgeoning popularity of hydrofoiling. "I saw hydrofoiling pop up and then that just got my mind spinning on how I could make that work under a bike," he recalls. This is a critical insight; innovation often arises not from inventing something entirely new, but from cleverly adapting existing technologies to novel applications. From my perspective, this is where true ingenuity lies – in seeing the potential where others might not.
Beyond the Mundane Water Bike
Let's be honest, the water bikes we've typically encountered are, at best, leisurely conveyances for placid lakes. They offer little in the way of exhilaration and are, as Willers aptly puts it, "basically a stationary bike on water." SUBI, however, is a completely different beast. By employing a hydrofoil, the bike lifts itself out of the water as it gains speed, offering a sensation akin to flying. The integration of handlebars connected to a rudder system provides intuitive steering, making it feel more like a familiar cycling experience. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential for dynamic riding – whether it's carving through boat wakes, riding ocean swells, or even attempting aerial maneuvers. I can only imagine the sheer joy of experiencing that feeling of perpetual lift.
The "Pump Track" Sensation on Water
One of the most significant hurdles in hydrofoiling, for any sport, is the steep learning curve. Many beginners find themselves spending more time in the water than on their boards. Willers, however, believes that the familiar interface of handlebars significantly shortens this process. He describes the experience as intuitive, likening it to riding a pump track. "Once it clicks, this is just riding a pump track on the water," he explains. This comparison is pure gold for anyone who has ever experienced the flow and rhythm of a pump track. It suggests that SUBI isn't just a novelty; it's a sport that taps into a deeply ingrained cycling skill set, making it more accessible and, dare I say, more addictive. In my opinion, this is a masterstroke in marketing and user experience design.
The Profound Freedom of Flight
So, why would someone dedicate years to developing such a unique watercraft? The answer, as Willers articulates, is profoundly simple: freedom. "It is as freeing as you could imagine," he says. He likens the sensation to the moment you leave the ground on a bike jump, but with one crucial difference – you're perpetually in mid-air. "You're permanently in midair and never coming down from the jumps. And you can just just carve around and back and forth." This description paints a vivid picture of an experience that transcends mere recreation; it's about achieving a state of effortless glide, a ballet on water. What this really suggests is a desire to escape the limitations of gravity and friction, to experience a purer form of movement.
Carving a New Niche
Willers isn't necessarily aiming to replace traditional water sports. Instead, he envisions SUBI carving out its own unique niche. He sees these hydrofoil bikes becoming staples at resorts, docked alongside wake boats, or becoming the must-have item at waterfront cottages. The Kickstarter campaign boldly declares SUBI as a "new category of riding entirely," and while that might sound ambitious, I believe it's entirely plausible. This isn't just another watercraft; it's an entirely new way to interact with water. The question of an electric version is also on the horizon, though Willers is prioritizing a "pure and raw" experience for now. If this innovative blend of cycling and hydrofoiling piques your interest, supporting Willers' Kickstarter could be your ticket to experiencing this exhilarating new frontier as early as fall 2026. What I find most exciting is the possibility of seeing this evolve, perhaps even inspiring entirely new forms of human-powered water exploration.
