WaveJet Gives Surfers Power to Go the Distance

One of the more interesting vendors we saw at the US Open of Surfing this week is WaveJet – a company that makes personal propulsion units for surfboards, kayaks, and even small boats.

The tiny propulsion unit can travel up to 10 knots and saves surfers the time of paddling out. Much like helicopter skiing lets skiers reach the high elevation powder, WaveJet gets you to where the waves are breaking four times faster than using your arms alone.

WaveJet representatives Kelly Virgulto and Alden Kirkman explained to us that the unit only needs 2 ion lithium batteries and is controlled from a band on your wrist. Other benefits of the WaveJet propulsion unit are that it doesn’t have any exhaust pollution and is virtually silent.

Not only has WaveJet proven itself with experienced surfers, but with California beach lifeguards who use it for ocean rescues. Kayakers like it because it lets them fight strong currents and sailors in light boats are using it instead of outboard motors.

We think that WaveJet’s story is the perfect example of “finding a need and filling it.” Mike Railey, WaveJet’s founder and the inventor of the technology, loved using tow-in surfing to reach the big waves, but didn’t like the hassle of needing a truck with a tow hitch and a launch with a pilot. So, he came up with his own personal propulsion unit.


Later, after meeting legendary board shaper Steve Walden at a convention, the two of them teamed up to make Railey’s invention even better. In 2007 Railey’s initial WaveJet patent was approved and since then he has received an additional one and has others pending.

The WaveJet propulsion unit, which is installed underneath where the surfer stands, adds just 15 lbs. to the board’s weight. So it has a minimal impact on the board’s balance and performance. Amateur surfers will particularly benefit from the WaveJet, getting to spend more time catching waves than struggling to reach them.  

Garrett McNamara, Extreme Surfing World Champion, thinks “WaveJet represents the future and beyond.” He says, “I have towed in with helicopters and I’ve towed in with jet skis. Now I don’t need anything but my WaveJet.”