The first ride gets all the attention. What happens around it gets less: loading the car, carrying the board down to the beach, rinsing the salt off afterwards, charging for next weekend. Those routines decide how often a board actually gets used, so they are worth understanding before you buy and worth getting right once you own one.
Getting to the water
You can carry an AWAKE board to the water with the battery fitted, or remove it to split the weight. For a longer walk, the AWAKE Battery Backpack lets you carry the battery on padded shoulder straps, leaving your hands free for the board.
When packing the gear for travel, AWAKE recommends transporting the board and battery separately. A padded board bag helps protect the deck and hull from knocks, and both the board and battery should be secured against movement.
Boat owners have it easier in one respect: once the board is aboard, the water is right there. Plan where the board and battery will sit while under way so they are secure and out of the way of crew.
Setting up at the water's edge
Setup takes a few minutes once it is familiar. For a jetboard, that means checking the fins, sliding in the charged battery, locking it, fitting the Power Key and making sure the hand controller is connected. An eFoil adds the step of attaching the board to the foil. The first few times are slower, and a calm setup on the sand is better than a rushed one in the shallows. Our step-by-step setup guides cover each model.
How long a charge lasts
Riding time has no single answer, because several things change it. Heavier riders and heavier loads use more energy. Riding at high speed uses far more than cruising. Wind, chop and current all add resistance. Cold weather affects battery performance, and the battery you choose sets the overall capacity. An eFoil also uses energy differently once it is up on the foil compared with when it is still on the surface.
For planning, think in terms of how you ride rather than a headline figure. A rider cruising on flat water will get noticeably more time than one riding hard into a breeze. The battery's LED lights show its state of charge, and our guide to reading the battery lights explains what each one means.
After a saltwater session
Salt and sand are the main enemies of any marine equipment, and the routine after each ride is simple. Power down and take the battery out. Rinse every part separately with fresh water, using gentle flow rather than a pressure washer. Let everything dry fully before it goes away, avoiding long spells in direct sun.
While it dries, take a minute to look over the board. Check for dents, scratches and loose screws, look at the jet intake for debris and make sure the battery and board connectors are clean and dry. If you find damage, get in touch before riding again. The full routine, step by step, is in our after the ride guide.
Charging and storing
Charging is straightforward, but it belongs in the right setting: somewhere dry and protected, with the connectors clean before the battery goes on the charger. Exact steps and storage advice depend on the model and battery, so follow the charging guide and the storage guide for your equipment rather than general rules of thumb. The hand controller needs charging too, and the controller charging guide covers it.
Between sessions, store the board and battery dry, indoors and out of the sun. A garage shelf or a corner of a storeroom works well. If the board will sit unused for a while, the storage guide explains how to prepare it.
Keeping in touch with the board
The Awake Link app pairs with the hand controller and battery, and syncing after a ride sends diagnostic information that helps with servicing. It is worth doing as part of the routine.
Support close to home
Owning premium marine equipment is easier when help is local. If something does not feel right, or you have a question about care, servicing or parts, contact our team. We look after AWAKE owners across Australia and New Zealand.
If you are still deciding, our guide to buying your first electric surfboard covers the questions worth asking before you choose.