Inside Lift Foils: Nick Leason on Batteries, the Lift 5 Pro, & the Future of eFoiling

Nick Leason talks all thing LIFT in this latest tech talk poddy/ visual interview mashup. 

In this exclusive interview, Verdant Ride sits down with Nick Leason — founder of Lift Foils — to talk openly about the Lift 5 Pro, the Lift X, battery reliability, supply chain struggles, and the future of racing in eFoiling. This isn’t a polished marketing piece. It’s a real conversation between two people who love the sport, with Nick candidly sharing both the triumphs and the challenges of running one of the world’s most influential eFoil companies.

Battery Reliability & Safety Nick explains why the Gen 5 battery is heavier than he wanted but far more rugged, reliable, and safe than anything Lift has produced before. He admits past issues with certain Gen 4 batches, breaks down what went wrong, and explains how software fixes and structural redesigns have made today’s batteries far more dependable.

Supply Chain & Customer Service Nick acknowledges Lift “did a bad job this summer” getting riders back on the water due to supply chain constraints, late product launches, and a trade embargo hitting key components. He shares how the backlog is nearly caught up, why next season looks far better, and what steps Lift is taking to expand customer service, fortify its supply chain, and make future orders smoother.

Lift 5 Pro: The Smoothest Ride Yet We dive deep into the Lift 5 Pro — its speed, carving performance, and stability. I share why it’s the best board I’ve ever ridden, and Nick explains the hidden design details — from carbon layup to drag reduction — that make it a completely new ride compared to previous generations.

Lift X: Smaller, Lighter, More Versatile Nick describes the Lift X as a “Lego machine” — portable, versatile, and ideal for surf, moto-surf, or flatwater. We discuss ride time tradeoffs, prop compatibility, and why it’s become his personal go-to when he has just 45 minutes to catch waves.

Racing & the Future of the Sport Nick shares his vision for course racing as the future of eFoiling, what needs to change in course design, and why Lift wants to build gear that works equally well for pros and beginners. We also talk about community involvement, “super customers,” and how riders themselves can help push the sport forward.

Closing Message from Nick Nick closes with a clear promise: Lift 5 and Lift X are the culmination of a decade of learning. Lift is not going anywhere. The company is committed to serving riders with innovative, reliable gear for years to come.