Rite of Passage | Lift Foils

Did anyone realise that the idea for the first commercial eFoil was conceived on a mountain hike with the assistance of a few champiñones? Neither did we. Watch this excellent bio film of Nick Leason's journey of discovery. 

The story behind Lift Foils — raw, unfiltered, and 15 years in the making.

In the world of foiling, Lift is a name that resonates. But until now, few have seen what it really took to build the brand that helped shape a sport. Rite of Passage peels back the layers of that journey.

This new short film from Lift Foils is part origin story, part personal reckoning. It follows founder Nick Leason through a decade and a half of obsession, risk, failure, and innovation—from shaping boards in a backyard “shop” in Puerto Rico to developing the world’s first eFoil. Along the way, it captures the tension of building something entirely new in a space that didn’t exist yet.

The film is more than a highlight reel. It’s reflective. Honest. Emotional. Featuring unseen archival moments, cinematic visuals, and raw interviews with the Lift team, Rite of Passage reveals the soul behind the tech, and the clarity that comes from being pushed to your limit.

“We’ve told pieces of this story before,” says Leason. “But not like this. This one’s for the people who’ve ever bet everything on an idea.”

Directed by Christian Suau and produced on location in Puerto Rico, Rite of Passage is both a love letter to the roots of Lift and a setup for its next era: the launch of LIFT5 and LIFTX.

It’s not about specs. It’s about soul. And what happens when a crew of riders decides to chase the unknown. Together.

Directed by Christian Suau