Summer trends

Texans are gliding over lakes and beaches in this summer's coolest watersport trend — eFoiling

It's like a magic carpet ride on the water.

Courtesy Foil Gulf Coast

The trendiest watersport of summer 2023 is taking people to new heights – about two feet above water, to be exact.

EFoiling (also referred to as electric or motorized surfing) lets riders glide or “fly” above the water using a battery-operated surfboard. A real-life magic carpet ride of sorts, the electronic eFoil board (which gives the sport its name) is propelled by a vertical, airplane-like wing underneath that lifts it and its rider above water at varying speeds – as if they're levitating – no waves required.

While the watersport is still fairly new, eFoil operators recently have popped up on lakes across Texas and on beaches all along the Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida.

Allen, Texas native Gavin Rudolph, in fact, launched a second career as an eFoil instructor and owner of Foil Gulf Coast in Orange Beach, Alabama. His business, which opened last September, offers eFoil lessons geared toward tourists looking for unique recreational activity while on vacation.

“It’s great for those that want something more exciting than renting a jet ski, going parasailing, or renting a canoe or kayak,” he says. “I don’t think you can have more fun at the beach in two hours.”

Rudolph, 33, grew up sailing at White Rock Lake, Lake Ray Hubbard, and Lake Texoma, and raced sailboats in college. He discovered eFoiling last summer while running a sailing camp for kids in Atlanta, he says, and he was hooked within 10 minutes (and saw business potential).

One of the watersport's big appeals? Riders can choose their level of adventure.

They can lie on their bellies, kneel, or stand up on the board. Riders control the board speed using a handheld remote. It typically hovers between 8 and 12 miles per hour at a cruising pace, but adventurous riders "fly" at up to 30 miles per hour.

The faster the speed, the more the board will lift above water – if the rider can maintain balance. The challenge is addicting for many who try the sport.

“It was so much fun,” says Rudolph of his inaugural runs. “My competitive side and my watersports side was like, ‘I’m going to figure this out.’”

Not only did Rudolph figure it out, but so did his parents, one generation older.

Barb, 58, and Glenn Rudolph, 60, both longtime residents of Allen, retired from careers as educators and relocated to Orange Beach in 2021. Together they and their son take turns giving eFoiling lessons to those who book sessions online.

Barb and Glenn typically meet students at their house on nearby Arnica Bay, while Gavin - who’s also a middle-school math teacher in New Orleans - will meet new riders all along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Alabama. They offer lessons in the Houston and Beaumont areas too, depending on party size.

Barb says many participants are surprised at how much progress they can make in just one lesson.

“Although eFoiling still requires a level of fitness, flexibility, balance, and athleticism, it is easier on your body than water skiing, knee-boarding, or wakeboarding," she says. "You can go fast and push your limits, take a ride in the Gulf, or stay in the bay cruising around looking for dolphins.”

Most eFoil boards are produced by a Puerto Rico-based company called Lift, which launched the eFoiling concept in 2015. Lift currently has nearly two dozen demo partners in Texas, most of which operate near lakes. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, they're on Lewisville Lake, Eagle Mountain Lake, and Lake Bridgeport.

The boards themselves aren’t cheap, ranging from about $9,000 to $12,000. The steep price to own one makes a $275, two-hour lesson from the Rudolphs (or their $650 “Beach Party Package” for six) seem pretty reasonable.

Gavin Rudolph’s tips for first-timers?

“Take your time and don’t try to rush anything. The board will move at your pace,” he says. “You don’t have to stand up right away. When you’re out there just relax, breathe, enjoy it, take in the scenery. It makes the whole experience a little more calming and a little less work.”

Barb’s suggestions are similar.

“Bring your sense of adventure, positive attitude, desire to learn, and have fun,” she says. “We will teach you the rest.”

Courtesy Lift Foils

It's like a magic carpet ride on the water.

EFoiling lessons Electric surfing Motorized surfing sports-fitness trends vacation

weekend event planner

Here are the 15 best things to do in Houston this 4th of July weekend

Courtesy of Shell Freedom Over Texas

The city has revealed the performers for its July 4 celebration.

The 4th of July lands on a Friday this year, which means things will get especially patriotic this weekend.

We’ve already listed all the fireworks celebrations and restaurant specials that’ll be popping off on Friday. (Don’t forget about the screenings of Independence Day at River Oaks Theatre, Rooftop Cinema Club and Marriott Marquis Houston.) But there are also other must-see events happening this weekend, including a LEGO convention, the second anniversary of a Third Ward eatery, the return of a Stanley Kubrick classic, and an outlaw music festival featuring Willie Freakin’ Nelson and Bob Freakin’ Dylan!

Thursday, July 3

Brick Rodeo
Brick Rodeo is a family-friendly event that features hundreds of custom models and displays made from LEGO bricks. Creators from Texas and around the country will be available to talk about their creations. Fans who want to display their own creations, attend workshops, and participate in all the activities should purchase an All Access Pass. Families and individuals who want to spend a day viewing incredible custom creations, talking with builders, and shopping with vendors should purchase a public exhibition ticket. 9 am (8:30 am Friday-Sunday).

City Place presents Young Audiences of Houston: Painting with Watercolor Pencils Art Workshop
This free art workshop, hosted by Young Audiences of Houston teaching artist Judy Malone Stein, transforms City Place’s central waterfront plaza into a classical art studio with easels and other essential supplies. Participants are introduced to the medium of watercolor pencils and will learn basic color theory which includes the color wheel and primary and secondary colors, along with complimentary colors. They will also focus on creating compositions, using traditional visions (portraits, landscapes, still life) as their subject matter. 9:30 am.

Improv Houston presents Dustin Ross
Dustin Ross is a NAACP Image Award-winning host, writer, and producer. Fans of The Read podcast may know him as a longtime guest/friend to the show. These days, you can hear him on two pods: The Friend Zone, with co-hosts Hey Fran Hey and Assante; and Holding Court, with Eboni K. Williams. He has also hosted seasons of Bet on Black, REVOLT TV’s competition series, Bet On Black. As an on-air contributor, Ross has appeared on multiple platforms, including MTV, BET, Bravo TV, HBO, FUSE TV, GLAAD, Fox Soul, and more. 7:30 pm.

Friday, July 4

Freedom Over Texas
With an average of 50,000 people in attendance, Freedom Over Texas has become Houston’s annual, signature July 4th celebration. The live, televised event will feature local, regional, and national entertainment, headlined by Ashley McBryde and Lee Brice, and will be capped off with a musically choreographed, “Texas-sized” fireworks finale. It also features a unique non-profit component, as the event will donate a percentage of food and beverage sales to the Houston Food Bank. 4 pm.

Ensemble Theatre presents The Tap Dance Kid
Over at The Ensemble Theatre, The Tap Dance Kid is about a 10-year-old African-American kid named Willie who doesn’t want to be a lawyer like his well-to-do strict father, and dreams of becoming a dancer like his talented Uncle Dipsey, an aspiring Broadway choreographer. The final production in the theater’s 2024-25 season, this musical is filled with imaginations of stardom that keep us tapping along. Through Sunday, July 27. 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 3 pm Sunday).

Dan Electro’s presents The Broken Spokes & Oliver Penn 4th of July Party
Freedom, music, and a 4th of July Party will be going down at Dan Electros. The show will feature a performance from traditional Texas country band The Broken Spokes, a well-seasoned outfit that’s put in the time honing their craft in honky tonks across Texas,. Also performing will be Rhode Island-born, Houston-based country singer Oliver Penn, who has shared the stage with Charley Crockett, Shakey Graves, Randall King, The California Honeydrops, and Shinyribs. 9 pm.

Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra presents Graveyard Shift: Attack the Block
Guy Fawkes Night in London is a time for fireworks, fooling around, and an occasional surprise or two. But when vicious extraterrestrials decide to crash the hellraisers’ holiday, a time for making merry quickly turns scary. Writer-director Joe Cornish also ensures it’s frequently humorous as well. This frisky, vigorous 2011 spoof — propelled by an insistent electronic score by Steven Price & Basement Jaxx and a star-making lead turn from John Boyega — shows a similar sensibility in its breezy blending of goofiness and gruesomeness. 10 pm.

Saturday, July 5

Rado Market 2 Year Anniversary Celebration
Chef Chris Williams’ market and cafe at the historic Eldorado Ballroom will celebrate its two-year anniversary with a celebration that’s free and open to the public. The event will include complimentary champagne during the first hour, food specials from chef Jaden Gaines, and live music from a DJ for the first two hours. Guests can also browse and shop from a curated lineup of local vendors offering various products for sale, including Posh Body, Ambrosia Nectar, 77 Stash, and Juxx. Patrons can also enter two raffles featuring Radiant Aura samples and other giveaways. Noon.

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Winnie’s presents Labubu Face Tattoo Korean Corn Dog Karaoke Party
Never has an event’s name been a more complete description of what’s happening at the Midtown sandwich shop/cocktail bar on Saturday. Artists from Rodeo Tiger will be tattooing Labubu, the must-have accessory that feels destined to become the Beanie Babies of 2025 ($25 minimum, $50 for both sides, and $100 for full face custom work). While you wait, snack on a Korean corn dog created by chef Jennifer Hoffman. Karaoke starts at 8 pm. 1 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Barry Lyndon
This weekend, catch the 50th anniversary screening (in glorious 35mm!) of Stanley Kubrick’s lavish, Oscar-winning 1975 adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s 18th-century novel. Forced to leave Ireland after killing an English officer in a duel, young Redmond Barry (Ryan O’Neal) seeks his fortune as a soldier in Prussia, as a spy, and then as a gambler living among the elite of Europe. He changes his name and marries an aristocrat (Marisa Berenson) for her wealth, but will he finally gain the acceptance he seeks? 5 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Kings Harbor Waterfront Village presents “Fireworks on the Pier”
Looking for a post-4th of July throwdown this weekend? Kings Harbor Waterfront Village in Kingwood will have its annual “Fireworks on the Pier” celebration, a patriotic evening of family fun, live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display. Festivities include family-friendly games like Connect Four, a balloon artist, face painting and bubble stations for kids. Local restaurants will be serving up a variety of delicious food and drink options throughout the evening. A dazzling fireworks show over the pier will begin around 10 pm. 7 pm.

Movies at Miller: Wicked
We know there is a lot of y’all who can’t wait for Wicked: For Good to drop in multiplexes this winter. Before that happens, head over to Miller Outdoor Theatre and revisit the Oscar-winning Broadway musical adaptation that set it all off. In the magical Land of Oz, Wicked covers the first act, following Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her friendship with Galinda (Ariana Grande), the future Glinda the Good Witch. The audience is encouraged to come in costume. 8:30 pm.

Sunday, July 6

Eldorado Ballroom presents Ball N’ Parlay
Dubbed “A 1st Sunday Vibeout,” Ball N’ Parlay is a vibrant, Third Ward day party that’s going to be held outside the legendary Eldorado Ballroom. They’re really hyping this one up, calling it “the Sunday you’ve been waiting for, where music, community, and culture meet.” We’re just psyched that some of our favorite DJs will be doing live sets, including DJ Elevated, Maiya Papaya, Alist, and DJ Bloom. 3 pm.

Outlaw Music Festival
If you grew up going to Cactus Music and picking up the latest issue of No Depression, looking for the latest in outlaw country releases to scoop up, a fest full of iconic, guitar-strumming banditos will be making a stop at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion this weekend. The 10th anniversary tour of the Outlaw Music Festival will feature an unparalleled lineup of legends and superstars, including Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, The Avett Brothers, The Mavericks, and Tami Neilson. 4:05 pm.

CONCACAF Gold Cup Final
As of this writing, we don’t know who will be playing in the final match of the soccer championship known as the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, going down this weekend at NRG Stadium. What we do now is that the winners will be determined on Wednesday night, when the semifinal matchups – the USMNT vs. Guatemala and Mexico vs. Honduras – will take place. This also marks the first time the Gold Cup Final will be held in the state of Texas. 6 pm.

Courtesy of Freedom Over Texas

The Freedom Over Texas celebration takes place on the Fourth of July.

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