Corey opens up about his beach-centric upbringing split between Minnesota and the Gulf Coast (Gulf Shores, Alabama, near Pensacola), where he was homeschooled and spent endless days kiteboarding from age 14—thanks to living right across from the beach. With family support for that lifestyle, he built serious water skills early, ditching traditional school for powder-soft sand and wave time.
The chat shifts to his entry into eFoiling about five years ago, sparked by fatherhood reducing kiteboarding time (too weather-dependent and gear-fussy). A local Lift dealer hooked him up with a free lesson, and he was instantly addicted. He's since tested brands like Lift, Waydoo, Sci-Fly, and Fliteboard—settling firmly on Flite as his ride of choice for its superior handling, customizable setups (shims, tails, fuselages), and race-ready performance.
They geek out on gear details: Corey's favorite wings (Flow 900 conical for hard carving/high speed, 1000 Wave for surfing, Flux 707 for versatile wave riding), the game-changing folding prop (Foldy) for near-zero drag when unpowered in waves, and the Mercury-designed Jet 2 impeller boosting top speeds (up to 34-35 mph for some riders). He shares why jet drives cut prop fears (zero exposed risk) but add slight drag—ideal for beginners/safety-focused spots, while props/foldables shine in waves.
Episode Highlights:
Epic wave sessions: Recent Turks and Caicos trip with massive 15-25 ft faces from a US cold front—riding unpowered at 28.5 mph (nearly 46 km/h), getting hammered by whitewash (one 8-second underwater hold felt eternal), full-face MTB helmets, surf leashes, and high-adrenaline bailouts. Gear 20 max power for escaping sketchy spots, plus why falling in front of a heavier eFoil (42-60 lbs) demands respect and protection (chest plates coming soon?).
Safety & crashes: Real talk on impacts (mast/board hits like concrete at speed), helmet-saving backflip fails, and building confidence gradually. Prop vs. jet trade-offs in waves (jet can't breach as easily but still rideable unpowered most times).
Racing & events: From early races in Pensacola to podium wins (e.g., 1st Men's Open at Flite Dubai eFoil Festival), plus upcoming Turks and Caicos eFoil Retreat (Sept 27–Oct 4, hosted by Foil Turks and Caicos—open to all brands, coaching by Corey & Justin, prime canal/reef/flat-to-swell access).
Beyond racing: Family vibes, exploring spots, comparing eFoils to non-powered foiling, and the thrill of pushing limits in places like Dubai and Turks.
If you're into high-performance eFoiling, wave-riding on electric hydrofoils, race setups, big-swell stories, gear tweaks for speed/carving, or just stoke from a guy who's lived the progression (kite to elite eFoil racing)—this episode delivers insider insights, safety wisdom, wild wipeout tales, and pure water passion.
Follow Corey on Instagram at @mr.efly02 (or search Corey Marlatt for his eFoiling content), check his rides and race updates, and look out for the Turks and Caicos retreat via Foil Turks and Caicos. Whether you're chasing speed on flat water or charging waves, get out there—gear up, stay safe (helmet on, leash ready), and fly! 🌊⚡🏄♂️
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