At first glance, the act of hydrofoiling may seem like a mirage. But no, it’s real. A hydrofoil is a small surfboard with a carbon fiber “wing” attached to its bottom.

It’s windy and cold. The ocean is serving up its best impression of a blended Frappuccino, heavy whip — pretty much the worst conditions imaginable for surfing. But on a hydrofoil surfboard ...

Hydrofoils are wing-like blades that usually sit underneath a boat's hull and cut through the water as the boat speeds up.

That hydrofoil also allows surfers to ride waves that are smaller or faster than possible on a traditional surfboard. So where does the electric part of the sport come in?