Today we’d like to introduce you to Dena Cipriano
Hi Dena, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Most people who surf have a background in water sports — usually water skiing or wake boarding. Not me. I began my journey in my mid-30s, and only did SUP a handful of times. But then I saw an efoil video on YouTube of someone soaring in Miami on an electric surfboard that flew above the water! I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was on vacation at the time, and my friends decided to book a trip to Puerto Rico, where it was invented, to try it out.
It was love at first flight! During my lesson, I foiled (the act of flying above water) almost immediately while I was on my stomach. I didn’t know what I was doing at first, but I gradually learned.
I bought an efoil and was among the first sales in the world. Every time I would go out on Lake Erie, people would flag me down and ask questions. As a marketer, I called the manufacturer in Puerto Rico to see if I could help them with sales. They convinced me to open my own business as an affiliate, and I’ve been selling them in the Great Lakes region ever since. Efoiling is fantastic on inland lakes, even smaller ones, so I’ve had success in Pennsylvania and New York, too.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
You may recall that the covid years were fantastic for the water sport industry. I happened to get lucky and pop the cork on this business just before the pandemic, when folks had more leisure time to try a new sport. I’d say my road has been smoother than I expected. I didn’t know what to expect and the response in this region has been fantastic.
There are two main struggles I have experienced though. One is time management. We have a short summer season here in Lake Erie, and I wish we could efoil for a few more months longer each year.
A second struggle is perception and getting more women involved in the sport. Efoiling looks harder than it is, and sometimes people don’t think they can learn it. But it is relatively easy to do. I always say, if you can SUP, you can efoil.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Efoil Over Erie?
We are an affiliate of Lift Foils, the Puerto Rico-based inventor of the efoil. We offer efoil demos and sales in the Great Lakes, but also in other areas of Ohio, PA, NY, Michigan and Indiana. As an affiliate, we can also offer a discount on efoils. We have been in business for five years, one of the original affiliates in the world, so we can speak to the longevity of the products. We know our manufacturer and can speak to its quality and service.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Efoils run on a lithium battery that can last over 2 hours. They are easy to transport. I put mine in my car and take it on road trips.
Pricing:
- $9999
Contact Info:
- Website: https://efoilovererie.com
- Instagram: efoilovererie
- Facebook: Efoil Over Erie
