SafetyUpdated a year ago

The Boogie allows foilers to catch waves that are unsuitable for surfers, it is not designed or intended to be used in and around a traditional surfing line up.  By giving foilers more options for uncrowded waves, the Boogie will help increase the overall safety of surfers, foilers and other water users.

Safety Features of the Boogie

• The Boogie does not drive by itself. 
• The Boogie is not autonomous.   
• The throttle is always controlled by the user.  
• As soon as the user falls off, or releases the trigger, the Boogie will stop.
• The Boogie only has line of sight control, if you can't see the Boogie, you can not control it. 
• Maximum Speed of 35kph.
• Wireless range is line of sight, approximately 150m.
• Areas can be geofenced, similar to how aerial drones do not work in proximity to airports.   more details on our global Towsafe system can be found here.
• A public heat map where Boogies have been used.  This will help drive accountability of users. 

Regulations

The Boogie should be treated like an efoil, and existing legislation should cover the Boogies use and registration requirements. The observer rule for towing should not apply to the Boogie.  The intent of the observer rule is to notify the person in charge of the vessel in the event of a mishap. With the Boogie, the person being towed is also the person in control of the Boogie so this rule does not make sense.

Most of the reasons for having PWC exclusion zones do not apply to the Boogie.  The Boogie is silent, it produces no wake, it travels relatively slowly, and does not produce any fumes or smoke. 

• The Boogie should only be used away from other water users.  Most locations this legislation is 100-200m away.  The recommendation is 200m away. 
• If using the Boogie outside of a surf zone, for example a lake, a lifejacket should be worn. 
• If using the Boogie in the surfzone it is recommended that an impact vest is worn. 
• If the the Boogie is going to be used more than 400m offshore the following items should be carried inside the Boogie for emergency use.
  • Flippers
  • Means of communication, marine radio, satellite beacon, PLB, cell phone e.t.c.
  • Flare
  • First aid kit

Inappropriate Usage  

Inappropriate use of the Boogie is taken very seriously.  Verified complaints of inappropriate usage will result in the following actions be taken by zerotow.

• The beach that any confirmed incident takes placed at will be geofenced Red.  No Boogies will be able to operate in that location. 
• The Individuals Boogie will be blacklisted -  
  • Operational range will be decreased to 50m, the Boogie it will only work for towing. 
  • Spare parts and warranty support will be restricted to the maximum amount allowed by law. 
  • Future purchases will be declined. 

To submit a complaint or inappropriate usage, please send to [email protected]. Please include as much detail of the incident as possible.