Essential safety information for Waydoo eFoils and underwater scooters: lithium battery handling, pre-session checks, what warning messages mean, operating and rider weight limits, air travel rules and disclaimers.
This page is a summary and does not replace your product manual. Always read the manual for your specific model before first use — all manuals are on our Downloads page.
What should I check before every session?
- Is it charged, with the correct charger and the cable fully seated?
- Does it power on normally?
- Is the remote or app connected and paired?
- Is there any physical damage, water ingress or battery damage? If yes, stop — see the battery section below.
- Subnado owners: complete the grease and installation check before use and before charging. Watch the check here.
- Flyer EVO owners: inspect the connection between the mast and the propulsion unit for water ingress or corrosion.
Lithium battery safety: when to stop immediately
Every Waydoo product contains a lithium battery. Stop using the battery and stop charging it immediately if it is:
- swollen or deformed
- hot, smoking, or emitting any smell
- leaking
- wet, or has been submerged in a way it was not designed for
- dropped or physically damaged in any way
If any of the above applies:
- Do not charge it. Do not use it. Do not attempt any test on it.
- Move it away from flammable materials and leave it in a safe, ventilated place.
- Contact us immediately and file a claim at support.waydootech.com/Claim. We treat these as high priority.
Never open, disassemble or attempt to repair a battery. If a warning message indicates high battery temperature, stop using the product.
What Waydoo will never ask you to do
If any instruction you find online asks you to do one of these, it did not come from us:
- Open a battery, or carry out electrical work or soldering on any Waydoo product.
- Disassemble the product beyond what an official Waydoo video explicitly shows a customer doing.
- Bypass or disable a safety feature.
- Test battery airtightness or water ingress yourself. This is safety-critical — contact us instead.
Repairs beyond official guidance should go through a claim, so the work is done correctly and your coverage is protected. Buying outside official channels carries its own risks — see the real cost of a cheap eFoil: grey imports vs EU stock.
Which warning messages are normal, and which need attention?
Normal operating states
| Message | What it means |
|---|---|
| Low battery power | Stop and charge. |
| Extremely low battery (5% / 0%) | Return to shore and charge. |
| Battery fully charged / Charging complete | Stop charging and disconnect the charger. |
| Charging paused, waiting for cooling | Normal if you began charging straight after a ride. It resumes once cool. |
| ESC overheating | Normal after continuous running — thermal protection is working. Continue at a lower speed. Only a concern if it appears immediately at startup. |
| Low remote power | Charge the remote. |
| GPS No Data | Wait for the signal to be acquired. |
| "R" on the EVO remote | Reverse gear, not a fault. With the remote locked, hold Minus + Plus for 3 seconds to toggle. |
| Outside fly zones | You have left the designated riding area. Return to it. |
Anything else
Take a clear photograph of the exact error code or message and file a claim. This applies in particular to any battery malfunction, battery water-leaking warning, battery terminal over-temperature, or high battery temperature message — treat all of these as urgent and stop using the product.
What are the rider weight limits for the Flyer EVO?
- EVO Lite: up to 198 lbs (approximately 90 kg)
- EVO Max Plus: up to 286 lbs (approximately 130 kg)
- EVO Pro Plus: up to 286 lbs (approximately 130 kg)
- EVO Master: up to 220 lbs (approximately 100 kg)
More detail: eFoil weight limit: which eFoil for heavier riders
How deep can a Subnado go?
- Depth rating: both the Subnado Lite and Plus are rated IP68 to 60 m. Do not exceed it.
- Fit the finger safe guard. It is included with the Standard package and protects against contact with the propeller. There is an official installation video on our Downloads page.
- If the unit makes an unusual noise when you pull the trigger, stop and contact us with a video and a clear photo rather than continuing to run it.
How do I stop water getting into my Subnado?
Correct grease habits are the most effective protection against water ingress:
- Apply a small amount of grease to the green O-rings on the cable connector regularly — before each use is best.
- Do not over-apply. Too much grease prevents the cable seating properly, which defeats the seal.
- Do not disassemble it after every single use. Repeated disassembly wears the O-ring.
- If the controller feels loose, check the port and connector for excess grease, wipe it with a soft tissue and reseat it.
Where am I allowed to ride an eFoil?
Rules for electric hydrofoils and powered watercraft vary considerably between countries, regions and individual bodies of water, and they change. It is the rider's responsibility to confirm and comply with the rules that apply where they are riding. Our guide to eFoil laws in Europe and where you can ride is a starting point, not legal advice.
If your Flyer EVO displays "Outside fly zones", you have left the designated area — return to it.
Can I fly or ship with a Waydoo battery?
Airlines apply a 100 Wh threshold to lithium batteries in carry-on baggage, and batteries between 101 Wh and 160 Wh require airline approval.
- Subnado Lite — 98 Wh: below the threshold.
- Subnado Plus — 144 Wh: above it, and requires airline approval.
- Flyer EVO Powerflight batteries (1800 Wh / 2300 Wh): far above passenger carry-on thresholds. Contact us before planning air travel.
Always confirm with your airline before travelling. Approval is the carrier's decision, not ours, and policies differ between carriers.
UN38.3 test reports and MSDS documentation are available on our Downloads page if a carrier or customs authority requests them. Products containing batteries may be restricted in certain countries, and we may need to adjust or cancel a shipping method to remain compliant.
Important disclaimers
- Performance figures are measured under controlled test conditions and will vary in real use with rider weight, water and weather conditions, riding style and how much power you use. Where a product page states its own test conditions, those apply to that figure only. Treat all published performance figures as indicative rather than guaranteed.
- Delivery times are estimates, not guarantees. We are not responsible for delays caused by carriers, customs or weather.
- Airline battery approval is the airline's decision. We can supply compliance documentation, but we cannot guarantee that any carrier will accept a battery.
- Submitting a warranty claim is not an approval. Coverage is assessed by our team case by case. We encourage you to submit a claim even if you are unsure whether an issue is covered. See our Warranty Terms.
- Compliance with local law is the rider's responsibility. Nothing on this page is legal advice.
- Specifications, pricing and product availability may change. If a figure here conflicts with your product manual or a product page, contact us and we will confirm which is current rather than leaving you to guess.
- This page does not replace your product manual or the safety instructions supplied with your product.
Contact us
- Warranty, faults and repairs: support.waydootech.com/Claim — please check your spam folder for our reply.
- Returns: return@waydoo.tech
- General help: Help Center · Troubleshooting Guide
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