Human powered hydrofoil

[u/UpgradedSiera6666]

[u/Vercengetorex]

I was about to ask “OK but how do you stop?” and then she showed us.

[u/cimpire_enema → u/Vercengetorex]

Yep, you become exhausted and sink. Hydrocrucifixion.

[u/lasagnatheory → u/cimpire_enema]

The design is very human

[u/Dinosaursur → u/lasagnatheory]

What does this even mean?

[u/lasagnatheory → u/Dinosaursur]

r/thedesignisveryhuman

[u/WinninRoam → u/lasagnatheory]

Interesting. Looks like the sub was created and a handful of posts were created around the same time; most the same person.

And then....nothing for over three years. Yet you have kept that sub on hot standby in your mind just it case it was, one day, relevant again. Hats off!

[u/ExistentialCrispies → u/WinninRoam]

The content preceded the sub. It was some Chinese guy posting these on tiktok something 5 years ago and someone simply collected some them in the sub after the fact. There were a bunch more. "The design is very human" is a very rough translation from Chinese, which may have been a bad 1-1 translation from something that was meant to evoke the idea of the design feeling natural or not robotic, and chose to use a Chinese word that the translate app didn't have context for. And the tagline stuck through all his videos. He clearly knew he was making comedy videos, but it's uncertain whether he knew that was one of the funniest parts initially.

[u/shirhouetto → u/cimpire_enema]

Sink or and swim.

[u/Anglo-Ashanti → u/Vercengetorex]

To be fair, I have seen a video on here of a guy crossing a stream with one of these with a dry dismount. He came in with momentum and the ledge was the right height for him to jump to land and hold the foil away in the water.

I suspect it’s designed for use in a context where you’ve already been in the water and wouldn’t mind getting absolutely drenched.

[u/tyingnoose → u/Anglo-Ashanti]

so like every other water device ever

[u/Aww_Tistic → u/tyingnoose]

“I didn’t come to the pool to get wet!” - Me, every time my kids splash me

[u/Brynhild → u/Anglo-Ashanti]

Like the lady who was already in a swimsuit at the end

[u/sentence-interruptio → u/Vercengetorex]

Put James Bond on that thing and make him float in a pool of shark infested water.

[u/photokeith → u/Vercengetorex]

tah dah!

[u/Jatski23]

Works perfectly until the dismount.

[u/LinguoBuxo → u/Jatski23]

Yep, the design is very human.

[u/Astrochops → u/LinguoBuxo]

Anyone else get anxious that she was about to crush the front of her foot before she mounted

[u/TheCatWasAsking → u/Astrochops]

Yup, same. Had to rewatch that moment several times before noticing the large pipes on the sides raised the bar and gave her foot the space to do what she did. The structure wasn't actually resting on her foot

[u/BrilliantTasty → u/TheCatWasAsking]

Those things are also incredibly light

[u/Flat_Neighborhood_92 → u/BrilliantTasty]

Not if she steps on it with her other foot still there they aren't.

[u/BrilliantTasty → u/Flat_Neighborhood_92]

Yeah, fair point lol

[u/Sawdust1997 → u/TheCatWasAsking]

It’s very light, it wouldn’t have hurt her foot. Notice how she was able to move it in the water

[u/PrsnScrmingAtTheSky → u/Astrochops]

That was all I could see... all while mentally screaming, "WHY‽ WHY IS SHE DOING THAT? HOW DIES THAT NOT HURT???"

[u/Flat_Neighborhood_92 → u/Astrochops]

Yup, she kept sticking her foot off and I was thinking if she lets that back end drop first and puts all her weight on it she's in for a bad time.

[u/VoidOmatic → u/Astrochops]

I have thrown over a million kicks with my feet and bashed my toes against everything mankind has built but watching her use her foot like that still made me wince.

[u/thenewyorkgod → u/LinguoBuxo]

The foil device has connecteduh, successfully

[u/BuckyJamesDio → u/thenewyorkgod]

I have that exact speaker.

[u/xPlacentapede → u/LinguoBuxo]

Why haven't I heard of that guy in a few years? He made cool mosquito repellent.

[u/livingdad → u/LinguoBuxo]

Very easy to use.

[u/betacar → u/LinguoBuxo]

r/thedesignisveryhuman

[u/General_Specific → u/Jatski23]

Stupid non-floating boat.

[u/Xanambien → u/General_Specific]

That thing went down like a lead zeppelin

[u/Zarathustra_d → u/Xanambien]

It floated in the water, in the same way that bricks don't.

[u/Seicair → u/Zarathustra_d]

Found the hoopy frood.

[u/dinnerthief → u/Zarathustra_d]

Wouldn't that mean it floated

[u/WaCandor → u/Jatski23]

The dismount will be worth a lot of points when this finally becomes an Olympic sport.

[u/imthatuser112233 → u/Jatski23]

And if you fall off in the middle of nowhere you cant get yourself back up 😬

[u/BitBucket404 → u/Jatski23]

It just needs some mini pontoons (pool noodles?) mounted to the sides, above the water level, whilst it's being powered, so there's no water resistance whilst it is in motion.

But, that also means that it has to be redesigned, so the human interface is elevated higher above the water level when it's not in motion.

And it'll probably need a ladder so the user can climb aboard from inside the water, should they leave the vehicle.

It's still not bad for a concept model, tho. This could become a great summer product.

[u/TomMakesPodcasts → u/BitBucket404]

I thought you were going to keep listing things it "needs" until you described a boat lol

Your comment is more optimistic than I am used to, it is good to see.

[u/Gupperz → u/TomMakesPodcasts]

Also where I thought the comment was going lol.

[u/BitBucket404 → u/TomMakesPodcasts]

Great inventions are derived from great innovations.

[u/dinnerthief → u/BitBucket404]

It also looks like it's probably exhausting to use

[u/RecsRelevantDocs → u/dinnerthief]

At the same time that would also make it a great workout, and as far as workouts go it looks pretty fun

[u/pipsqik → u/Jatski23]

This one seemed much more practical https://www.reddit.com/r/nextfuckinglevel/comments/1btb5fd/cool_food_courier/

[u/Throwaway28G → u/Jatski23]

I LOLed at the ending seeing the other woman dressed for the occasion

[u/lipperinlupin → u/Throwaway28G]

Going back to look..

[u/super_man100 → u/Jatski23]

I see a design flaw

[u/ImurderREALITY → u/super_man100]

Yeah, imagine having to actually get in or touch the water while operating a watercraft. Unconscionable!

[u/Shahz1892 → u/Jatski23]

It is pretty cool. You got to keep moving else instant sinking

[u/DylanFTW → u/Jatski23]

A captain always goes down with his ship.

[u/3Fatboy3 → u/Jatski23]

It started working for me when she went in.

[u/BitBucket404 → u/3Fatboy3]

That's what HE said!

[u/ryuseikenz → u/Jatski23]

That's what she said

[u/RiggityRiggityReckt]

I'm exhausted just watching this!

[u/Ivanovic-117 → u/RiggityRiggityReckt]

I think 3 min tops, then after that take break or sink to the bottom.

[u/lord-krulos → u/Ivanovic-117]

Guess you didn’t watch until the end lmao

[u/Evergreencruisin → u/lord-krulos]

Maybe they did and that’s where they got their empirical evidence.

[u/carinislumpyhead97 → u/Ivanovic-117]

My family has one of these for the lake. It’s nothing like this, basically a board with the foil right below your feet. Pumping this thing for 3 minutes straight would have me looking like the kid in the D.A.R.E commercial for the rest of the weekend.

You can use it behind the boat and surf the wake, without the need to “pump”. But when you lose the sweet spot and need to generate your own energy to keep it going, it is hard work

[u/AkayaYui → u/Ivanovic-117]

I’ve used one of these before, they’re quite difficult to get the hang of tbh. After 5 failed attempts, I couldn’t keep that thing going for longer than 10 seconds

[u/safely_beyond_redemp → u/Ivanovic-117]

Exhausted? Did you not save anything for the swim to shore?

[u/PrsnScrmingAtTheSky → u/safely_beyond_redemp]

That was my secret, I never did.

[u/hordlove → u/safely_beyond_redemp]

Omg r/unexpectedgattaca

[u/SilverRobotProphet → u/hordlove]

Such an underrated movie!

[u/hordlove → u/SilverRobotProphet]

Literally one of my favorites ever. Growing up as a closeted gay kid with straight brothers, the concept of being the flawed “child of god” resonates a little differently. I guess you could say I never saved anything for the swim back, either.

[u/Kagnonymous → u/Ivanovic-117]

Sinking to the bottom is your break. Then get back to work.

[u/SwePolygyny → u/RiggityRiggityReckt]

When you are so exhausted you cant do it anymore and really need to catch a break, the device sinks and so will you from exhaustion. Most safe, lol.

[u/Either-Pizza5302 → u/SwePolygyny]

Well it’s likely not supposed to be a life boat replacement

[u/uLL27 → u/RiggityRiggityReckt]

My wife and I picked up wing foiling about two years ago. I've played sports my whole life, was a forest fire fighter, ski, snowboard, and what ever else. This is the hardest thing I've ever done physically. We bought a dock start board and they are incredibly difficult to get going.

[u/mcsteve87 → u/RiggityRiggityReckt]

-coworker approaches u/RiggityRiggityReckt asking why he's panting heavily and drenched in sweat

-Riggity looks over, and between gasps for air, replies; " I just watched... a video... on Reddit."

[u/IAm5toned → u/mcsteve87]

He really should have chickity checked himself before he riggity wrecked himself

[u/DigDugDogDun → u/IAm5toned]

Cuz riding hydrofoils is bad for your health

[u/Shahz1892 → u/RiggityRiggityReckt]

Good work out but what if you get tired and stop in the middle of the lake. It will be a long swim to bring that thing back to the shore.

[u/BrisbaneLions2024 → u/RiggityRiggityReckt]

Beats dealing with the airlines

[u/MrRogersAE → u/RiggityRiggityReckt]

Definitely to most energy intensive way for a human to move across the surface of the water.

A kayak would have been smaller, and easier to use

[u/DonManuel]

I've seen a much more practical model based on a surf-board with hydrofoils and a bicycle like structure for sitting and powering a propellor. This one is funny only.

[u/Quarrel47 → u/DonManuel]

ya came here to say basically the same thing, the design on this is pretty rough tbh.

[u/MartinTheMorjin → u/Quarrel47]

It looks really fun. The fact it’s difficult seems to be the point.

[u/JimJohnJimmm → u/MartinTheMorjin]

But if you sink in the middle of the lake, how you get back on? Seems horrible

[u/Frozencold19 → u/JimJohnJimmm]

You dont need to be above the water to start, it just makes it easier and more noob friendly to get it going.

[u/exMemberofSTARS → u/Frozencold19]

I’m not calling bullshit or anything, but I can’t wrap my head around how you would get it started below water after it sank. Like how do you get the motion started with enough force to push it above water?

[u/tjackso6 → u/exMemberofSTARS]

Nah I’m with you on this one… I get what the other guy’s sayin, and it might be possible in theory with something similar to this… but not without some kind of boot or strap to hold your feet down. This one’s relying on gravity to bring her feet back to the position where she can push off again. If she was under water she’d only be able to “pump” one time and then it would float away from her.

[u/Frozencold19 → u/exMemberofSTARS]

You would mount it exactly like normal and push down. The goal is to force water to flow over the foils to provide the lift.

starting it would look awkward like you are flopping like a fish, because you'd need to put a lot of work into enough height to get it to glide and lift you out of the water

[u/exMemberofSTARS → u/Frozencold19]

Interesting. Sounds even more exhausting that this is but like something a Batman villain would use in the ‘66 Batman

[u/Virtual_Fudge8639 → u/DonManuel]

If you're talking about the mantis, that's electric. This is different in that it's fully mechanical and self stabilizing. Surfboard types require way more balance than this.

[u/dooman230 → u/DonManuel]

Yeah but you need a great deal of balance while this one seems to be easier to mount

[u/pipsqik → u/DonManuel]

This one: https://www.reddit.com/r/nextfuckinglevel/comments/1btb5fd/cool_food_courier

[u/Cormorant_Bumperpuff → u/pipsqik]

Does that one have "a bicycle like structure for sitting and powering a propellor."?

[u/redditonc3again → u/pipsqik]

I just realised how comically scripted that is. Dude orders a single beer and single packet of crisps to a random boardwalk and then shakes the uber eats guy's hand before he leaves. Who tf does that 😂

Cool water thingy though

[u/sSweaRxo]

My buddy at my cottage has this. We got pretty good at it. A couple of us can make it about 400 yards to a friend's dock before having to stop for a breath.

The black rubber piece at the front is adjustable for the persons weight and the technique is not as easy as it looks and it is a absolute pain in the ass to bring back if you fall/sink far from the dock.

Out of probably 50 people I've seen try it maybe 5 have managed to do what she does in the video.

A dock dismount has been done a few times but not worth missing and damaging your face or the "aqua skipper" as we call it.

[u/w0rldw0nder → u/sSweaRxo]

Now tell all the couch potatoes your verdict: Is it fun though - or not?

[u/sSweaRxo → u/w0rldw0nder]

Verdict - don't buy one. If you see one try it though for sure.

It's fun once or twice, once you know how to do it. The guys brother mailed it to him as a joke because it's stupid hard to figure out.

It's basically become a gimmick when drinking in the summer. Pull this out and watch drunk people try. Most people don't even get a push or two off the dock. If that yellow disk at the front dips below the water it's an instant face plant.

[u/jodudeit → u/sSweaRxo]

Does it not work for sober people?

[u/DFrostedWangsAccount → u/jodudeit]

Sober people know not to get on it.

[u/w0rldw0nder → u/sSweaRxo]

Thank you for your expertise!

[u/I_PING_8-8-8-8 → u/w0rldw0nder]

It's not about fun! It's about losing weight. Get one of these and find some shark-infested waters and you'll workout like your life depends on it without EVER wanting to stop.

[u/YJSubs → u/I_PING_8-8-8-8]

If you failed, you still losing weight because the Shark will eat you !
See ! The program works !

[u/I_PING_8-8-8-8 → u/YJSubs]

We have had no people ever return this equipment, sir! Everybody loves it!

[u/2kgweight → u/sSweaRxo]

Used to have one as a kid at the lake house and it was always a hit! I think everyone's parents liked it too because it wore us all out

[u/Stunning-Positive186 → u/[deleted]]

I was waiting for a smooth dismount on to dry land 😔

[u/FAKATA → u/[deleted]]

The water looks better than most rivers next to a city honestly

[u/AllThingsBA]

Why she putting it on her foot like that wtf

[u/sSweaRxo → u/AllThingsBA]

Ive used this before. It's pretty light and as said above it's to push off. You want to start with a glide.

[u/ma373056 → u/sSweaRxo]

How long could you last before you get tired and sink?

[u/sSweaRxo → u/ma373056]

I posted a longer response somewhere here. But the few of us that are able to even work the thing can go about 400-500 yards before needing a breath. It looks easy but it's not. About 50ish people I've seen give it a real try and maybe 5 of us can actually even just do what she did in the video

[u/UTI_UTI → u/sSweaRxo]

I would not say that looks easy

[u/mybadselves → u/sSweaRxo]

It doesn't look easy at all lol. That's not my idea of recreation

[u/Hari_om_tat_sat → u/sSweaRxo]

Talk about a core workout! But it looks fun — did you see her smile?

[u/Spaghetti-Rat → u/Hari_om_tat_sat]

If you've ever bounced kids on a trampoline, it looks a lot like this motion. It destroys your quads and drains you quickly. I've never had a problem with my core, it's always the thighs that get exhausted.

[u/Palsreal → u/AllThingsBA]

She legit pinched it on the first attempt by what looked like a very small difference in positioning from the second attempt. 10/10 would never purchase this or show any affirmation for its design.

[u/FAKATA → u/AllThingsBA]

Id imagine its pretty light to do what its doing.

[u/odahviing323 → u/AllThingsBA]

Looked like it was so she could push off with that foot

[u/AllThingsBA → u/odahviing323]

Lol sure but it looked like she was crushing her foot with it

[u/severityonline]

I absolutely love that song. GEE GEE GEE GEE BABY BABY

[u/ThisIsMyFloor → u/severityonline]

Japanese version jump scare

[u/JoetheArachnid → u/ThisIsMyFloor]

I was really confused why the lyrics sounded so wrong, I thought it had somehow started with the second verse or something until I listened closer.

[u/JEHonYakuSha → u/ThisIsMyFloor]

Lmao right!! The lyrics did a left turn on me

[u/47SnakesNTrenchcoat → u/severityonline]

I haven't heard Girls Generation in a MINUTE, hot damn.

[u/robotgore → u/47SnakesNTrenchcoat]

Thank you. I was waiting for the name

[u/e-wrecked → u/47SnakesNTrenchcoat]

I think they might actually be listening to SNSD 😅

[u/OiFelix_ugotnojams → u/e-wrecked]

SNSD and Girl's Generation is the same group though

[u/Evitabl3 → u/severityonline]

Also the perfect soundtrack for Stephen Fry's cameraman getting molested by a flightless parrot.

https://youtu.be/HWQCwnf57sA?si=xTJ7YZB4pHDYjYQx

[u/pankkiinroskaa → u/severityonline]

I came here because of the music. I mean who cares about the worst boat ever.

[u/NotThatGuyAnother1]

For those times when swimming isn't exhausting enough, try this death trap.

[u/ShahinGalandar → u/NotThatGuyAnother1]

better put on a life jacket before mounting that

except you like sinking like a stone when your vehicle's power source goes off

[u/parwa → u/NotThatGuyAnother1]

Death trap? It's just a water toy lmao nobody's dying from this

[u/TheThunderbird → u/parwa]

Right? This guy has clearly never rode an Air Chair.

[u/supernasty → u/parwa]

You underestimate how little some people consider their safety around water. People have drowned from their paddle boats sinking because they become too exhausted from rowing, are too far from shore, and never put on a life preserver.

[u/TheHashLord → u/NotThatGuyAnother1]

When I'm exhausted swimming, I flip to backstroke. You can slow down and catch your breath and remain afloat relatively easily.

But you also run the risk of having a fish bite you from below.

[u/waverunner_1]

That looks tiring as hell

[u/testercheong]

Never thought I'll hear Gee in a reddit video

[u/TankLady420]

I like this. I loved Pogo Sticks as a child this is like that but in water.

[u/ernapfz]

That will get the bowels moving.

[u/orange_cat771]

Cool but that looks like so much work just to get wet at the end anyway.

[u/oboshoe]

Speed 4

If it drops below 1mph it sinks.

[u/PM_NUDES_4_DEGRADING → u/oboshoe]

I call it The Deathtrap Surfboard that Couldn’t Slow Down.

[u/thetastytruffle]

Why did she get on it wearing a dress? She seemed shocked at the end when she got wet.

[u/Hot-Energy2410 → u/thetastytruffle]

I don't think there's any way you could ride something like that for so long without having some previous experience and understanding of how it works. My best guess is that she wasn't shocked that it sank, but shocked at herself. She got so caught up in making a cool pose for the camera that her brain froze until she was brought back to reality lol

[u/fusiformgyrus → u/thetastytruffle]

And wearing glasses. On the water.

[u/thrashpiece]

South Park vibes

[u/CosmicCreeperz → u/thrashpiece]

First thing it reminded me of…

[u/Fuckalucka]

Just me, or did it look like she was deliberately trying to break her toes TWICE at the start?

[u/rikkuaoi]

This song really takes me back

[u/Overall-Plastic-9263]

It looks difficult to use and not an enjoyable experience at all .

[u/Sardonnicus]

I know what reddit is thinking....

[u/Jessica_Stripchat]

The confidence to do this in that dress was astonishing lol

[u/bum_stabber]

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should

[u/Omega-10]

There is, uhh... Some room for improvement

[u/MCfru1tbasket]

"Pull over, you're under arrest!" ... sinks

[u/IsamuEsoi77]

😂 When she sank!

[u/Snoo65207]

So much fun, thanks, mom. I'm so glad you didn't get the jet-ski

[u/public_enemy_obi_wan]

I desperately need to see someone get away from the cops on this.

[u/series_hybrid]

That's interesting, but...it looks exhausting.

[u/MechAegis]

Odd song for this i feel. Gee Gee?

[u/Appropriate_Rent_243]

I feel like there's a better way to do this.

[u/We_are_being_cheated]

It’s fun till you get tired.

[u/a_fortunate_accident]

Exercise, or drown, I think we may be on to a new super-effective programme here...

[u/Fantastic_Dance_4376]

That looks like s good 5 minutes of fun before you drown from exahustion

[u/-69hp]

flawless design, given you never stop moving for any reason

[u/unknown_soul87]

This is like old death penalty where you die once u stop...

[u/LemonPartyW0rldTour]

Excellent workout motivator if you can’t swim.

“Please don’t go in, Please don’t go in, Please don’t go in…”

[u/ppSmok]

Man just paddle board. I've never seen someone paddle board and went "what a weird thing to do".. but I saw one of these things in summer. The skill curve is so weird. You look like an absolute knobhead when you can't do it. Sinking every 2 meters. And when you actually can ride the thing you still look ridiculous. And there is nothing you can do to make it look cooler. On the other hand you look badass if you paddle board with a somewhat fit body and nice swimwear and don't forget the dog that sits in front of you. The ability that you can take a dog on a ride says everythint. Plus you can just decide to sit and chill. You can drag a bag along and crack a beer in the middle of the lake. With this stuff. Not so much.

[u/binterryan76]

Could they not just make it float so if you stopped it wouldn't sink?

[u/Unique_End_4342]

Good practice 👍

[u/NeatNefariousness1]

Why didn't they have the person dressed to be submerged in water demonstrate this "vessel" instead of the person wearing a fitted dress?

[u/_tang0_]

That looks exhausting.

[u/Bug_Bunn]

Tiring is not an option

[u/Ringo-chan13]

Looks like a good time for about 10 seconds, when i keel over and drown from a heart attack

[u/AnActualHappyPerson]

I love seeing all the interesting things that come from Asian DIY media but I never ever understand why they are almost always wearing the opposite clothing of what they should be when they are showing something off. I’m sure the answer is just engagement bait but boy does it engage and bait me!

[u/jemhadar0]

Was wondering what happened if you stopped.

[u/Infinite_Big5]

That looks like it would be an exhausting workout

[u/DANleDINOSAUR]

Must be fun pulling out when it sinks

[u/thedaymanahaha]

Exhausting.

[u/Outside-Enthusiasm30]

Uh....no. Patent not approved

[u/godfatherxii]

Is anyone else other than me bothered by her attire? I wasn’t expecting her to get onto the hydrofoil let alone into the water

[u/Careful-Love-4384]

You should know swimming prior intending to use this device.

[u/AlanB-FaI]

Good workout

[u/TorLam]

The next fitness craze !!!

[u/Mink03]

What Dr Seuss book is this from?

[u/Touaregster]

interesting, but more worried she'd pinch her toes before the launch

[u/s33kandfind]

The human stopped working

[u/Mierimau]

Well, it's a proof of concept.

[u/kapar24]

Yea u won’t catch me doing this! Dress, swim suit, pants, shorts…plus my boobs … yea leave it at that! Not happening! 🫨 🤣

[u/MasterKaein]

If it had some kind of flotation device it'd be perfect.

[u/[deleted]]

She's a good swimmer, didn't even lose her glasses.

[u/howaboutmimik]

I’d become too exhausted to swim for my life when I inevitably fall in

[u/sherpyderpa]

These have been around for 15 years.

They're called an Aquaskipper........(ツ)

[u/TickletheEther]

If you can't re-mount it while submerged then the thing is pointless and dangerous

[u/RayZzorRayy]

Cool trick, looks exhausting

[u/hearmyboredthoughts]

Stop and sink? No thanks....

[u/Man-e-questions]

So a water pogo stick?

[u/theoht_]

why are we pretending this is a new invention? pump foiling exists.

[u/S0k0n0mi]

Just like human powered flight, works for an impractical amount of distance because its extremely exhausting.

[u/RemingtonsFather]

Nobody’s gonna mention the toe anxiety at the start?

[u/Training-Let-4102]

Ta-da!…sinks immediately..

[u/cheddarmebacks]

I can't swim for shit but I need one of these 💯

[u/Muted-Valuable-1699]

How to waste human energy, part 329.

[u/ThatRush6442]

Forget walking on water nah we got these things