Photo: Spencer Higgins

Motors may not have much to do with traditional surfing, but then neither does the arm-flailing that beginners do right before they miss another set. WaveJet boards have a pair of battery-powered water jets that can propel surfers at up to 12 mph in the fastest configuration. Paddling out, catching waves, even maneuvering once you’re up just got a whole lot easier. We tested a 9-foot carbon-fiber model over two weeks at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, in waves ranging from shoulder-high junk to thigh-high peelers. The jets, controlled by a wrist-strap remote, are barely audible over the noise of the ocean, yet they’re powerful enough that we were paddling out at twice the speed of our fellow surfers. And probably having more fun.

WIRED Catch more waves. Jets cut off after wipeouts.

TIRED Bulky controller feels like a house-arrest bracelet. No throttle; just on or off. Jet unit adds 16 pounds.