I take it the author hasn't heard of E-Foils or jetfoils? Maybe not a family transport option, but we're talking a surfboard filled with 18650 cells (or simila

I take it the author hasn't heard of E-Foils or jetfoils? Maybe not a family transport option, but we're talking a surfboard filled with 18650 cells (or similar) riding on a underwater wing driven by a jet or small propeller. They are relatively old with companies building competition models at least five years ago. The technology at heart is an outgrowth of the portable electric vehicle industry and hydrofoil development in the windsurfing commnity. If you think this article is neat, I would check out the technology. You can build a performance board yourself for sub 3 grand US (possibly less if you are willing to vacuum mold the board yourself). Good resources are available from the portable electric vehicle or electric skateboard communities. Board building has been covered in depth by generations of surfers.