The history of hopping-motion hydrofoils is sketchy as many hobbyists endeavored to perfect a unique water toy but did not document their efforts or promote themselves. It is not until recently that the history is much more detailed as commercial ventures have documented their efforts when they sought patents and trademarks.

1989 POGOFOIL

The Pogofoil was Parker McCready`s second attempt to power a hydrofoil via flapping wing propulsion. As seen above, it was being tested on Seattle’s Green Lake in
1990. It weighed about 50 lbs, with a speed of 11 mph, but was only good for a few hundred meters before the rider would tire.

The Pogofoil was the culmination of several years of experimental boat building, which included his first hydrofoil, the "Mutiny on the Boundary Layer." As McCready
states it was, “The overweight, over-mechanical, but working, predecessor to the sleeker Pogofoil.”

1998 TRAMPOFOIL

Alexander Sahlin, a Swedish engineer, invented the Trampofoil. It weighs 12 kgs. and used the flapping wing concept for propulsion.

2003-2004 INVENTIST AQUASKIPPER (TM)

The hopping-motion hydrofoil was improved and patented as the AquaSkipper by Shane Chen, CEO of Inventist, and a part of CID, Inc.
The patented spring mechanism and the unique aircraft aluminum structure are the secret to the success of the AquaSkipper. These improvements make the AquaSkipper
very maneuverable, easier to ride and to recover from a stall. The AquaSkipper can travel up to 17 miles per hour and it weighs less than 25 lbs.