Demonstration of Hi-Foil boat, River Thames, London

Dec. 12, 1968 - Britain Launches The Hi-Foil. World First In Water Sport. Britain was introduced to a new water sport in the heart of London, when a zippy two-seater hydrofoil made its world debut on the River Thames. The new craft, called the Hi-Foil, is an entirely British invention, which has broken through the barriers of marine engineering to provide the smallest and cheapest foil riding craft in the world. Hi-Foiling is a completely new experience in aquatic sport. The craft is less than nine feet long, is powered by an outboard engine and has handle bar steering. It operates like any other power craft up to ten to fifteen miles an hour. At this speed, it rises clear of the water, balanced on two foils - fore and aft, positioned like the wheels of a motor cycle - and is balanced by the rider as a motor cycle is balanced, attaining speeds of 30 miles an hour or more. The Hi-Foil is constructed of glass fibre, weighing about 200 lbs, is less than nine feet long and is easily transportable. It has been perfected by Anglian Development Limited, of Leigh-on-Sea. Photo Shows: The Hi-Foil driven at speed by Peter Nott, 35-year-old engineer and inventor, now Chief Engineer of Anglian Development Ltd, of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, during the demonstrations on the Thames

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35-year-old Anglian Attaining Balanced Barriers Cheapest Clear Completely Constructed Debut Driven Entirely Experience Fibre Fifteen Foil Foils Fore Hydrofoil Introduced Launches Leigh-on-sea Less Nott Operates Outboard Perfected Positioned Provide Rises Smallest Speeds Steering Two-seater Weighing

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