You may remember Cyrusher from several electric bike reviews we’ve performed over the years. As it turns out, e-bikes aren’t the only fast EVs that the company has been working with. Feast your eyes on the new Cyrusher Thunder electric surfboard.
For now we’ll look past the troublesome name (normally thunder is a precursor to leaving the water) and instead focus on the board itself. And that board definitely deserves a second look because it appears to be quite an impressive first attempt at an electric surfboard.
In fact, with a stated top speed of 70 km/h (44 mph), somehow Cyrusher claims to have produced an even higher performance board than the current industry leaders.
The 66-inch (1.68 meter) board uses a jet pump with a 5 kW continuous-rated and 10 kW peak-rated electric motor.
A waterproof 72V and 50Ah battery offers 3.6 kWh of capacity, or what Cyrusher claims is enough for up to 60 minutes of riding time before requiring a two- to three-hour recharge.
Unlike many electric surfboards that have a wireless transmitter for the remote, the Cyrusher Thunder uses a wired remote that doubles as a hand tether to hang on for dear life.
Adjustable foot bindings are included for riders wanting to get more aggressive with their turns and tricks, though casual riders may find it easier to start without them.
The board weighs 18 kg (40 lb.) dry, making it easy to lug from a car down to the water’s edge. Forget the jet-ski trailer; electric surfboards are perhaps the most convenient powered watersports option around.
The battery does add another 22 kg (48.5 lb.) though, meaning the ready-to-go board may be a bit heavy for that last few meters down to the bank.
There’s a handy little stand offered on Cyrusher’s site, though it looks more like a camping stool to me.
Cyrusher has the Thunder listed at US $9,999, marked down from an MSRP of US $11,999.
Compared to many premium electric surfboards, that’s actually a bit of a deal – especially for a board this fast and powerful.
But then again, it begs the question of how an electric bicycle company could produce such a high-performance board like this, and whether or not it will actually live up to its published specs.
I’m willing to put my body on the line though to find out. Cyrusher execs: If you’re reading this, give me an hour or two on the board and let’s see how it rides!
If I can get some splash time on the board, I’ll be sure to come back and let you all know how it went.
In the meantime, enjoy the video below of the last time I found myself on a high-performance electric surfboard in Sweden.
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On today’s episode of Quick Charge, President Trump has a wild first day in office, but it’s not ALL bad, either. Plus: Tesla gets diner integration, Hyundai keeps the deal train rolling, and it’s dad’s 80th birthday.
We also look ahead to some possible discounts for Tesla insurance customers, some news on the upcoming “cheap” Cybertruck, and wonder out loud if Puerto Rico’s billion dollar solar project is going to see the light of day. All this and more – enjoy!
New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.
Got news? Let us know! Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.
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The Stripe logo on a smartphone with U.S. dollar banknotes in the background.
Budrul Chukrut | SOPA Images | LightRocket via Getty Images
Stripe cut 300 jobs, representing about 3.5% of its workforce, mostly in product, engineering and operations, CNBC has confirmed.
The payments company, valued at about $70 billion in the private markets, still expects to increase headcount by 10,000 by the end of the year, which would be a 17% increase, and is “not slowing down hiring,” according to a memo to staff from Chief People Office Rob McIntosh. Business Insider reported earlier on the cuts and the memo.
A Stripe spokesperson also confirmed to CNBC that a cartoon image of a duck with text that read, “US-Non-California Duck,” was accidentally attached as a PDF to emails sent to some of the employees who were laid off. Some of the emails mistakenly provided affected employees with an incorrect termination date, the spokesperson said.
McIntosh sent a follow-up email to staffers apologizing for the “notification error” and “any confusion it caused.”
“Corrected and full notifications have since been sent to all impacted Stripes,” he wrote.
In 2022, Stripe cut roughly 1,100 jobs, or 14% of its workers, downsizing alongside most of the tech industry, as soaring inflation and rising interest rates forced companies to focus on profits over growth. The Information reported that Stripe had a few dozen layoffs in its recruiting department in 2023.
Stripe’s valuation sank from a peak of $95 billion in 2021 to $50 billion in 2023, before reportedly rebounding to $70 billion last year as part of a secondary share sale. The company ranked third on last year’s CNBC Disruptor 50 list.
In October, Stripe agreed to pay $1.1 billion for crypto startup Bridge Network, whose technology is focused on making it easy for businesses to transact using digital currencies.
Brothers Patrick and John Collison, who founded Stripe in 2010, have intentionally steered clear of the public markets and have given no indication that an offering is on the near-term horizon. Total payment volume at the company surpassed $1 trillion in 2023.
Thinking about upgrading your EV? Rivian (RIVN) launched a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1S or R1T. Here’s how you can snag some savings.
Rivian R1S and R1T upgrade deal offers up to $6,000
Rivian delivered over 51,500 vehicles last year as the EV maker gains momentum. Although it was only slightly higher than the ~50,100 delivered in 2023, Rivian is expected to see even more growth this year.
After shutting down its Normal, IL manufacturing plant last April and renegotiating supplier contracts, Rivian has seen “significant cost improvements,” according to CEO RJ Scaringe.
Rivian also began delivering its next-gen R1S and R1T models last year. The new Large and Max battery packs have redesigned modules and more efficient packaging, “making them easier to manufacture and service.” For example, Rivian’s new EVs use seven ECUs, down from 17 in the first-generation R1T and R1S.
With new plant upgrades, reworked supplier contracts, and more efficient vehicles, Rivian is now passing the savings on to customers.
Rivian R1T (left) and R1S (right) electric vehicles (Source: Rivian)
Rivian introduced a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1T or R1S. The bonus amount varies by trim:
Tri with Max battery: $6,000 USD / CAD 8,600
Dual with Max battery and Performance upgrade: $4,500 USD / CAD 6,500
Dual with Max battery: $3,000 USD / CAD 4,300
The offer is for current R1T or R1S owners or lessees in the US and Canada. Rivian launched the new promo on January 21, and it runs through March 31, 2025.
After you purchase or lease a qualifying vehicle, Rivian will apply a discount toward the MSRP. You must take delivery by March 31, 2025. In the fine print, Rivian stated, “You must request a trade-in estimate to qualify for this offer, but trade-in of a vehicle is not required.”
Rivian R1S (Source: Rivian)
Any other models are excluded from the offer. These include Dual Standard configurations, Dual with Large battery configurations, custom builds, demo vehicles, and pre-owned vehicles.
The new offer follows Rivian’s previous upgrade promo introduced last October, giving qualifying gas-powered vehicle owners or lessees up to $3,000.
Rivian’s R1S was already the tenth best-selling electric vehicle in the US last year, with nearly 27,000 models sold. With more driving range and power at a lower cost, the electric SUV could see even more demand in 2025.
Then again, with the arrival of new luxury electric SUVs, like the Jeep Wagoneer S and Volvo EX90, Rivian will face more competition in the US.
Rivian’s latest promo comes as the Company looks to carry the momentum from the end of 2024 into the new year. The EV maker is offering other deals, including 1.99% APR for 60 months on the R1 Dual with a Max Battery and Performance upgrade.
Even if you are not eligible for the promo, we can still help you find deals on Rivian’s electric SUV in your area. You can use our links below to view offers on the Rivian R1S and R1T near you today.
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