Your First Big Orange Adventure
Everything You Need to Know Before You Arrive
Your first adventure with Big Orange should be exciting, relaxing, and memorable.
Whether you're joining us for a peaceful Sunset Explorer, your first Electric Propulsion Discovery, or beginning your FlowSync™ learning journey, we want you to arrive feeling confident and well prepared.
This guide explains everything you need to know before, during, and after your adventure.
Before You Arrive
Once your reservation is confirmed, you'll receive everything needed before your adventure.
Including:
Meeting location
Arrival time
Parking information
Weather updates (if necessary)
What to bring
Contact information
We recommend arriving 15–20 minutes before your scheduled adventure.
This gives everyone enough time to prepare without feeling rushed.
Where Will We Meet?
Most Big Orange adventures take place around North Carolina's beautiful Triangle lakes.
Depending on your experience, we'll meet at locations around:
Jordan Lake
Falls Lake
Harris Lake
The exact meeting point will always be included in your confirmation email.
What Should I Wear?
Comfort is the key to enjoying your adventure.
We Recommend
Lightweight rash guard or long-sleeve sun shirt ⭐ (Highly Recommended)
Quick-drying athletic shorts or board shorts
Water shoes
Sport sandals with heel straps
Hat or cap
Polarized sunglasses
Reef-friendly sunscreen
Why We Recommend Long Sleeves
Many first-time guests think a swimsuit or short-sleeve shirt is the most comfortable choice.
After spending countless hours on North Carolina lakes, we've learned otherwise.
A lightweight rash guard or long-sleeve sun shirt offers several advantages:
Excellent UV protection
Keeps your skin cooler under direct sunlight
Dries quickly
Protects against reflected sunlight from the water
Eliminates the need to constantly reapply sunscreen to your arms and shoulders
If you prefer swimwear or a short-sleeve shirt, that's perfectly fine.
Just remember that sunscreen will gradually wash or rub off throughout your adventure, so you'll likely need to reapply it several times, especially during longer experiences.
Most experienced riders eventually switch to lightweight sun shirts because they're simply more comfortable for spending time on the water.
What Shoes Are Best?
We recommend:
Water shoes
Sport sandals with heel straps
Old athletic shoes that can get wet
Please avoid:
Flip-flops
Bare feet
High heels
Good footwear makes launching and returning much easier, especially around boat ramps and rocky shorelines.
Sunglasses
Polarized sunglasses are one of the best accessories you can bring.
They reduce glare from the water and make it much easier to see beneath the surface.
However...
Water has a way of claiming sunglasses.
We strongly recommend using a floating sunglasses retainer.
If you don't already have one, Big Orange keeps floating retainers available during check-in for $9.
For comparison, similar retainers are commonly sold at outdoor retailers such as Dick's Sporting Goods for around $13.
It's an inexpensive accessory that can save a much more expensive pair of sunglasses.
What Should I Bring?
You don't need much.
We provide nearly all the equipment.
Recommended personal items include:
Water bottle
Towel
Change of clothes
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Waterproof phone case (optional)
Leave unnecessary valuables in your vehicle.
Travel light.
You'll enjoy the adventure much more.
Can I Bring My Phone?
Absolutely.
Many guests capture incredible photos and videos during their adventure.
A waterproof floating phone case is highly recommended.
Modern phone cameras produce amazing photos from the middle of the lake.
Just don't forget the floating case.
Can I Bring a GoPro or Action Camera?
Definitely.
GoPro, Insta360, DJI Action cameras, and similar devices work extremely well.
Chest mounts often provide the best perspective during eFoil lessons.
Electric Propulsion adventures are also perfect for capturing scenic wildlife and sunset footage.
Will I Get Wet?
Probably.
At least a little.
Discover Series adventures usually involve only light splashes.
Learn Series experiences involve more time in the water while learning.
Getting wet isn't a problem.
It's part of the fun.
What If I Fall Into the Water?
First...
Smile.
Everyone falls.
Especially while learning to eFoil.
Falling into the water is completely normal and expected.
Every participant wears a properly fitted Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Before entering the water, we'll teach you how to fall safely and recover confidently.
One of the foundations of FlowSync™ is simple:
If you're comfortable falling, you'll become comfortable flying.
Do I Need to Know How to Swim?
Basic comfort around water is recommended.
Strong swimming ability is not required for most Discover Series experiences.
Every participant wears a life jacket throughout the adventure.
Our instructors remain nearby at all times.
If you're unsure, simply tell us before your adventure.
We'll recommend the experience best suited to your comfort level.
What Happens if the Weather Changes?
Nature always has the final say.
Safety comes before schedules.
We continuously monitor:
Wind
Thunderstorms
Lightning
Heavy rain
Water conditions
If conditions aren't suitable, we'll happily reschedule your adventure.
We'd rather wait for a beautiful day than compromise your experience.
What Equipment Is Included?
Big Orange provides everything needed for your adventure.
Depending on your selected experience, equipment includes:
Electric propulsion board or eFoil
Battery
Wrist-mounted controller or wireless controller
Coast Guard-approved life jacket
Professional instruction
Guided experience
Just bring yourself.
We'll take care of the rest.
Protecting Your Valuables
One of our favorite recommendations is simple:
Bring less.
Modern car keys, wallets, and electronics are expensive to replace.
If your vehicle supports keypad entry, consider leaving your key safely locked inside.
Otherwise, use a certified waterproof pouch.
The fewer valuables you carry, the more you'll relax and enjoy the adventure.
What Happens When I Arrive?
Every Big Orange adventure follows a relaxed and organized process.
Welcome
Meet your guide.
We'll introduce ourselves and answer any questions.
Equipment Fitting
We'll fit your life jacket and introduce your equipment.
No experience is required.
Safety Briefing
We'll explain:
Equipment operation
Communication signals
Safety procedures
Environmental awareness
Respect for other lake users
Questions are always welcome.
Practice
You'll spend a few minutes becoming comfortable with your equipment before beginning the adventure.
No pressure.
Everyone learns differently.
Adventure Begins
Now it's time to explore.
Whether you're watching osprey near Jordan Lake, gliding quietly through hidden coves, or taking your very first eFoil flight, your guide will remain nearby throughout the experience.
Return
We'll return together, answer any remaining questions, and help you capture a few final memories before saying goodbye.
Many guests leave already planning their next adventure.
Which Experience Should I Choose?
I want to relax.
Choose:
🌊 Discover Series
I want to learn to fly.
Choose:
🏄 Learn Series
I want to explore North Carolina's lakes.
Choose:
🧭 Explorer Series
Our Promise
Every Big Orange adventure begins with three commitments.
Safety First
Confidence comes before speed.
Learn Together
We'll meet you where you are.
Every rider progresses differently.
Explore More
Our goal isn't simply to put you on the water.
It's to help you discover places, experiences, and memories you'll carry long after the adventure ends.
We Can't Wait to Meet You
Every Big Orange guest begins the same way.
With curiosity.
Some come looking for a relaxing afternoon.
Some hope to fly for the first time.
Others simply want to spend meaningful time outdoors with family and friends.
No matter why you visit, we're honored to be part of your adventure.
We'll see you on the water.
Continue Your Big Orange Journey
Learning is part of every adventure.
Whether you're preparing for your first visit, exploring North Carolina's lakes, or working toward your FlowSync™ milestones, the Big Orange Knowledge Center is here to help you discover more.
Start Here
Learn who we are, what we believe, and how we're building a community through outdoor recreation.
Discover how electric propulsion makes water recreation quieter, easier, and more accessible for everyone.
Understand how eFoils work and why flying above the water has become one of the fastest-growing water sports in the world.
Explore Big Orange's structured learning system and discover how confidence is built one milestone at a time.
Everything you need to know before your first visit—from what to wear and what to bring to what happens when you arrive.
Choose Your Adventure
Easy to join. No experience required.
Relax, explore, watch wildlife, and experience North Carolina's lakes through beginner-friendly guided adventures.
Build confidence. Master the ride.
Learn eFoiling through the FlowSync™ Learning System with professional coaching and guided milestones.
Discover North Carolina, one lake at a time.
Go beyond the ordinary and explore hidden coves, scenic shorelines, local history, and remarkable wildlife.
Keep Learning
The Knowledge Center is updated regularly with new articles covering:
Lake guides and launch points
Wildlife and bird watching
Outdoor safety
Equipment guides
Beginner tips
FlowSync™ training
Frequently asked questions
Seasonal adventure ideas
Whether you're planning your first ride or your fiftieth, there's always something new to discover.
See You on the Water.
Connect people. Inspire exploration. Build community.
🍊 Big Orange Water Sports
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