There will be some restrictions sooner or later but not so strict like for jet-skis.
I had to wear a helmet and a lifejacket as it was suggested by a Harbour Master.
I did but after a while had to give up with a lifejacket as it was hampering too much. Just wrong type of the PFD.
At open water I would not use any protection. I do not need it but it should be used by all beginners.
Falling - it's not so bad till speed is less than 30kmh. Bear in mind that a board is flying 20-40cm above water on average.
However falling with speed 40kmh will be painful. No doubts.
But the beauty of this efoil is that you can lay down on it and levitate too.
This is the easiest device to learn levitation I've ever experienced.
Anybody will feel it in 1-10 minutes.
All can levitate after first session.
And I repeat - ANYBODY.
I think about so many experienced kiters who gave up with foiling because it was too hard for them. Or it took them one full season of frustration to master first stage of levitation.
With efoil - any grandpa and kid (who does not afraid water) taken out of the blue from a beach should levitate.
That's incredible.
Talking about safety I would be more concern about consequences of cutting fingers when a beginner would manage to put his hand into a prop.
I believe that props is a temporary solution.
A stream jet is the must IMO.
It could be hidden in a fuselage. There are only advantages including surfers. No difference in drag when power is suddenly reduced or stopped.
With a prop usually it ends up falling.
I have no doubts that it will be huge in surfing.
Imagine - you can stay in surfing zone for 3 hours catching every 11th wave. The ratio of ridden waves would be unbeatable! 30-40 waves per hour!
For sure one day I will get efoil - mostly to ride waves at my place.
We have one of the best waves at Polish coast. They are perfect for efoiling