Ever wished you could fly like Superman? Do back flips in the air? Well, now you can – just head to Yas, and try the UAE’s latest water sports craze, flyboarding.
Windsurfing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding… You’ve tried ’em all. But we bet you haven’t tried the aqua sport flyboarding, which is the latest craze to hit Abu Dhabi.
The sport was created in 2011 by the French Jet Ski designer Franky Zapata, and it has since become a hit with thrill-seeking celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Vin Diesel.
It’s now bidding for popularity among Abu Dhabi’s watersports fans. Be the first to try it.
What is flyboarding?
The science behind it is surprisingly simple. Wearing rollerblade-style boots, a rider straps their feet to a board the size of a dinner tray. This board is connected to a Jet Ski by an 18m hose. A Jet Ski engine supplies power to pump water into the hose, which propels the board up to 8m in the air. An instructor stays on the Jet Ski, controlling the water pressure.
Is it dangerous?
Like with all watersports, there’s an element of risk, because there’s a chance you could fall on top of the Jet Ski. You’ll have to sign your life away in waivers, but realistically, falling on the Jet Ski is unlikely to happen because the length of the hose keeps you a safe distance away.
Following a 15-minute safety instruction, riders don a life jacket and a helmet, then practise in water 4-5m deep. Chances are the worst that will happen is you’ll do an epic belly flop. But even if you do crash and burn, that’s part of the fun of it.
It looks tricky – does it need much skill?
You don’t need to have muscles like Iron Man to be able to zoom around like him – you just need good balance. As long as you can keep your balance as you would on say, a wobble board, you’ll be fine. It doesn’t take too long to master either. Practise by standing on one leg. Best not to do this at work, though.
Where can I try it?
A 30-minute session with Abu Dhabi Marine Sports on Yas Island costs Dhs300, while an hour is Dhs500. Regular flyboarders can learn tricks such as back flips and dolphin dives within a few sessions.
Rocketman
Daniel Szymanski, director of Abu Dhabi Marine Sports, is a real-life rocketman. He began offering the sport in October 2012. He says, ‘The Jet Skis have the potential to power water through the hose at 120km per hour, so if you’re athletic and skilled, you really can fly on your first session. For most people this takes around ten lessons. We have four flyboards; two in Abu Dhabi, one at our Dubai branch near the Al Mamzar slipway and one we save for shows.’
Abu Dhabi Marine Sports, Sheikh Khalifa Highway causeway near Kite beach, Yas Island. Email info@flyboards-uae.com. www.flyboards-uae.com (050 817 3071).
Testing the water
Love the buzz of adrenaline? Then try these three other weird watersports
If the thought of kangarooing on the surface of the sea appeals, try waterskipping. An aqua skipper is a three-legged aluminium contraption which riders hop on while on-land. Riders hold on to the handle in front, pulling it up and pushing it down to propel themselves into the water and across the surface. You basically bounce along at up to 30km per hour with hilarious results until you sink (probably). Dhs100 per hour. Abu Dhabi Marine Sports www.flyboards-uae.com (050 817 3071).
Like surfing? Like wakeboarding? Then you’ll love flowboarding.
A cross between the two, flowboarders can stand, lie or kneel on a board 4ft long and ride a manmade wave at Yas Waterworld. Up to 20 people can join a class, which is held every Wednesday 8am-11am and Saturday 5pm-8pm. The group classes include some one-on-one time with the instructor.
Dhs200 for three hours. www.yaswaterworld.com (02 414 2000).
If speed and power appeal, then so will zapcatting. A zapcat is a small but mighty vessel powered by powerful 50hp engines. It’s just big enough for you and an instructor, so after a 15-minute safety briefing, you’ll be co-steering it as you crash over waves. A 30-minute session costs Dhs250 per person. Groups of six can have a two-hour session for Dhs1,300.
Daily 10am-6pm. Watercooled, Hilton Abu Dhabi www.watercooleddubai.com (02 639 5997).
