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Flyboarding They say mankind cannot fly. Apparently no one told our man Matt Flyboarding in Dubai – is brand new to the UAE.
Getting Started
I
f there are three undeniable truths that I’ve learnt in this life, they are: the world is round, Leonardo DiCaprio will be overlooked come Oscar season, and man cannot fly. Little was I to know that this month one of those unshakeable beliefs was about to be shattered. Regular readers over the past couple of years will be well aware of my intrepid alter ego ‘Danger Matt’ and his fondness for recklessly throwing himself into the UAE’s wildest and most adrenaline-filled activities –
but even he was not ready for Flyboarding. In layman’s terms, the new activity – currently turning heads on Umm Suqeim beach – is essentially like having a water-propelled jetpack strapped to your feet. The board is attached to the engine of an accompanying Jetski via a 20 foot-long tube, with the thrust of the flyboard generated by the Jetski. Having only been introduced globally in May last year, the sport is still in its infancy and – thanks to the Temihas, a Kiwi expat family who run
Spotting where the Flyboarding station is on the beach is not hard. As I rock up early on a Friday morning, one of the Temiha clan is out on the Flyboard wowing beach-goers with an impressive array of tricks. That familiar cocktail of excitement and nerves immediately takes hold of me. After being run through the safety procedures by the boss lady, Sherri, we lightheartedly trade extreme sport accomplishments. “Bungee jumping? Sure,” she shrugs nonchalantly, “but this is flying, not falling.” I swallow what is left of my confidence. Now kitted out in a wetsuit and life jacket I wade out into the water and am met by the wide grin of my instructor, Tiaki. “It’s easier than it looks,” he says, obviously clocking the mountain of nerves ill disguised behind my fake smile as he straps my feet snugly into the Flyboard. Tiaki then mounts his nearby Jetski and explains that the key is to keep your legs straight, try to stand up and then once standing only move your feet slightly to adjust your balance – the simplicity of it all sounds remarkably reassuring. There are no excuses now.
the
Verdict
Take Off I lie on my front as we gently motor out into deeper water, then without warning Tiaki opens the throttle and – as if hitting the turbo button – I start rocketing through the water. Keeping my legs straight I push them down into a standing position and instantly I start rising up out of the water. Terrified, and not totally in control, I fall over. I chalk it down as a decent attempt. I try again, this time consciously keeping very still trying to stay balanced. It works. As soon as I’m stable Tiaki gives the engine more juice and I rise higher out of the water – I am flying. Crashing back down to the surface from 15ft isn’t the nicest feeling in the world, but you wouldn’t know it from the grin spread across my face. Within seconds I am back up again, this time oozing with confidence, and why not, it’s not everyday you get to go flying – or maybe it is. Beach side slipway, Umm Suqeim 2, Dubai, daily 9am to 4pm, Sun to Thur Dhs250, Fri and Sat, Dhs300. Tel: (04) 4335783. Taxi: Next to Umm Suqeim marina. flyboardingwatersports.com
Over the years ‘Danger Matt’ has done some cool things within these pages, but flying around 20ft above the water is without question the coolest.
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4/27/13 2:49 PM