The future of boating?

   While in North Carolina last year I noticed a water-sport rental place advertising the Flyboard - an Iron Man like water jetpack. Water sprays out of your feet and arms and you're shot up 20 feet into the air. The flyboarder can dive, spin, and even flip. You're connected to a jet ski with driver that spots you and powers the whole operation.
   At the Seattle Boats Afloat show last Fall we stumbled upon a real life Flyboard demo. It seemed equal parts amazing & silly. Invented by Frank Zapata, a French jet ski champion, the Flyboard is interesting but it ain't cheap. It's a little hard to find out how much the kit actually costs, somewhere between $5,000 & $10,000. Plus, you need a jet ski to help run the thing…and you have to pay around $300 for an intro class.
   Will flyboarding catch on like kiteboarding? Will we have another obstacle in Lake Union to dodge as we go for an evening sail? I don't think so. I hope not.
   ~Paul   ETC
P.S. OK, I'd maybe try it…once. Then toss it in the back of my orca boat and head out for the weekend! Head over to our video page to see this thing in action.