Try flying over the waves!

For a unique experience — one of which can only be experienced in a few places around the globe –— why not try your hand at flyboarding, and zip and zoom above the waves?

Largely popularised locally by the Instagram account of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, a flyboard can best be described as a sort of water-propelled jetpack. In most configurations, a rider stands a top a small platform, the board, that is connected by a long hose to a watercraft. Water is forced through to a pair jet-nozzles, which thrust one into the air. Alternatively, you could even dive into the water!

Although it may seem intimidating at first, flyboarding can be an incredible experience, and can make one feel like Ironman or a character from a science fiction film.

Among the best local options to try your hand at flyboarding in Dubai is SeaRide Dubai, which uses a flyboard attached by an 18-metre pipe to twin jetski engines.

Under the careful supervision of an instructor, in no time you’ll be flying steady, turning, diving, and perhaps even trying out a few tricks, such as a back flip. Although it may look tricky, the key is balance. If you manage to keep your balance and you listen to your instructor, it’s surprisingly easy.

Once you’ve tried flyboarding, why not step things up and go for a hoverboard? It’s essentially the same concept, except that the nozzles are attached to a snowboard-like contraption, allowing one to “surf” up and down through the air. It’s a bit trickier though, so SeaRide Dubai requires that you’ve had at least one flyboard experience before you give it a go.

However, it’s not cheap, both the flyboard and the hoverboard cost Dh300 for 20 minutes but it’s well worth it. Time to get flying! bernd@khaleejtimes.com