Flyboarding in Port Credit

Friday is opening day at the Port Credit Boat Show. Not only were 50 boats and 40 vendors on hand. But so was a cool new sport called flyboarding. Participants stand in boots on a board. Connected to the board is a hose which is attached to a watercraft. The water is forced under pressure to the boots thrusting the rider high into the air. Our Perdita Felcien strapped on the flyboard Friday and gives us her first-person perspective.

I’ve never heard of this sport. It was only introduced in 2011 and started in France. Martin from Ontario Flyboard was my instructor and it was a thrill to put it mildy. It’s easy to feel like super woman once you get the hang of fly boarding — but it can take a few attempts to figure it all out.

High above the Credit Village Marina the key is keeping your feet right under your ankles flexed and core tight. The instant you get cocky – gravity humbles you and splash!

Martin Lavoie from Ontario Flyboard: “You just have to focus on your leaning backwards to keep the board as straight as possible because if you lean forward too much or backwards too much you’re gonna either go backwards or forward too quick.”

Invented by French watercraft rider Franky Zapata, anyone can try this — even kids — and news reporters who happen to put on their wet suit backwards.

The flyboards boots are one size fits all. It is also buoyant, so if a rider gets fatigued they can rest freely and safely.

Your instructor will tell you it is important for riders to stay relaxed and keep away from the watercraft at all times.

Friday’s water temperature was around 5 degrees celcius, but the wet suit keeps you very warm — plus the adrenaline and fun ensure you forget about the cold.

I hit the water hard a few times, but it didn’t hurt at all. If anyone at home wants to give it a try, Ontario Flyboard will be on hand all weekend. A 30 minute session cost $150.