I tried it at San Adrián de Cobres Pier in Pontevedra with Flyboard Vigo. David, who explained how the activity works and shared tips for learning to fly.
The activity took place very close to Vigo, at San Adrián de Cobres Pier in Pontevedra. To get there from Vigo or Pontevedra via the AP-9 motorway, take exit 146 for Cangas/Moaña, then at the roundabout follow signs for San Adrián de Cobres. During August they also operate in Sanxenxo, a popular summer beach destination. There you'll find many adventure sports: jet skis, parasailing, water skiing, etc.
The flight lasts about 30-40 minutes, depending on how quickly you learn, but if you follow their instructions precisely you'll pick it up very quickly! I was worried about keeping balance and not being able to get out of the water, but within 5 minutes I was already flying around the instructor!
To prevent injuries when falling into the water, they provide a wetsuit (which also keeps you warm in Galicia's chilly waters), plus a life jacket and helmet. Safety first!
The equipment consists of boots attached to a small board with powerful water jets on either side that propel you upwards. The boots are connected via a 20-metre hose to the instructor's jet ski, which provides the power to go up or down while they follow you.
You control the rest by leaning forward or backward to accelerate or brake, and turning your body to change direction. The sensation of flying over water is incredible, especially once you start controlling the device. At first you sit and drop into the water, then lie back to move away from shore before straightening up to lift out.
The instructor always gives one crucial tip: even when flying in another direction, always keep looking at their jet ski - this maintains control. If you look down at the water, you'll fall... though it's hard not to look where you're falling! With this equipment you can do amazing tricks, though for first-timers just getting out of the water and doing laps without falling is an achievement. In my case, I reached about 4 metres high and stayed up for 3 minutes straight.
At the end, with an audience watching from the pier, I attempted David's dolphin trick - launching out of the water then diving headfirst back in before resurfacing. A bit tricky but I managed it!
I loved this activity and plan to do it again next summer!
How about you - have you tried flyboarding yet?
