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Is it a bird or plane?! Flyboarding hits the VI!

- latest exciting addition to local company Blue Rush Water Sport & Jet Ski Rentals Inc
Professional Flyboarder Jonathon N. Julien of St Martin mesmerised spectators that included customers and staff of Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort, with backflips, spirals, and dives. Photo: VINO
Tourists and other persons were blown away in amazement when Blue Rush Water Sport and Jet Ski Rentals Inc. staged a Flyboarding exhibition in the waters of Little Dix Bay on Saturday March 21, 2015. Photo: VINO
Tourists and other persons were blown away in amazement when Blue Rush Water Sport and Jet Ski Rentals Inc. staged a Flyboarding exhibition in the waters of Little Dix Bay on Saturday March 21, 2015. Photo: VINO
The Flyboard was invented in 2012 by a French watercraft rider, Franky Zapata. Photo: VINO
The Flyboard was invented in 2012 by a French watercraft rider, Franky Zapata. Photo: VINO
Jonathon N. Julien of St Martin executing a backflip. Photo: VINO
Jonathon N. Julien of St Martin executing a backflip. Photo: VINO
Jonathon N. Julien with members of Blue Rush Water Sport & Jet Ski Rentals Inc. Also in photo are the company's Directors, Joshua N. Wheatley (left) and Trevor I. Walters (right). Photo: VINO
Jonathon N. Julien with members of Blue Rush Water Sport & Jet Ski Rentals Inc. Also in photo are the company's Directors, Joshua N. Wheatley (left) and Trevor I. Walters (right). Photo: VINO
LITTLE DIX BAY, Virgin Gorda, VI- “Spectacular”, “cool”, “wow”, “amazing”, were just some of the one worded expressions from tourists and other persons when Blue Rush Water Sport and Jet Ski Rentals Inc. staged a Flyboarding exhibition in the waters of Little Dix Bay on Saturday March 21, 2015.

The spectacular and thrilling display was performed by professional Flyboarder Jonathon N. Julien of St Martin, who mesmerised spectators that included customers and staff of Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort, with backflips, spirals, and dives.

For some, Julien rising nearly 30 feet above water and standing tall like the Green Goblin on his Goblin Glider from the hit movie Amazing Spiderman was enough to put spectators in awe.

“I would absolutely try this, it looks like so much fun,” remarked Cecelia Stanley who was visiting from New York.

What is a Flyboard?

A Flyboard rider stands on a board connected by a long hose to a watercraft. Water is forced under pressure to a pair of boots with jet nozzles underneath which provide thrust for the rider to fly up to 15 m (49 ft) in the air or to dive headlong through the water down to 2.5 m (8 ft). The Flyboard was invented in 2012 by a French watercraft rider, Franky Zapata.

“It is one of the most extreme sports right now and one of the easiest extreme sports also. It looks difficult but it is very easy. It takes just about five minutes to learn how to fly but you will need a lot of training to do the tricks,” said Julien, who has some three years of experience in the sport and has already competed in two World Championships. Julien is rated in the top 15 in the world for Flyboarding.

The skilled Flyboarder also told Virgin Islands News Online that he has already trained more than 6 thousand people from ages 9 to 79 and none has ever failed.

Blue Rush Water Sports and Jet Ski Rentals Inc., of which Joshua N. Wheatley and Trevor I. Walters are the Directors, collaborated with the Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort to have the demonstration done near to the resort’s dock. The intention is to offer Flyboarding as one of the many activities their company already offers at Leverick Bay.

“This is a very unique experience as it is only been out for a couple of years. I think it is very exciting and I am sure people will be excited to give it a try. This is bringing something different to the table. We are based up at Leverick Bay but we will respond to invitations across the territory.

Wheatley further said the feedbacks so far from persons witnessing the sport and actually giving it a try have been extremely positive. “A lot of people are fascinated to give it a try as well as just being a spectator. It’s extremely positive. A lot of people want to try it out and some are very curious to know how it works.”

A safe sport

While thrilling and amazing, the question of safety cannot be escaped. However, Wheatley and Walters, who are certified Flyboarding trainers, assured that the sport is very safe.

“The dangers are the possibility of hitting a jet ski and the possibility of the water being too shallow, which can be avoided by Flyboarding only in deep water, and the person on the jet ski ensuring that the Flyboarder doesn’t get too close.

“Persons are taught how to manoeuvre within the water before flying. The operator controls the throttle on the jet ski which controls the thrust. Now if I recognise that the Flyboarder is coming too close to the jet ski or anything all I do is let you down into the water,” Wheatley said.

Taking water sports to a new level

According to Walters, the aim of Blue Rush Water Sports is to have the most diverse water sports package available in the Virgin Islands. “Right now we have jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding among other things. We want to be the most diverse and we also want to have packages to cater for everyone’s pocket.”

“There is a demand for more water sports in the BVI, especially in North Sound, Virgin Gorda. We want to meet the demands,” Wheatley added.

All the activities currently being offered by the young men’s company can be found on the website bluerushwatersports.com.

According to a tourist, who seemed blown away by the Flyboarding display, she didn’t know if she would give it a try but she certainly loved watching the sport “because it was incredibly cool and they are so talented. And the whole process, how it works, and how it is propelled with the water is just so very cool.”

“My husband might try it! But I do think people would enjoy it. It needs to come here,” commented Sally Wilson, who is from Dallas, Texas.

There is good news for Sally and others fascinated by Flyboarding as Blue Rush Water Sport and Jet Ski Rentals Inc. has all intentions of making Flyboarding a hit among tourists and residents alike in the Virgin Islands.

17 Responses to “Is it a bird or plane?! Flyboarding hits the VI!”

  • qc (27/03/2015, 09:49) Like (5) Dislike (20) Reply
    this seems like fun and how come they have not legalize jet sky...can't wait until VIP gets in
  • cgb (27/03/2015, 09:56) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Will have at soon
  • Skyscraper (27/03/2015, 10:10) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice
  • great (27/03/2015, 10:44) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is cool. How they say locals struggling in their own country when everyday you reading about young BVIslanders pushing good businesses? All the best guys.
  • one eye (27/03/2015, 10:46) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    Hope they have insurance
    • @ one eye (27/03/2015, 11:22) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
      yeap it looks dengrious
      • VXR (27/03/2015, 11:32) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Those tricks are for pros only and yes those guys do have insurance. Please look at Flyboard rentals in St. Thomas and St. Martin!
      • LMAO!! (27/03/2015, 13:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

        It looks dengrious? What's dengrious? That sounds like a skin disorder. Well what $h1t I reading here today! SMH!

        • lolololololol (28/03/2015, 14:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          lololololol that is a CLASSIC! skin disorder, lololololol, I was thinking the same thing about the spelling of the words that people put up in here. oh and fyi to another blogger, it is jet ski not jet SKY.
      • Guest (27/03/2015, 14:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        I hope you jokingly misspelt that word.
  • Interesting (27/03/2015, 12:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This seems to be a good sport. would like to try this
  • fry (27/03/2015, 15:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    shut up and take my money
  • ## (27/03/2015, 15:52) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    too bad. I thought jet skis were illegal. pretty soon we will get more on Tortola adding to noise pollution and accidents. It truly is becoming a rich man's play ground. I find all these "toys" stupid.
  • Sea It Clear BVI (28/03/2015, 05:27) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mad Respect to the Blue Rush guy's. Virgin Gorda it self is a beautiful playground - but what's a play ground with out cool toys?

    We have the best Jet Ski rentals with excellent services.

    We have Fusion & Carib Kite boarding with excellent services.

    Last but not least we have Gumption's Tour's BVI.

    All 3 are loved by our visitors and locals a like. It's about time Virgin Gorda (North Sound) get more a live with activities.

    From one entrepreneur to the next I wish Blue Rush all the best.
  • Guest (30/03/2015, 16:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great experience. Customer service from them terribly sucks! Smh...


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