When I’m on the beach, I prefer to read a good book or two. As enjoyable as it is doing next to nothing while laying in the sun, each trip I try to do something memorable that I can’t do at home. In February 2020, I decided to try my hand at flyboarding on Captiva Island. It’s offered through Yolo Watersports, and it’s something I passed over on previous trips.
Flyboarding offers you the second-best view of Captiva Island and is only surpassed by parasailing (that deserves a post of its own). After you come to shore, you’ll likely be greeted by fellow vacationers asking all about this fun excursion.
What is Flyboarding
Flyboarding was invented in 2012 by Frenchman Franky Zapata. A flyboard looks like a snowboard with a firehose attached. A wave runner with a special attachment pushes water up through the hose then down through the board, with enough force that allows you to hover several feet over the water.
If you’ve ever dreamed of flying or being Iron Man (who hasn’t?!), this is a must-try excursion when you’re in Captiva. It’s the next best thing.
Flyboarding on Captiva Island Through YOLO
This was my first time using a Flyboard and the crew from YOLO Watersports walked me through what to expect and how to get the most out of my flight.
Water may seem soft, but when you fall from several feet in the air, it can hurt. Thankfully, a helmet and life jacket are provided by YOLO. They help put your gear on before heading to the water.
Once you wade into the Gulf, you’ll hop on the back of the wave runner with your legs hanging over the edge. Then, YOLO straps you into the board.
You’ll lay on the water in a prone position and the wave runner pilot will tell you where to point yourself. Using the force of the water, you’ll help tow the wave runner to a safe distance from shore, where the water is deep enough to try to flyboard. Be sure to keep your head elevated, otherwise, you may take in seawater.
As the picture with this article suggests, after a short ride, you’ll find yourself quite far from shore, in water deep enough to safely crash.
Flyboarding 101
After reaching the flight area, the wave runner pilot will remind you of the key concepts:
- Stand up straight in the water without bending your knees.
- Point your feet down at a 40-45 degree angle.
- Raising a leg slighting turns you in the other direction.
- Changing the angle of your feet will allow you to move.
- Maintain a safe distance from the watercraft.
When you and your pilot are ready, the pilot will slowly increase the throttle, giving you a chance to get a feel for the power of the water and will slowly increase the power until you are airborne.
The pilot will continue giving helpful advice to ensure you get the most out of your flight time.
Flyboarding Tips
The hardest part, at least for me, was fighting the urge to keep my feet level with the ground and to bend my knees. Once I kept my feet pointed at a 40-45 degree angle and locked my knees, getting airborne and staying level was easy.
After five minutes, and a dozen crashes, I was able to recover without crashing. I popped up out of the water and up into the air like a missile launched from a sub. Success! After another minute, I was able to maneuver the board wherever I wanted.
Once you get the hang of it, you can fly almost uninterrupted for the remainder of your session time.
Why You’ll Enjoy Flyboarding
One of the better views of the area is flyboarding on Captiva Island. You get to see the island from a distance while still being in the water.
- Excursion: Flyboarding on Captiva Island
- Where: Yolo Watersports, 11534 Andy Rosse Ln, Captiva, FL (website)
- Requirements: The rider must be at least 75 lbs / 34 kg.
- Time: 30 Minutes, plus setup and instructions.
- What to Bring: Credit card, and cash if you don’t plan on leaving the tip on your card.
- What to Wear: Swimsuit
