- A man was spotted flying on a hoverboard during the Singapore F1 race over the weekend.
- The Straits Times
The future is here.
Over the recent Formula 1 (F1) weekend, onlookers watched with their mouths agape as a man flew high above the Marina Bay waters.
- Video of a man on a hoverboard.
- Facebook / Riduan Yusoff
The French man, Frank Zapata, was invited to perform and showcase his invention for the Singapore Grand Prix.
- Zapata re-posted the video that F1 had taken of him and thanked the organisers for inviting him to perform.
- Instagram / frankyzapata
He invented the jet-powered hoverboard himself, and he calls it ‘Flyboard Air’. This is the first time the Flyboard Air was on show in Singapore.
Here is an interview Zapata did:
- Zapata talks about his hoverboard.
- Instagram / f1nightrace
According to his website, the Flyboard Air can currently travel up to 140 kph, and reach a maximum height of 150 m with a flight time of six minutes. First unveiled in 2016, Flyboard Air is powered by turbine engines.
About two weeks ago, he posted a video of himself zipping through the air and racing with a super car.
- Zapata races with a Lamborghini in the video.
- Facebook / Frank Zapata
Before there was Flyboard Air, there was Flyboard, a similar hydroflight machine that uses water to propel the device. Zapata is also the inventor of the Flyboard, and it has become a form of water sport globally.
- You too can fly as Zapata sells the Flyboard on his website.
- Instagram / frankyzapata
Flyboards are being sold on his website, and prices range from S$1,826 (US$1,334) to S$3,363. Zapata is not selling the Flyboard Air though.