Discover the new activity in Bora Bora that will make you fly : the Flyboard. Since February you can now take off on the lagoon of Bora Bora with Fly Bora Board. For those who don’t know yet what Flyboard is, Tehei and Maxi, the founders of Fly Bora Board, explain everything…
Ia Orana, first of all could you please introduce yourselves ?
Tehei : My name is Tehei Area, I am 35 years old. I was born in Bora Bora. I worked for 15 years as a Jet-ski instructor for different companies in Bora Bora and then I decided to start my own business. To avoid launching jet ski, already existing on the island, I decided to launch a Flyboard activity. It is something new that didn’t exist here.
Maxi : My name is Maxi Zani, I’m 33 years old. I have been living in Bora Bora since I was two years old. I work in reservations at the Four Seasons in Bora Bora. We wanted to be our own bosses and tried to come up with something new. Within our company, I’m in charge of the administration, especially the reservations.
It is something new that didn’t exist here.
How did you discover the Flyboard and decided to launch this activity ?
Maxi : I was on vacation visiting my mother in Hawaii and Tehei was still in Bora Bora. We were talking a lot on the phone with Tehei about his wish to set up his own company. In the beginning Tehei had the idea of launching a Wave Boat activity (a jet ski that transforms into a boat). I had less knowledge, but I thought it would be better to launch something else. While researching what was being done in Hawaii, I discovered the Flyboard. And I thought : “Okay, that sounds great”. I talked to Tehei on the phone, there was a provider on Moorea and that’s how it started.
When did you first try flyboarding ?
Tehei : I tried it almost 5 years ago. When we came up with the idea of starting the business, we went to Moorea to try it out.
Maxi : The provider in Moorea who was offering the activity had equipment for sale. We decided to buy it and tried it at that time.
You are the only company to offer this activity in Bora Bora. And in Polynesia ?
Maxi : There is still a company in Moorea.
For those who have never heard of it, what is the Flyboard ?
Tehei : Actually, you put your feet in boots like when you go skiing, except that there are no skis but two water jets under the boots. The boots are attached to the turbine of the jet ski by a 23-meter hose. The jet ski does not move forward, but all the propulsion of the turbine goes through the hose and arrives in the shoes. That’s why there are water jets. The water comes out like that.
Maxi : It is the water pressure that makes you fly away, with the acceleration of the jet ski. The person who stands on the flyboard controls its direction.
It is the water pressure that makes you fly away, with the acceleration of the jet ski. The person who stands on the flyboard controls its direction.
How should we guide the flyboard ?
Tehei : You just have to use your ankles, a bit like when wakeboarding. To steer you have to lean forward and back. To go to one side, you bend one leg. At the beginning people who have never done this before just have to balance.
Maxi : The average is 10 minutes to find your balance and get out of the water. At the beginning when it starts to rise, you fall. It’s automatic. But then people manage to get out of the water and try to see if they can go right, left, front and back.
How high can a Flyboard fly ?
Tehei : Let’s say 15 meters maximum (49 ft).
Franky Zapata invented the Flyboard and crossed the English Channel with a Flyboard Air. What is the difference with the Flyboard ? Are the capacities the same ?
Tehei : To cross the English Channel, he didn’t use a jet ski with a hose. The turbines (aircraft turbines) are directly integrated into the board. Franky Zapata started with the Flyboard on the water and then invented the Flyboard Air, so in the air. With the Flyboard Air you can reach 200 km/h (124 mph).
Maxi : Franky Zapata has already invented the Flyboard Air, the flying motorcycle and he is now working on the flying car.
Tehei : The Flyboard is not moving forward. It’s just to fly. So, we’re not going to fly long distance. We won’t go around the island of Bora Bora for example. We will rather make figures (the dolphin for example). But figures are done by the professionals. What we offer is for initiation, to have the feeling of flying.
Maxi : And those who learn quickly can start to make the dolphin. A few weeks ago, we made a tour with a young person who already wanted to make back flips. For his first time it is not possible.
How long does a Flyboard session last ? And how does it take place ?
Tehei : One hour with the boat transfer and the equipment (helmet, life vest, boots). And there are 30 minutes during which the client will already be in the water and we will try to raise him. It takes about 10 minutes to initiate, then from 15 to 20 minutes the goal will be to hold at 2 meters (6.5 ft) high as long as possible. And after 25 minutes the legs start to get tired.
If the instructor sees that you are not ready to go higher, he does not put more gas. We hire a guide who is a real Flyboard instructor. He has been doing this for a long time and lives on the island of Bora Bora. We are two : me and the instructor. I will take care of picking up the clients by boat and the instructor will make them fly.
I will pass my certificate in September in Polynesia. So, I will also be instructor.
Maxi : And at the end of the tour, we offer water, fresh coconuts, and fruits because it’s sporty.
It takes about 10 minutes to initiate, then from 15 to 20 minutes the goal will be to hold at 2 meters (6.5 ft) high as long as possible.
What if we fall down ? Do we stay tied up ?
Tehei : Yes, that’s why we don’t take the clients too high from the beginning because if they don’t already manage to stabilize, they will lose their balance. They will stabilize at one or two meters, that’s good. But by going higher, they will have less stability because there is more length. Also, you can’t get to great heights without a few hours of practice. So, during these 30 minutes, the clients will never fall from 15 meters (49 ft). They will fall from 2 to 3 meters maximum (6 to 10 ft).
What is the best way to fall ?
Tehei : Clients are advised to dive. Even if they fall backwards, they turn around and dive. They are wearing a helmet.
Maxi : The boots also float in the water so it is easy to find yourself with your legs floating on the water with the life vest and rest.
Where do the sessions take place ?
Tehei : We have privatized a spot located a bit further from the Four Seasons. It is always the same spot. We rent it so it’s our area, there are no obstacles.
Maxi : There are 4 meters deep (13 ft) because of the hose.
Tehei : And in case of a fall, the clients fall in the water and not on sand or corals.
Who is particularly interested in Flyboarding in Bora Bora ?
Maxi : Mostly tourists. Before we started, while making our market survey, a lot of people were interested and already knew about Flyboard.
Tehei : They are mostly Americans. A lot of Americans have asked me why there’s no Flyboard here, and I said, “It’s coming soon…”.
Maxi : And currently, with the borders closed to tourists, we have locals. It’s something new, it’s in the water and people are comfortable.
Why do we have to be over 16 years old to be able to do the activity ?
Tehei : The regulations are similar to those for jet skiing. For the jet ski you have to be 16 years old so it’s the same for the flyboard.
Maxi : It is possible that the guide holds with him the youngest on the flyboard so that they can have the sensation to fly.
Is there a maximum weight ?
Tehei : It should be about 150 kg maximum (330 lb).
Is it aimed for rather sporty people ?
Maxi : Not necessarily. I often say: “If I can do it, it’s not that hard ! ». I’m not a great sportswoman and I managed to do it. The first time I did it, it was about the same as everyone else. After 10 minutes, I was out of the water.
Tehei : It’s really about balance. However, I don’t recommend the activity to people with back or hip problems and pregnant women.
Is it necessary to know how to swim ?
Maxi : That’s better. But there are the life jacket and the boots that float.
Tehei : And even if people don’t know how to swim, we’ll know it. So, of course we’re going to take it easy. It reminds me of a lady during our opening at the Yacht Club who was quite old and wasn’t very comfortable in the water. She did 10 minutes of Flyboard and then she was too tired. But she was starting to get out of the water.
Of course, we always stop when the person is getting tired.
And our argument about the Flyboard is that it is really safe. It’s surprising, it’s impressive, but it’s not dangerous because it’s the guide who manages the accelerator. It’s not like jet skiing. The clients have their own jet ski and do what they want. If they want to get their friends wet, they will do it and sometimes they get too close. Whereas with Flyboard it doesn’t happen. The clients don’t have to do anything, they just have to concentrate on their balance and the guide does everything.
Our argument about the Flyboard is that it is really safe. It’s surprising, it’s impressive, but it’s not dangerous because it’s the guide who manages the accelerator.
How would you describe the feeling of being on a Flyboard ?
Tehei : A dream come true : flying.
Both : The feeling of flying.
Tehei : Honestly it’s great! Even before flying, when the water jet shakes under your feet, it’s great. It’s impressive when the water starts pushing on your legs.
Like superheroes ?
Maxi : That’s a lot compared to Iron Man indeed.
At the beginning you have this feeling: “I am getting out of the water, I am flying”. Then you’re going to lose your balance as you look down, but it’s impressive to realize that you’re flying over the water. After a while you enjoy the view. It’s Bora Bora so as soon as you get a little bit higher you see the blue colors of the lagoon, the mountain and you enjoy the view. It’s really a combo of sensation and view.
A dream come true : flying
If someone really wanted to improve, how many sessions would he/she have to do ?
Tehei : It depends. By the second session the person is already flying and comfortable.
Maxi : So, during the second session people can start doing the dolphin (flyboard figure).
Tehei : The first session is more about getting familiar with the Flyboard. When you come back the next time you are comfortable. For example, we did our second session when our equipment arrived at Bora Bora, four years after our first try. For both of us it took a minute before we flew.
Maxi : It’s like riding a bike. As soon as you know how to ride it, it’s good.
Tehei : I already tried to do the dolphin the first time. And now I’ve mastered the dolphin. Currently I’m trying to steer myself, to do what I want with the Flyboard. I try to direct myself before making back flips.
It’s Bora Bora so as soon as you get a little bit higher you see the blue colors of the lagoon, the mountain and you enjoy the view. It’s really a combo of sensation and view.
How much does one session of Flyboard cost ?
Tehei : Tours are private and start at 25 000 XPF per person (around US$250). We offer tours at any time during the day.
How can we contact you ?
You can contact us through three different ways: by phone or Whatsapp (+689) 87-330-943, by email (flyboraboard@gmail.com) or messenger (Fly Bora Board).
Can we follow you on Instagram ?
Yes, you can follow us on Instagram : Flyboraboard. And we launched our own hastag #Flybb
Many thanks to Tehei and Maxi for this interview.
Book your Flyboard activity now :
For more information about Fly Bora Board, please visit the water activities page.
