Franky Zapata
Franky Zapata is the inventor of Flyboard and founder of Zapata Racing, based in Marseille, France. Zapata first came into the spotlight as a jetski racer and received the title of RUN F1 World Champion. After many years in manufacturing jetskis, he invented the Flyboard. Through this invention, Zapata mixed all his passions in one product.[1]
Flyboard
The Flyboard is an accessory that attaches to a personal watercraft (PWC) that gives the Flyboard propulsion through air and water. It can be referred to as a water jetpack.
The sport utilizing Flyboard equipment is referred to as Flyboarding and uses a personal watercraft for propulsion underwater and in the air. On a Flyboard, the rider stands on the board that is connected via a long hose with the watercraft, the water is routed to a pair of boots with jet nozzles underneath which provide thrust and all the rider to fly up to 15 meters in the air or dive headfirst through the water.[2]
After 2012, all efforts of Zapata Racing were focused on the development, manufacturing of the Flyboard.[3]
Airboard
Having made the finals of the television show Un Incroyable Talent Zapata unveiled the next generation after his water propelled Flyboard, the Airboard. This new contraption uses a jet turbine with a 100-foot (30 m) hose which allows the rider to fly over land in a similar fashion to the Flyboard.[4]
Hoverboard by ZR
The Hoverboard by ZR is a mix between a surf board a skate board that attaches to a personal watercraft (PWC) that gives the Hoverboard by ZR propulsion through air. It can be referred to as a water jetpack. Invented in 2014 by Franky Zapata, French businessman, inventor, and builder of Hoverboard by ZR. thumbnail http://www.zapata-racing.com/hoverboard/videos-hoverboard-by-zr/
Jetski racing
Zapata has competed and won various titles in jetski racing around the world.[5]
- 1996 National Champion SKI STOCK
- 1997 3rd World Champion Rally Raid Orléon RUN F1
- 1998 National a European Champion RUN F1
- 1998 Vice World Champion Rally Raid Orléon RUN F1
- 1999 European Champion RUN F1
- 2000 SEASON in USA
- 2001 KING OF BERCY – Paris RUN F1
- 2003 Vice European Champion RUN F1
- 2004 Vice European Champion RUN F1
- 2004 3rd world Champion Rally Raid Orléon RUN F1
- 2005 European Champion RUN F1
- 2006 European Champion RUN F1
- 2006 Vice world Champion Rally RAID Orléon RUN F1
- 2007 European Champion RUN F1
- 2007 World Champion Rally RAID Orléon RUN F1
- 2007 Vice world Champion SKI F1 World Finals
- 2008 European Champion RUN F1
- 2008 World Champion RUN F1 World Finals
- 2008 3rd Word Champion SKI F1 World Finals
- 2009 Vice World Champion SKI F1
- 2009 Winner Cavalaire Enduro Jey-Ski F1
- 2010 European C RUN F1
References
- ↑ Zapata Racing – Franky Zapata, outliermagazine.co, access date 18 December 2013
- ↑ Zapata's outrageous, US$6,600 Flyboard - Aquaman meets Iron Man, gizmag.com, access date 13 August 2013
- ↑ Franky Zapata Jets, zapata-racing.com, access date 18 December 2013
- ↑ Airboard, FlyboardMagazine.com, access date 18 December 2013
- ↑ Franky Zapata, zapata-racing.com, access date 18 December 2013