2016 Flyboard World Cup Review

flyboard world cup naples florida zapata racing pro watercross Suksan winner champion

September 16-18 was the fifth annual Flyboard World Cup Championship. It took place at Sugden Regional Park in Naples, Florida. This was the first year that the competition was held in the United States. This was also the first time that the sport was broadcasted on television. The finals were covered by CBS Sports. Additionally, Pro Watercross live streamed the last two days of the competition. 42 athletes put together routines for the judges. Each contestant had to perform some type of rotation, spin, dive, and backflip combo. Every year, competitors push the limits, adding more flips and bigger stunts!

flyboard world cup naples florida zapata racing pro watercross
flyboard world cup naples florida zapata racing pro watercross
flyboard world cup naples florida zapata racing pro watercross
flyboard world cup naples florida zapata racing pro watercross
flyboard world cup naples florida zapata racing pro watercross
flyboard ladies world cup naples florida zapata racing pro watercross
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Damone Rippy flyboard world cup naples florida zapata racing pro watercross

One of our own team members was a competitor this year! Paul Bulka represented Aquatic Aviation. Paul has been flying since the beginning of the sport and started the first Flyboarding company in the United States.

flyboard world cup water hoverboard naples florida Paul Bulka
flyboard world cup water hoverboard naples florida Paul Bulka
IMG 52161 e14763808013471
flyboard world cup water hoverboard naples florida Paul Bulka

Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 Flyboard World Cup! In the Ladies category, congratulations to Kristen Smoyer from the United States. In the Veteran’s category, we had Todd Sawisch from the United States. In the Pro Division, first place went to Suksan Tourunen from Thailand. This is Suksan’s third time coming in first.

flyboard world cup naples florida zapata racing pro watercross veterans winner
flyboard world cup naples florida zapata racing pro watercross pro winner
flyboard world cup naples florida zapata racing pro watercross ladies winner

If you missed it, here is the footage from the semi-finals and finals on Sunday.

Flying for a Cause

Iris spreads awareness for breast cancer in the Flyboard community. During the world cup, she and the Flyboard family raised $2,206 for “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Naples.” After her radical masectomy, she changed her lifestyle by eating well and exercising. That was when she found Flyboarding. “When I Flyboard, I feel like I am floating on a cloud of water. Like I am one with Dolphins. I am fearless!!!” She rode professionally and now encourages other riders to “Fly Pink.” Check out her Facebook page here

flyboard world cup naples florida zapata racing pro watercross breast cancer awareness

Flyboard Air Demonstration

Franky Zapata shocked everyone by demonstrating his new Flyboard Air. This is the first time that the Flyboard Air has been flown in the United States. He flew several meters above the water, racing past jet skis and waving to the crowd. Want to read more about the Flyboard Air? Check out our last blog post containing information on the personal aviation device and what it means for the future of transportation.

flyboard air flyboarding world cup 2016 naples florida hoverboard
flyboard air flyboarding world cup 2016 naples florida hoverboard
flyboard air flyboarding world cup 2016 naples florida hoverboard

Thank you Zapata Racing and Pro Watercross for putting on such an amazing event. We are so happy to be a part of this growing sport.

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