Water sports enthusiasts, take heed: a Shanghai-based manufacturer launched a newer and less pricier model of personal hydro flight jetpack, X-Jetpack, to promote the fashionable fringe sport. After strapping on a padded harness-and-saddle combo that’s connected to a jet ski by a 16-meter long hose, the rider can expect to be propelled by at least 150 horsepower duo water streams to hold the rider up as high as 40 feet in the air (about 12.2 meters).
The idea of water jetpacking is actually not a brand new invention. As early as in 2009, another U.S. manufacturer has developed the technology and, later in 2011, licensed it to a German company to produced to market the official product, Jetlev-Flyer. However, with a listed price as high as around US$100,000 at the time, it didn’t seem possible to become a beach vacation pastime for common players any time soon.
The X-Jetpack designers claim that the new model has the edge of better water propulsion system and safer, more comfortable seating equipment; most importantly, it comes in a relatively more affordable package than its prior competitors. However, since the regular MSRP of X-Jetpacks in the Americas is still listed at US$9,499, such luxurious experience probably isn’t going on your gift list in the near future.