Fukuoka now has Flyboard, a marine sport that uses water jetpack to propel riders into the air. Fukuoka native Yusuke Shogamoto was working as a marine sports instructor in Okinawa when he first saw a Flyboard. “I knew this would catch on, so I decided to make another go of it back in Fukuoka,” said Shogamoto, a former carpenter whose first business venture here fell through. The Flyboard, which was invented in France in 2011, is essentially a water jetpack that attaches to a jet ski’s water outtake valve to propel its rider up to 5m into the air. Shogamoto’s shop, Aqua Tail, opened in Nokonoshima this April. A beginner’s course costs ¥6,000 and requires a reservation. Tel: 080-8579-1250. Hours: 9:00~16:30. Closed: Irregularly. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 6/16, Official FB: https://www.facebook.com/aquatail
