French Inventor Is First to Cross English Channel Using a Hoverboard It wasn't an uninterrupted flight, but it was still historic.

By Jon Fingas Aug 5, 2019

This story originally appeared on Engadget

It took a second try, but Franky Zapata has become the first to cross the English Channel using a hoverboard. The French inventor used his jet-powered Flyboard Air to travel the 22 miles from France to England in 22 minutes, briefly landing on a boat to replace his kerosene-filled backpack. The board wasn't slow, either -- Zapata said he reached speeds up to 106 mph during his journey.

The first attempt in late July literally fell short after Zapata missed the boat platform by a "few centimeters." Zapata relied on a larger boat and platform to ensure this latest attempt would work without a hitch.

This is certainly a publicity grab for Zapata's company, Z-Air, but it could also open doors for the technology in other areas. The French military is already backing the technology as a potential logistical option or even as an attack platform. A successful long-distance trip like this could give it extra confidence in the technology, even if it does highlight the current hoverboard's limitations.

#yeswedid la seconde #tentative aura été la bonne. Traversée de la manche réussie #jobdone. Merci à tous #familyaffair #france #NeverGiveUp #flyboardair #entrepreneurs #louisbleriot #frencharmy pic.twitter.com/5ToPopHSxj
— Franky Zapata (@frankyzapata) August 4, 2019

Jon Fingas

Jon Fingas is an associate editor at Engadget.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Most Popular

See all

Side Hustle

They Started a Side Hustle Producing an 'Obvious' Food Item. It Hit $300,000 Monthly Revenue Fast — On Track for Over $20 Million in 2025.

When Jason Rosenbaum and Hailey Swartz couldn't find the product they wanted to see on grocery store shelves, they took matters into their own hands.

By Amanda Breen

Business News

2 Major Career Companies Are Laying Off 1,300 Employees: 'AI Is Changing the World'

The job cuts at Indeed and Glassdoor mainly impact U.S. roles on teams such as research and development.

By Sherin Shibu

Growing a Business

How The NBPA and a Top African University Are Investing in Africa's Future — One Startup at a Time

One Court Africa hosted NBA players at UM6P in Marrakech for a four-day program focused on social entrepreneurship and sustainable business, which included mentoring six African startups and awarding $160K in grants through its Innovation Challenge.

By Leo Zevin

Franchise

4 Reasons Why Local Entrepreneurship Is the Secret Weapon of Great Franchises

Community-driven leaders not only strengthen customer relationships but also innovate and elevate the brand, proving that the best franchises are built on the foundation of trust, collaboration and local intuition.

By Jeff Helfgott