In it's American debut, the new Flyboard Water Jet-Pak thrilled spectators with five awe-inspiring demonstrations at the Lake Las Vegas Marina on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

Hundreds of spectators lined the water's edge in MonteLago Village, while others boarded the 80-foot La Contessa yacht moored in the adjacent marina to watch Flyboard creator and international world champion Jet Ski racer, Franky Zapata, of Zapata Racing in Le Rove, France, perform amazing aerial stunts and thrilling dives that is a mix of The Jetsons, Ironman and the exotic gadgets of 007 James Bond.

To preview his new Flyboard creation, Zapata soared as high as 25 feet atop two powerful streams of water created by the thrust of a tethered jet ski. Once aloft, he used only a hand-held throttle and two smaller water jets in a ski pole-like fashion to choreograph a stunning airborne show. High dives and backflips led to a series of fast dolphinlike in-and-out minidives that had onlookers cheering and applauding every time.

"The Flyboard combines all of my passions—the Jet Ski, snow skiing, snowboards and acrobatic dives," said Zapata. "Flyboard brings them all together in one."

A 6-minute video clip of Zapata riding the Flyboard on YouTube has gone viral and, to date, it has been viewed nearly 3 million times in just a little more than four weeks. The clip can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/FLYBOARD.

"Lake Las Vegas was pleased to host this unique and exciting event, which was made possible through the combined efforts of the Lake Las Vegas Marina and MonteLago Village," said James Coyne, principal for Atalon Management Group.

The Flyboard will be available in the United States starting in April. The initial estimated cost is about $4,500, and it will be distributed locally by Proshop Motorsports and Marine, 575 W. Lake Mead Parkway in Henderson. For more information, contact Dan Boyle at 564-8895.