By David Ponce
This is not a new product, but we just now came across it. It’s called the Abyss Board and we think that’s a terrible name, but what it does is kind of interesting. The board features two side-mounted rotating fins with an opening for your forearms and hands. You tie the board to the back of a boat with some length of rope and tell your driver not to exceed 10 mph (16 km/h). You then dive. The fins allow you to navigate the underwater world with relative ease as the forward momentum and substantial drag of water will make them act like wings. The manufacturer describes the feeling as one of personal flight:
Command the board to dive beneath the surface, perform barrel rolls, fly upside-down, carve and return to the surface with total control. Imagine fighter jet maneuvers combined with underwater exploration.
Well… we’re not going to kid anyone. It does sound like some bit of fun, but not the $395 kind of fun the company hopes we’ll dish out.
Hit the jump for a video of the board in action and links.
[ Product Page ] VIA [ Gizmag ]
Interesting product. Too bad it has such a terrible, nearly-unwatchable video
I have thought about making one of these in the past, however safety was always a concern. The board needs a lanyard kill switch attached to it, so that if there is trouble, an alarm will sound in the boat.
Well… you could always let go of the board, no?