It’s the week of the Cannes Yachting Festival, and, whilst the electric pulse of innovation ripples through the air, whilst there are scores of brand-new, shining-bright yachts all lined-up and immaculately presented; whilst you can walk through the gate and see nothing but boats, masts, sails and sea all around, my attention has turned to the water toys.
Seeing all these newly-released yachts and catamarans truly is an experience, however, it gets to the point where all these boats begin to melt into one big entity; the stunning-white of the hull, the neutral, contemporary trim of the interior, the comfortable, open aft-deck… This is when you start to notice the smaller things; the bold splashes of colour that stand out amongst the avalanche of white tents and boats; the water toys.
When it comes to chartering a superyacht, in my opinion, the actual yacht itself is only half of the decision. That’s not to say it’s not important, however: this boat will be your home for the next week or so, so it has to be up to standard! Yet, to me, the purpose of chartering a yacht is not only to enjoy an incomparably luxurious experience, but it’s also make the most of the complete freedom and privacy that comes with being on open water- and how can you do that if you haven’t got a good selection of toys with which to stretch your legs on the high seas?
Nowadays, in a world of innovation and original thought, there seems to be an endless supply of imagination when it comes to the invention of toys and tenders to accompany your superyacht; with such a wide range of choice, and even more on the horizon, it’s hard to decide which aspects to even begin considering for your charter! One thing is for sure, though: whether you are with family or friends, with parents or young children, or maybe with clients and potential buyers; whatever the occasion, you will definitely want some water toys to go with your charter!
To some people, yacht-toys may seem a bit like overkill: when you take into consideration the size of the yacht, the completely bespoke interiors and luxuries one can only imagine in a top-star hotel, it’s understandable why some people don’t see the importance of such amenities. However, from some perspectives, the addition of yacht toys such as jet skis, waterskis and inflatables is a total necessity; it provides you with the opportunity to try new things, explore different places, and maybe even discover a new, adventurous side to your personality. For families, water toys can be the perfect option for tiring out the kids and getting some well-needed rest. They are also, however, the perfect family-bonding opportunity; just imagine the laughter, jokes and memories that accompany your first time trying to ski on water; or maybe getting some family competition stirred-up in the form of jet ski racing, or even shouting words of encouragement to whomever is holding on for dear life, being pulled at top speed on the back of a donut!
I have done some research and compiled a list of my favourite water toys, ranging from the universally popular ones to the most innovative:
The Sub-Wing began its story as a piece of driftwood and a waterski rope in 2010. Simon Sivertsen formulated the concept of mimicking flying underwater, and graduated from a plank of wood to two chopping boards tied to a pole and then, finally, after much careful crafting and calculation, to the professional piece-of-kit we see today.
The usability of the Sub-Wing is incredibly simple, with a range of sizes to suit different ages, the Sub-Wing is a piece of equipment that won’t take long to work out – hold on to both wings and twist forward or back to go up, down or barrel-roll – and, once you’ve got the hang of it, it can be one of the most rewarding, adrenaline-fuelled water activities!
The Seabreacher looks like it was taken straight out of an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie (I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s where the idea came from); a Frankenstein’s combination of, well, submarine missile, F1 fighter jet and- depending on which model you go for- either an orca whale, dolphin or shark.
For a taste of the tranquil life of dolphins, or the predatory, high-octane life of sharks, the Seabreacher is the only vessel that can provide it! Dive down to 5 feet, and then burst through the surface in true Jaws-fashion at speeds of up to 60mph! Step up your game by practicing the various stunts that are possible, such as barrel-rolling or launching out of the water.
These two inflatable amenities really speak for themselves in the world of water toys; who could say no to the thrill of sliding from the Flybridge of your yacht charter and being greeted by the refreshingly cool, clear waters of the Mediterranean or Caribbean? Perfect for every member of the family-including your dog- the yacht water slide is a welcome addition to the yachting world.
The Yacht Blob, however, is for those who seek more of a thrill than the slide can provide. Imagine a giant, inflatable…blob…floating next to your yacht. This blob has been designed in a way as to quench the thirst of the adrenaline junkies by literally launching them through the air. They will sit on one end of the blob, and a couple of other people will jump from the highest (and safest) point of their yacht, landing on the other end of the blob. The combined weight and force of the two people will cause the one at the other end to be launched away from the boat through the air and landing safely in the sea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX90kaP1H2Y
The Seabob has become a well-established amenity in yacht charters. This water toy could be likened to an underwater jet-pack, but you will have to hold on tight as it pulls you through the water!
The Seabob is a toy for confident swimmers, reaching speeds of up to 14km/h under water. Imagine being in the middle of a pod of dolphins or turtles, matching their pace as they race through the open water- that is the experience that a Seabob will allow you to achieve!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX2vkWa8XbQ
How could it be a water toys blog if it didn’t feature the Jetlev water jetpack? Every time I see one of these it reminds me of the imaginatively-absurd technology one sees in James Bond- but this is real!
This water-propelled jet-pack has taken the world of water toys by storm; a worthy opponent to parasailing, I’m 100% positive it’s one of those activities that looks easy until you actually attempt it yourself.
If you are interested in trying out these different toys, one of our charter brokers will be more than happy to discuss with you the best charter to suit your interests- just drop us a line, and we’ll be sure to get back to you!