Wannabe superheroes grounded by their grouchy neighbours

02 September 2014 - 02:07 By ©The Daily Telegraph
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Kobus Sandenbergh rides a flyboard on North End Lake, Port Elizabeth, at the weekend. A flyboard is a water jetpack attached to a propulsion craft. It was invented by Frenchman Franky Zapata in 2011
Kobus Sandenbergh rides a flyboard on North End Lake, Port Elizabeth, at the weekend. A flyboard is a water jetpack attached to a propulsion craft. It was invented by Frenchman Franky Zapata in 2011

Half a century after James Bond shot skywards wearing a jetpack in Thunderball, council officials in California are grounding users of the devices as a menace to health and safety.

In the genteel retreat of Newport Beach harbour, long a favourite of Hollywood types, the popularity of the devices has exploded, prompting a six-month moratorium on their use as a prelude to an outright ban.

Residents of the waterfront homes, and millionaire yacht owners, had watched in awe as jetpacks took off around them but now see them as a nuisance.

The contraptions work by releasing explosive jets of water, propelling users at almost 50km/h and enabling tricks such as walking on water.

"It was cute for the first few weeks but now it's out of control," resident George Farah told a council meeting.

Customers pay $179 (R1910) for the chance to soar like Superman, with everyone from Rob Lowe, the actor, to contestants on Next Top Model having a go. One couple got married in mid-air.

Chris Miller, Newport Beach's harbour resources manager, said the jetpacks were a threat to "peace, health and safety". The council has barred private owners of jetpacks, which sell for $10000.

Dean O'Malley, owner of Jetpack America, said the objections were overblown. He said jetpacks were performing a service - fulfilling people's superhero fantasies.

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