On the Jetboard in Port Calanova: Between Prone Position and Euphoria

On the Jetboard in Port Calanova: Between Prone Position and Euphoria

It was one of those Mallorcan mornings when the air is still soft and the heat only timidly approaches the asphalt. At 9:30 I stood on the quay in Agapi Boat Club in Port Calanova, the seagulls screeched, a boat purred in the distance, and the scent of saltwater mixed with the faint oily smell of engines. Host Sven Hamelmann waved calmly from the quay — the boards were ready: an Awake for some, the new Rävic Explore for others.

"It's simple" — and yet respect

The instructor made the typical confident gesture with her finger. She lay flat on the board, the remote on her wrist, and shot off like an oiled flash. First prone, then on the knees, and finally upright — all in one breath, so cinematic that you briefly doubt whether there was a cut. The truth: in practice it bumps, sprays and someone always laughs.

Safety equipment is solid. The foot cuff holds the kill switch — pull the connection and the board stops immediately. And yes, these things can reach up to 40 km/h. Fast enough to wake your adrenaline. Slow enough to enjoy it with a bit of respect.

My small moment of failure

When it was my turn, my elegance had disappeared. One too-bold twist of the throttle, the attempt to stand turned into a backward flip, and I landed with a loud splash in the water. The board slid two metres further, as if it had run over my pride. Laughter on the quay, a friendly "no pasa nada" from Sven that sounded like a little magic word.

Plan B: stay lying down. I stretched my arms, let my legs dangle and held the remote tight. And suddenly there was that feeling: the board pulled, slid across the bay, spray at the sides, a narrow tunnel view of the harbour. No pose for Instagram, but a genuine grin on my face. Sometimes the unspectacular way is the most direct route to joy.

Prone is not failure

Many think only those who stand upright have fun. Wrong. In prone you have control, speed and relaxed shoulders. The instructors advise: chest up, shoulders loose, breathe. And suddenly the uncertain search for position turns into a controlled flight over blue water. Spectators on the quay giggled, clapped, an older couple filmed, Sven sipped his coffee — the little morning theatre, much like With Wind, Waves and an Espresso from the Bilge: A Sunday with a Skipper from Cala d'Or.

Practical tips for the trial lesson

If you go, keep a few things in mind: mornings the wind is usually milder, as described in Sunny Summer Day in Cala Rajada: Harbor Air, Seagull Song and a Dip in the Sea, so it's ideal for beginners. Don't forget sunscreen, better to wear a lycra or a short wetsuit, and sturdy sandals for the quay. And very important: bring patience. The first try is rarely the most beautiful. Accept Plan B. Often lying down is the start of a real sense of speed.

Why the small risk is worth it

Jetboarding in Port Calanova is not an act of reckless extremity; it's an invitation to rediscover the coast — without a long drive, without much effort. You don't stand up like a pro right away, but you glide. And that gliding, on a mild morning, with the smell of coffee and sea, is enough. Port Calanova gained three new fans that day — me included.

For anyone who wants to trade a piece of everyday life for salty air and a little thrill: try it. It pricks briefly in the thigh, then calms the heart later. And when you come back to land, you'll have something to tell that feels better than a perfect photo: a real experience.