Indoor surfing
If you've ever tried surfing or skateboarding or wake boarding you'll know that they are all exhilerating, fun sports. So would the experience of riding the waves in the UK's first custom-built FlowHouse be three times as thrilling? Reporter KEELEY KNOWLES donned a wetsuit and went to find out.
Before I got into my wetsuit, I was told - it’s not a case of ‘if’ you fall off but ‘when’. That ‘when’ was almost immediately I’d got myself on the board and into the water. And many more times after that.
After being told it didn't involve heights, I agreed to try out FlowHouse – the UK’s first indoor surf spot and Bodyflight’s newest attraction.
The first bit was easy. Laid back yet professional instructors Brett Anthony and Lee Saunders took us through the safety video, taught us the basics for the double Flow Rider and fixed us up with that all important wet suit.
Then came the hard part. As they turned the water on, I was taken aback by how fast it flowed. When I managed to get in, gripped to my trusty board, it was a whole different ball game but a lot more fun. We started out simple and I learned how to move from side to side and up and down and even got my knees up onto the board with the encouragement of Brett and Lee. After a few goes and several trips up to the top (when you go... boy do you go) my confidence was building and I was ready to learn a few tricks of the waves. My favourite but hardest to master was the superman which involves pushing your board in front of you, holding your arms and shoulders out of the water (in a heroic fashion) and then grabbing your board back as it comes towards you again.
I began feeling pretty chuffed with myself – that was until I saw Fabian Raidel (Bodyflight World Challenge winner and something similar on the Flow Rider). “He’s been on it a lot” said a reassuring Lee and it certainly showed. Watching how he controlled the board perfectly was fascinating and an insight into the level you could eventually get up to.
So it was my turn to have a go and show Fabian my moves. Well, for a few seconds anyway. Getting on the surf board is pretty straightforward but it’s the staying there part that I struggled with. However, the instructors were very patient and helpfully pointed out where I was going wrong. As the front of the board was twisting to the side I wasn't keeping my feet straight and kept coming off. It was a great feeling though, for that split moment when I was standing up, without any help.
One of the guys joked that Fabian was addicted to the Flow Rider and by the end of our taster session I could see why. In that short space of time I felt I had learned a lot and progressed from somebody who had only ever done anything vaguely similar by snowboarding on the Wii to, well, a bit of a surfer gal actually (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it).
As well as the actual ride, FlowHouse is about the whole experience. With a bar and grill, Animal shop and TV screens, it offers a unique day out for friends, families and even complete beginners like me. I’ll definitely be going back for more – just as soon as the bruises go down.
From beginner to Pro Rider
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