FlowRider video #1.
FlowRider video #2.
A few days ago, we chatted with another passenger, also a Tom, in the Diamond Club lounge while we were preparing the day’s post. In speaking with Tom, he shared that he belongs to a group of men who meet on sea days from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm to participate in one of the ship’s most exciting activities, the FlowRider.
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| Eric, Darrell and Paul, members of the FlowRider Society determined to surf on a windy and cold day at sea. Tom was finished for the day and thus, I missed his photo. |
Fascinated that men over 40 had become avid and expert FlowRider participants, an activity definitely geared toward youth and/or the fit and coordinated sports enthusiast, we were thrilled to prepare a story on these FlowRider adventurers.
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| It’s imperative to stay within the white Royal Caribbean logo on the blue platform to avoid risk of injury from hitting the sides. |
“Perhaps no onboard activity is as synonymous with Royal Caribbean as the surf simulator known as the FlowRider.
When Royal Caribbean started adding FlowRiders to its cruise ships, it generated a lot of buzz and ever since then, the company has been working to add FlowRiders to more and more ships in its fleet.
If you want to give surfing a shot on your next cruise, here is what you need to know about this popular surf simulator. (Continued below).
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| I wish I could take credit for this photo of FlowRider Tom, taken by a professional photographer aboard Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas. What a fabulous shot of Tom in his mastery of this difficult and challenging sport! |
The FlowRider is a simulator that sends water a very high speed across a small area that mimics what it is like to surf on the ocean.
FlowRiders were first created as a business on land and have partnered with Royal Caribbean to offer guests cruising the chance to try it out there. The FlowRider supports two surfing styles: stand up traditional surfing and boogie boarding.
Royal Caribbean has added FlowRiders to more of its ships recently and here is the list of ships that offer a FlowRider:
- Freedom of the Seas
- Liberty of the Seas
- Independence of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas (two FlowRiders)
- Allure of the Seas (two FlowRiders)
- Harmony of the Seas (two FlowRiders)
- Quantum of the Seas
- Anthem of the Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
- Navigator of the Seas
- Voyager of the Seas
- Explorer of the Seas
- Adventure of the Seas
Guests participating in the FlowRider, for example, must be at least 52″/132 cm tall to use the bodyboard and 58″/147 cm tall to use the flowboard. Absolutely no footwear allowed, no goggles and no go-pro cams are allowed.”
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| Paul was on-a-roll. |
Use of the fluoride is included in the cruise fare, although there are additional charges for personalized training. However, staff is available at no charge to assist the passenger in getting started and in becoming familiar with safety procedures. More of the details of this popular activity may be found at the above link.
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| Every so often the surfer will restart from the side of the FlowRider. |
As a result of the enthusiasm over being RC FlowRider participants, there’s even a Facebook page named Royal Caribbean FlowRider Society, which may be found at this link. Who knew?
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| Paul back at it again. |
After chatting with passenger Tom, he suggested we join their group to watch one of his group activities on this particular ship, Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas. From that, I was excited to take photos and videos we could share with our worldwide readers.
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| A good rider such as these has the option to maneuver their way back to the top based on the pressure placed on their feet on the board. |
Had it not been so bitter cold, I’d have stayed outside longer to chat with the group, but I was only wearing a hooded sweatshirt and workout clothes and staying longer wasn’t an option.
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Even with the short length of the FlowRider, an experienced surfer can last on the surf for an extended period.
We commend the brave FlowRiders for their acquired skill and persistence in mastering what appears to be a difficult sport requiring considerable coordination, balance and fitness, especially when the participants aren’t necessarily youngsters.
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| Eric had an excellent run staying on his feet for quite some time. |
In no time at all I dashed back indoors anxious to share what I’d witnessed with my Tom about these athletic “surfers” on Royal Caribbean’s FlowRider. He was glad he’d stayed indoors in the warm comfort of our cabin.
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| Inevitably, each rider takes a stumble from time to time. |
Hmm… In four days we’ll be boarding the ship to Alaska. I wonder what the weather will be like while we’re there…
Happy day to all our worldwide readers. Thanks to each and every one of YOU who’ve followed along with us on this lengthy cruise!
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Photo from one year ago today, May 13, 2016:
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| We did a double take in Bali when we saw these two young guys walking their inner tube type boats along the beach. Later, we saw them fishing from these tiny watercraft. For more details, please click here. |