Drone surfing - video

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

This drone business is getting silly now. Barely two years after we first heard of them drone users have got every angle covered, they feature in almost every surf clip, and now there's this.

Yeah we know there isn't a wave to be seen, we run it purely for Friday arvo novelty value, but it gets you wondering what will happen next. Drone towing into waves? 

You joke about it now...

Comments

tonybarber's picture
tonybarber's picture
tonybarber Friday, 9 Sep 2016 at 3:27pm

Great, just found my next challenge.

willywonty's picture
willywonty's picture
willywonty Friday, 9 Sep 2016 at 4:21pm

Hilarious and intriguing. Does he steer the drone himself? If they started "drone towing" does that mean your tow partner sits km's away on top of a cliff and whips you into 40footers? You'd wanna trust him, hope he knows the spot, have good eyes and be a good pilot....

simba's picture
simba's picture
simba Friday, 9 Sep 2016 at 4:40pm

Whoa,this looks like it could have a huge future,need a waterproof controller and a way of controlling it yourself and possibilities are endless......awesome,cant believe its got that much pulling power.

fitzroy-21's picture
fitzroy-21's picture
fitzroy-21 Friday, 9 Sep 2016 at 4:42pm

How long will the battery last with the continual power used to tow? It's not the same power used to hover that's for sure. Looks like a bit of fun on flat days.

mitchlorkin's picture
mitchlorkin's picture
mitchlorkin Friday, 9 Sep 2016 at 7:21pm

I'm done with 2016

Stok's picture
Stok's picture
Stok Saturday, 10 Sep 2016 at 1:41am

I think it might only be working because he's basically skimming along in really shallow water, surely drones aren't powerful enough to pull someone along in deep water?

dastasha's picture
dastasha's picture
dastasha Saturday, 10 Sep 2016 at 7:32am

Yea it cant pull him out of deep water. Doesn't take that much power to keep him planing hey?

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Saturday, 10 Sep 2016 at 12:48pm

'Freefly Drone surfing' .No free-flight or surfing here! Plain to see a strung-out puppet Domino delivery nob destroying anything good left in the world. Far out why bother protesting whiteshoebrigade riverfront golf-resorts . Fuck the crabs/worms/mangroves or entire river bank eco system and fuck sea of tranquillity for forests of nesting birds. Here comes super me...Prat outta hell -Outta my way pops! Lets all overlord several eco systems but engage in none,all in the name of fun! Drones are banned from Gold Coast surfing reserves for a reason. I had one swooping -then collect my forehead while defenceless upon the wave.Ouch-Hurt much..Yes! But from where and by which coward? Now drones/ dragging game fish thru surfline/wade zones.Another near took out our Surf rescue chopper.Noisy drones are even drowning out our National Park rainforest creeks and waterfalls. This is only the beginning as all these said moron drone operators never own up or caught and are still swooping. No there are no Drone experts of 10>20>30>40>50 year experience or any measure, there are only novice pro race geeks that scribe what's best for us. Weather forecast or even rescue us if you must! But ban drones from ALL Habitats please. They are invasive,destroy the peace and endangered species.Stop these parasitic drones now ! This is not cool or funny it should be unlawful. How much shit makes it shithouse? ...This much! Over it yesterday already... just leave me that bird and bee or a flower and tree thingy when yer done,lovely thanx. Hooroo!

thedude89's picture
thedude89's picture
thedude89 Sunday, 11 Sep 2016 at 2:57pm

battery drains quickly when towing a 180lbs guy