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Can You Actually Ride A Rocket Powered Surfboard? | MythBusters
The Mythbusters tackle the legend of the rocket-powered surfboard, attempting to recreate a 20 mph, 30-second ride across a flat lake using various rocket configurations.
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The allure of surfing is undeniable, but what if you live far from the ocean, where waves are a distant dream? The Mythbusters dive into a tale of ingenuity born from frustration: a California surfer, transplanted to the Midwest, decides to conquer the wave-less lakes by strapping a rocket to his surfboard. The myth claims this contraption could propel a rider at 20 miles per hour for a thrilling 30 seconds across a flat lake. The team sets out to determine if this audacious feat is a radical reality or a dunking disaster.
The Initial Blast: One Big Rocket
The first attempt at recreating the rocket-powered surfboard involves a single, powerful K-motor rocket, known for its ability to launch a person 25 feet into the air. The team constructs a robust stand for the rocket and attaches it to a surfboard, with Buster, their trusty crash test dummy, as the inaugural rider. To ensure a stable launch, a 20-foot guide rail is built, designed to keep the surfboard upright during the initial thrust. The chosen location is Quarry Lakes, a flat, wave-less body of water perfect for testing the myth's premise of surfing without natural waves.
Keep reading in The Digest
The full 4-minute article, 6 more sections, and every new episode from MythBusters and the creators you follow.
- A Gymnastic Display: Buster's First Flight
- Rethinking the Thrust: Lowering the Center of Gravity
- The Lay-Down Launch: A Step in the Right Direction
- The Multi-Rocket Solution: A Phased Approach
- Controlled Chaos: Two-Stage Rocket Test
- Tory's Wild Ride: The Rocket Surfer Takes Flight
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