Attempt to cross english channel on hoverboard fails

A French inventor made an attempt on Thursday to cross the entire English Channel on a jet-propelled hoverboard of his own design.

Intending to travel 22 miles in 20 minutes, Franky Zapata only reached the halfway mark before falling into the water while attempting to refuel at a prepared platform. Modern jetpack designs of this type can only sustain a flight time of about ten minutes before refueling.

The hoverboard in question was powered by a backpack tank of kerosene, and had been used on previous occasions in a flyover of French President Macron during Bastille Day celebrations in Paris.

Zapata was rescued by French divers and is expected to make a recovery, with his wife reporting that he will make a second attempt in the future.

While such technologies are appealing to audiences for their futuristic nature, impracticalities in both flight time and general unwieldiness is likely to limit any potential military use.