Brighton Boating Lagoon Watersports Jet Ski Watersports: Range Rover Evoque Tour
As part of the Range Rover Evoque Hybrid tour, our journey led us to the vibrant coastal town of Brighton, where we embarked on an exhilarating jet ski safari with Brighton Boating Lagoon Watersports.
Our drive to Brighton Marina was a scenic adventure through picturesque countryside roads, culminating in a delightful journey along the coastal route, offering breathtaking vistas of the pristine white chalk cliffs overlooking the viridescent sea.
The entrance to the marina is a testament to its 1970s origins, featuring a massive structure of brutalist concrete, which seamlessly transitioned into a charming maze of gangplanks extending over the dark green waters.
Nestled amidst a labyrinth of yachts and adjacent to the Prezzo Italian restaurant, we navigated through various metal gates to arrive at a rustic wooden surf shack that appeared to have been conjured out of a Caribbean bay.
Brighton Boating (Lagoon Watersports) boasted an impressive fleet consisting of three RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) and three Sea-Doo jet skis, all of them GT models. Here, we met Aneira, Simon, Matt, and Jude, all seasoned sailing experts, and proceeded to don our wetsuits in anticipation of the adventure ahead.
From the moment my colleague Ben and I encountered our hosts, it was evident that this safari would be extraordinary. The key to any memorable experience lies in the people who facilitate it, and they embody the essence of surf culture. They exuded warmth, were engaging conversationalists, and genuinely shared their passion for the sea with us.
Our hosts provided a thorough briefing on the Sea-Doo jet skis, explaining safety features and regulations clearly and efficiently. These state-of-the-art Sea-Doos boasted impressive acceleration, ensured a comfortable ride, and featured water brakes, making them exceptionally easy to control.
Ben and I took a jet ski each and were escorted out of the marina by Simon and Matt in the RIB. Our safari had officially commenced!
Our initial route took us eastward for a few miles, affording us views of the magnificent white cliffs and allowing us to acclimate to the jet skis’ exhilarating acceleration. The sea was remarkably calm, a rarity for the southern coast of England, allowing us to open up the Sea-Doos and relish the thrill of leaping over the gentle waves. Even with a modest swell, we found ourselves soaring one or two feet into the air.
Despite being in September, the weather was uncharacteristically warm at 20°C, with glorious sunshine and a complete absence of wind. This made for ideal conditions, as wetsuits tend to get warm, and one could comfortably enjoy this experience even in 10°C weather. I playfully spun in circles to beat the heat, letting the sea spray cool me down.
A scattering of white clouds in the sky added depth to the scenery, and Matt captured numerous breathtaking images on my GoPro, ensuring that we’d have lasting mementoes of this remarkable safari.
We then headed west, leaping and bounding over the waves past Brighton to the iconic West Pier. This architectural marvel, now a marvellous gothic steampunk wreck of twisted metal supports, is somewhat reminiscent of a diminutive Eiffel Tower.
Designed by Eugenius Birch (don’t you love the name?) it was opened in 1866. It has been subject to numerous fires and is gradually falling into the sea. Fascinatingly enough, a Royal Air Force Hawker Typhoon crashed into it in 1944, before landing on the beach. The pilot miraculously escaped with minor head injuries.
The West Pier, in its current state of neglect, decay, and deliberate arson, held a striking and eerie beauty of its own—a testament to the passage of time and the elements. We took the opportunity to capture more photographs of the beautifully illuminated coastline, our jet skis, and the surrounding scenery.
As we made our return journey to the marina, it was clear that Ben had achieved the top speed on his Sea-Doo, surpassing me by a substantial margin. These machines proved to be fast and incredibly stable on the water.
Having jet skied in various locations around the world, from Spain to the Maldives, we could confidently declare that this safari ranked among the best. It was the impeccable guidance and companionship of Simon and Matt that made it such a great experience.
We parked up back at the shack and watched in admiration as the crew laid out a sumptuous healthy lunch of fresh Italian avocados, tomatoes, bread and vegetables, then spoiled it by adding a huge variety of cakes and desserts. All savoured at a picnic table overlooking the tranquil waters of the marina. Unfortunately, we had to head back for the next leg of our journey.
They have a little slice of heaven down there. We’ll be back.
For more information about Brighton Boating Lagoon Watersports, visit their website: https://www.lagoon.co.uk/brighton-marina-waterspo…
