Photos: Jason Belsky
The plan seemed simple enough: wakesurf in the East River, being pulled by a drone. It was an ambitious idea—equal parts thrilling and unconventional. When my friend Roi asked if I knew someone with a boat and a couple of jet skis to help his friend, none other than Casey Neistat, to pull this off, I didn’t hesitate. My friend Rich had all those things… So… We were all in. What could possibly go wrong?
Our plan required a support boat, a couple of jet skis, and a crew to capture the spectacle on film. We gathered the necessary gear and launched everything from the World’s Fair Marina in Flushing. The journey began smoothly as we made our way around Brooklyn, heading for the East River. Our designated meeting point? The iconic Domino Park, a picturesque backdrop for such a bold endeavor.
Of course, things rarely go as planned when you’re chasing a wild idea. Despite our meticulous preparation, the day unraveled quickly. The weather turned against us, morphing from manageable to downright uncooperative. The boat, the cornerstone of our operation, started having issues, and it became clear that our grand plan wasn’t going to happen. Disappointment hung heavy in the air, but safety had to come first.
As we towed ourselves back to the marina using one of the jet skis, we found a silver lining in the unexpected downtime. The East River, often overlooked in its gritty, industrial beauty, offered a unique perspective. The skyline shimmered against the water, and we soaked in the sights as we made our slow return. It wasn’t the adrenaline-filled adventure we’d hoped for, but the experience was still unforgettable.
Sometimes, the story isn’t about what goes right but how you handle what goes wrong. While the day didn’t go as planned, it gave us a new appreciation for the process, the people, and the unpredictable nature of chasing audacious dreams.
