Outsize plaything or wave-riding revolution? Time Out takes on the all-powerful jet-ski.

Nothing heralds summer in Lebanon more than the distant, insistent buzz of the jet-skis zooming around the bays and beaches. ‘Dangerous!’ screeches my gutless side, as they swoosh uncomfortably close by the swimmers.

‘Outrageous!’ hisses my feminist side, as lecherous boys chase the beach’s best bikinis or make their unfortunate girlfriend passengers squeal. But my big kid side just jumps up and down squeaking ‘I want to play! I want to play!’ Am I glad I did? Or did the summer’s ultimate in wave-riding entertainment fail to deliver? The jet-ski manager at the Eddé Sands resort explained the rules. Stay out beyond the boats, stay within sight, stay away from other jet-skiers, and avoid any plastic debris floating around because it might clog up the engine.

 Lovely. But once I’d boarded the 750cc engine machine, been introduced to its childlikecontrols (stop, start, accelerate), and chugged my way out to the safe area, the ocean opened up and the simple joys of speed plus water plus the coast of Lebanon unfolding beside me took over. Top speeds of 70kmph made breasting the waves a bit bumpy, but the squeals were of delight (though I can’t speak for my hapless passenger). There is a lot to be said for being able to point your craft at the horizon and hit ‘Go fast. Go faster!’ Even a pair of teenage boys out for a jet-ski based flirt getting in the way didn’t put me off – I simply ploughed left with a watery flounce and zoomed happily away. It was awesome. But fifteen minutes of play well spent and I was happy enough to trundle back in. A short hit of fun, but I’d need more space to explore and more challenge than the barrier-less ocean to get addicted. Still, all those boys on the prowl probably never had coastal exploration on their minds anyway. It’s big, it’s fun, it’s for the kid inside you. Let the jet-ski rule unchallenged.

Ellen Hardy Jet-skiing at Eddé Sands, $30-$50 per 15 minutes, for different models.