Mark Zuckerberg, the moody multi-billionaire, has kept his superyacht Launchpad and its support vessel Wingman waiting for over two months. The Meta boss never showed up to enjoy this luxurious duo at Tahiti, and now the vessels are heading back home. Their journey to Tahiti was no small feat, covering 4,800 miles from San Francisco, and it came at a high environmental cost, burning over 400,000 liters of diesel during the 12-day trip.
Now that the ships have departed Tahiti and are en route to Panama, they will undertake the same arduous voyage back to Zuckerberg. The dynamic duo will travel 5,100 miles over another 12 days and are currently waiting to clear the Panama Canal.
What’s amusing is that the world’s fourth-richest man, worth $215 billion and known for his love of wake surfing on freshwater lakes, did showcase his hydrofoiling skills on ocean waves, but not anywhere near his Feadship masterpiece or the Damen Yachting marvel.
Instead, the American businessman made the most of the waves in Hawaii, where he owns a property on the island of Kauai. Zuckerberg even shared a video on Facebook and Instagram, gliding effortlessly on a large, unbroken wave with the caption “Send it.” The avid 40-year-old surfer has steadily honed his foil-surfing skills, towing into a 20-foot wave and navigating it with remarkable ease. The MMA enthusiast caught the attention of Jeff Bezos’s helicopter-flying fiancée, Lauren Sanchez. The 55-year-old commented on the video, “I need to learn how to do this. Wow.” To which the youngest centibillionaire responded, “You’d love it. We’ll teach you!”
The tech tycoon’s packed schedule of social commitments and VVIP dinners leaves little time for his hobbies. However, Hawaii’s perfect waves and picturesque backdrop provide him with the ideal setting to pursue his fitness goals and surfing aspirations. Perhaps it’s time for his lavish vessels to join him there instead. Spanning 387 feet, Launchpad is a sleek blue stunner designed by Espen Øino International.
With 13 guest cabins, this floating palace boasts a cinema, beach club, beauty salon, gym, deck jacuzzi, swimming pool, and helipad, luxuries Zuckerberg and his family could indulge in when they’re not in the water. With Valentine’s Day and Priscilla Chan’s birthday approaching in February, Launchpad could serve as the perfect venue for intimate celebrations away from prying eyes.
