Cable parks are a natural fit for water sports enthusiasts who don't live within an easy driving distance of a lake that permits motor boating and has a large enough central expanse to support long, relatively straight tows. A 2-hour drive to that resort lake up north, motorboat in tow, represents a daylong effort reserved for weekends. In contrast, a quick 30-minute drive (sans towing) to the wakeboard park just outside of town can be a refreshing morning ride before your afternoon shift, almost any day of the week.
Cable parks allow everyone, from beginners to professional level enthusiasts, to get in on the action with relative ease and a low financial impact. Newcomers can rent wakeboards from the local shop until they've reached the level of sophistication that demands a board style all their own. Bindings, helmets, gloves, life vests can all be rented or purchased without a massive investment. All anyone needs to get started is an adventurous spirit (and a swimsuit)!
Motorboats used for towing in traditional water skiing or wakeboarding are expensive to purchase, register and maintain. Slips for wet parking between holiday weekends or trailers to haul the boat home can represent some hefty budget loads. Then, relying on a group of buddies to pilot your boat while you practice your tricks can be problematic - what happens when your grand plans for a long weekend getaway get scrapped because your friend has to work overtime? Or if you're taking turns, how frustrating is it to watch them perfect that one move that you know you could master if only you didn't have to share all your water time?
Cable sports eliminate a lot of that frustration with their inherently efficient operation. There's no waiting for a boat to get prepped and launched, and there's no long wait while everyone else in the party gets a turn on the water. If you fall while riding the cable, it's just a short swim to shore with a quick walk back to the starting dock, and you can be riding again in minutes. That's a positive experience for beginners and a distinct advantage for more advanced riders who want to work on intricate tricks.
Cable parks also present a controlled environment, eliminating many of the dangers inherent to an open lake. There's no other boat or jet ski traffic that can become a hazard if you wipe out or release the cable. The water is not exceptionally deep, and it is generally clear enough to see to the bottom in the unlikely case of an injury requiring rescue. At well-managed venues, you can also expect to see clean, filtered water, a distinct advantage when many popular swimming and boating lakes are closed due to dangerous bacteria, parasites, and even deadly amoebas.
Cable parks offer convenience, affordability, and a generally more enjoyable experience than traditional setups. In place of the roar of massive, gasoline-powered boats hums the whisper of an electric cable system. When it's your turn to ride, your friends can sit back and enjoy the swish and splash of cool water and classic jams, broken only by their appreciative cheers when you pull off a flawless tantrum to blind!
