25 April 2013 10:01 Guy.Noronha
A brilliant German innovation (or is it invention?) now gives the lie to Deerfield’s Quiet Waters Park. With the introduction of the cable water-skiing system - there is a large population of water sports enthusiasts who show up every day – it’s not so quiet anymore!
The “cable park” of South Florida just outside the Festival Skate Park is the longest standing cable way in the US. It is equipped with an overhead cable with several pulleys and multiple attachment points that attach to the ski ropes. The cables are suspended from a series of towers around the course. The course runs for half a mile.
Skiers, water boarders, tricksters or riders are pulled by the cables without the need for a boat. The brilliant thing about the cable system is that there are no choppy waters caused by the wake of a towing boat. This means that for a beginner and a learner it is easier to learn.
You can really go to town with the many styles and disciplines available such as trick skis, wakeboarding, wakeskating, kneeboarding and waterskiing. The sport(s) has many grades, levels insider terms and jargon. Just so that you won’t be at a loss here are a couple of the more commonly used terms.
“Kickers” refers to the obstacles and hurdles placed around the course to help the veterans and experts to do jumps, grabs, flips and rotations. Another one is “sliders.” This is for the hotshot advanced riders who want to go beyond the regular challenges. The Ski Rixen course offers 4 kickers and 5 sliders. The course runs counter clockwise.
The Ski Rixen course is owned and operated by wakeboard and waterskiing professionals. The course has produced many of the current crops of champions in the world.
Even if you are not an aspiring champion or professional, the cable water skiing system at Ski Rixen is a brilliant way to spend the day in and out the water in sunny Florida. Everyone can have a great time either just watching or skating over the water. It’s a superb experience.
Please note that the minimum age to go water skiing is 12 and that those under 18 years of age must have a release of liability (waiver) form notarised and signed by their parents.
Image credit: bobdole369