Wales’ first permanent cable powered wakeboarding park opens this summer in Swansea’s SA1 development and is set to become a key attraction for water sports enthusiasts.
Wakeboarding – a variant of water skiing – is one of the fastest growing extreme water sports, with parks under development all over the world.
Work starts this week on GoWake – the new park which will open in time for the summer tourism season and operate from the 28 acre Prince of Wales Dock at the heart of the city’s SA1 development.
It has been supported by the Welsh Assembly Government through the Single Investment Fund and by Associated British Ports.
Described as a combination of waterskiing, snowboarding and surfing, wakeboard riders are traditionally towed behind purpose built motorboats, using the wake to create the lift needed to carry out a range of airborne manoeuvres and jumps.
Cable powered systems are a greener alternative and ideally suited for enclosed water. They are not weather dependent, can be operated all year round and suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced wake boarders.
The cable system at GoWake is designed specifically for wake sports and capable of speeds of up to 25mph, depending on the experience of the rider.
The portable, straight-line cable system is powered by a frequency regulated electric drive motor and riders are pulled by cable across the surface of the water and back to the starting point – a distance of approximately 175 metres. It is ideally suited for beginners enabling instructors to provide one to one tuition.
GoWake is a collaboration between two established water sports operators in Wales – Gower Kiteriders, run by Matt Barker-Smith in Swansea Bay and Big Blue Experience, based in Pembrokeshire.
The wake park is expected to be a key new attraction for the region and a significant addition to the wide range of water sports already available in Swansea Bay which includes, kayaking, surfing, kite surfing, stand up paddle boarding, yachting and jet skiing.
Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, said he was pleased the Assembly Government had been able to support two entrepreneurs expand their business operations in Wales.
“The fact the activity will be based in the Prince of Wales Dock, which is just a short walk from the city centre, supports our vision to develop SA1 into a thriving extension of the centre offering new social, leisure and business opportunities.
“There cannot be many places in the UK where an activity like this is on offer within a stone’s throw of a city centre – it makes it accessible to all and will, I am sure, also prove to be a popular spectator sport attracting visitors and residents into SA1.”
Matt Barker-Smith agreed it was a superb location while Swansea, with its two universities, offered a massive potential market.
GoWake will be operated on a year round basis and marketed towards children and outreach initiatives, as well as domestic and tourism related business.
He said they were keen to promote wakeboarding to school children of all ages as an exciting sport but also a great form of exercise and fitness.
“Active children become active adults, and by addressing the important issue of regular physical activity for good health we hope to invest in developing young peoples’ participation especially in outdoor sport.
“We are very keen to work closely with education authorities and community groups to support government initiatives for active children.
“The support from the Assembly Government and Associated British Ports has been invaluable and we hope the investment will bring direct and indirect benefits to the region.”
Mr Barker-Smith said the wakeboarding park would not only promote Wales as a viable alternative to Devon and Cornwall but would also endorse the region’s reputation as a fantastic holiday destination.
“Wakeboarding is a hugely popular sport – it’s still relatively new but interest is growing at a phenomenal rate and we are confident the Swansea facility will attract enthusiasts from far and wide. Wales is a superb venue for water sports with Swansea and Gower established centres for sailors and surfers and GoWake will hopefully become another important attraction.”
