A Vision Network Comment On Water-Ski And Wakeboard Park Planned For Cardiff City Centre

May 1, 2012 - PRLog -- A Vision Network were excited to hear today about a water-ski and wakeboard park which will open in Cardiff city centre under new plans. The 735-metre-long cable-tow water ski system is being planned for East Bute Dock, next to the Atlantic Wharf housing development in Butetown. The 153-year-old dock, once at the heart of South Wales’ industrial revolution, is currently only occasionally used for events such as dragon boat racing. Cardiff Bay Wakeboarding this week submitted a planning application to Cardiff council. If the plans are approved, operations director Gareth Stevenson hopes the facility will open next March.

“It would be a really great addition to the already exciting city centre,” said our source at A Vision Network, “It would be great for tourism, as well as just being a lot of fun for the local residents.”

Mr Stevenson, a 41-year-old wakeboarding enthusiast from Rhiwbina, said it would be the first water-ski park in the world to be located in a city centre. He said accessibility, nearby transport links and shelter from the wind made it the ideal location. Tests of the water also showed it was good quality, he added.

“Being in the city centre people will be able to turn-up in whatever they are wearing, hire the equipment, have a session and then go on with their day,” Mr Stevenson said, “We will be able to run nine people at one time and it’s far cheaper and more accessible than skiing behind a boat. Anybody can have a go, as long as you have the strength to hold onto the cable.”

The idea is that skiers will be taken on an exhilarating three-lap ride of the circuit at 18 miles per hour, with “kickers” and “sliders” for more advanced wakeboarders. It will operate from late March to the end of October each year. Mr Stevenson said it would be suitable for beginners aged as young as nine through to experienced skiers.

Our source at A Vision Network, a Cardiff-based sales and marketing company said, “I’ll definitely be giving it a go. I know a lot of people who would get a lot of enjoyment from something like this.”