Weekend Wakeboarding at Al Forsan International Sports Resort, in Abu Dhabi

Here’s an idea!

Instead of dragging a water-skier, or the hipper and more modern wake-boarder, behind a speed boat – which is expensive, requiring open water, even dangerous, let’s use an enclosed lake and a system of mechanical pulleys and electric winches to simply power the watersporty around a cable-driven circuit specifically designed for fun watersports!

And so Al Forsan International Sports Resorts built “one of the most amazing cable facilities in the world”, according to none other than the World Wakeboarding Association!

What can one do there?

Well, this, for instance!

weekenduae wakeboarding Al Forsan

Or this:

weekenduae wakeboarding Al Forsan

But that’s all very well for the pros – just how does a regular first-timer cope?

We took two young and willing test subjects and let them loose in the Middle East’s first water cable park!

First, they get kitted up – safety first – and signed up.

Wakeboarding

The Al Forsan facilities are really world-class.

There are three separate cable runs. There is a huge overhead cable system erected around the banks of the purpose-built ‘pro’ and ‘beginner’ lakes. The cable travels between 29 to 38kph (depending on the level of experience), pulling participants around the lake on their chosen board or ski ie. wakeboard, wake skate, knee board, mono ski or water ski.

The cable system can accommodate multiple riders at a time (13 per minute), providing the participants more action and less waiting time.

And there are jumps set along the cable lines!

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboard

This might seem a bit daunting for the beginner…

weekenduae

Here’s how it works.

You get your kit all ready and walk out to the starting line. The cables swing round, and the attendant gives useful advice and instruction. You sit down on the edge, wakeboard on your feet, and you hold onto the handle.

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

And then…action!

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

Our beginners were up and wakeboarding in two tries!

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

Apparently, the cable pulls smoothly, and so learning is a cinch.

Perfecting the more advanced moves, like jumps, can take a lifetime of practice.

Can you believe entering a new sport, and on Day One feeling comfortable enough to try a jump??!!

Might need a little more practice on the landing…

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

Happily, landing on the water is fine, and as soon as one lets go of the handle, one simply swims out, to get another chance.

For the most part, the sport can be as tranquil,

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

or as intense as one chooses!

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

But it’s not all adrenalin rush.

Some of those present see wakeboarding as a way to personal fitness.

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

The camaraderie among the players is wonderful, and even the natural competition is good-natured. Everyone was helpful and supportive. And there is time to just chill and enjoy a chat.

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

The grounds are lovely. And there is a good vibe throughout.

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

And at Al Forsan there are interesting characters from the wakeboarding community everywhere, like this cool cat from Kuwait:

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

And then the sun sets and… nobody goes home! The flood lights come on, and the wake park transforms into another dimension.

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

Overall, the wake park at Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi caters to both beginners and pros, offering world-class facilities for wake boarding enthusiasts to maximise their time on the water, which in turn allows them to progress very rapidly in the sport.

weekenduae Al Forsan wakeboarding

For further information, visit the Al Forsan Water Sports Centre website.