ALLENDALE -- Any time Kevin Zoodsma and his fellow employees or customers at Action Water Sports of Hudsonville wanted to do some cable wakeboarding last year, they had to plan a road trip.
Cincinnati was the closest city he could find a park that offered this type of extreme sport.
The good news for Zoodsma and wakeboarders across the state is they now only have to go to Allendale following the recent opening of Placid Wake Park.
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Here's how it works:
• Wakeboarders are pulled along the lake by an overhead cable, the Sesitec System 2.0, which is powered by a generator. • The pulley system, which covers about 700 feet of water and is held intact by a pair of towers on opposite ends of the lake, enables wakeboarders to glide down the lake and back. • Rails are set up in the lake with varying degrees of difficulty. | ||
It is believed to be the only cable wakeboarding park in Michigan.
"This is going to be great," Zoodsma said. "Our customers who can only ride on their friends' boats can now come in and wakeboard whenever they want. People who have boats can come and try it out because riding behind a cable is a completely different experience."
The park is at 8180 Placid Waters Drive, nestled in the Placid Waters complex off 84th Street. The park, which includes a pro shop, is open 3 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Rockford friends Scot Ferwerda, Kyle Sischo, Bryce Balcer and David Sischo have worked on the project for about a year. Ferwerda, 26, is a professional wakeboarder who has spent recent years in Florida, where he familiarized himself with the concept.
Ferwerda said he is confident it will be a hit in Michigan, mainly because wakeboarders no longer need a boat to participate in their sport.
Officials have been busy putting the finishing touches on the park, including installing an adjustable 75-foot hydraulic rail.
"This is just one of many that will be springing up in the next couple of years," Ferwerda said. "These are really popular in Germany, and it's really starting to catch on here in America the last few years. A few years ago, there were probably four cable parks in the United States. There are probably 12 or 13 now.
"It is really good for teaching beginners, and it's also really good for pros who are learning new tricks as opposed to being on a boat or Seadoo. When you hit a rail and fall, that boat or Seadoo has to come back and get you and then pick you back up again.
"With this, the operator sees you fall, stops the cable immediately, you swim 5 feet over to get a rope, and 10 seconds later, you are back up hitting the same things you just tried. So, it's more like skateboarding and it's more like snowboarding where you can get right back up and try the same trick again, and you are able to learn much quicker."
While the park officially opened May 15, a grand opening is scheduled for June 5. Until then, the park is open daily. The cost to ride the cable is $25 per hour.
Wakeboarders may stop by during business hours to sign up, but Ferwerda said it's best to schedule an appointment by calling 616-892-WAKE.
Wakeboarders also soon will be able to register and pay online at
.
The grand opening will run 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and wakeboarders can ride all day for $5 and if they bring five non-perishable food items. All food collected will be donated to God's Kitchen in Grand Rapids.
The Global Invitational, a pro water ski tournament and night wakeboard jam, is slated for June 27. The Michigan Wakeboard and Waterski Championships will be held July 24-25.