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Why go anywhere when this is your backyard

Words/Photos by Bradlee Rutledge

The rapid rise of cable parks and park riding over the last decade is nothing short of amazing. If somebody had told us back in 2006 that not far into the future there would be a generation of pro-level riders who never learned to ride behind a boat, we would have scoffed (in our totally arrogant, self-righteous way, of course). Obviously, the joke is on us… not only is cable riding now a huge component of wakeboarding as a whole, but for the past four years we’ve helped cultivate and endorse the Wake Park Triple Crown – a cable park contest series. Beyond full-size cable parks, or even smaller, two-tower based parks open to the public, we are now seeing an even more refined development and growth of park riding: private parks.

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Caution, Blake Bishop has style

Cable parks began getting more positive attention from top pro riders and American-based media when they started to introduce legitimate park features. Prior to that cable riding was seen as a sideshow. It was either a break from boat-riding for boat riders, or an outlet for riders who couldn’t ride boat. But as those park features progressed, so did the level and style of cable riding, which in turn has brought more parks to North America, as well as more riders to the sport. As with anything though, riders want to progress their riding and vision of the sport in their own way. That can be tough to do in a cable park that is open to the public and has rules, regulations, and things like insurance to worry about. Enter the private cable park. With an attitude similar to that of The Projects in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, private parks have become spots where riders can do exactly what they want, how they want, in order to push themselves and the sports. This aspect of riding really gained traction with Ben Horan’s Retention setup for wakeskating in Nahunta, GA. With the advent of the System 2.0 the idea of private park compounds picked up even more steam. Today top pros and up-and-coming riders are focusing on this type of setup rather than boat riding, and it’s showing up in both wakeboarding and wakeskating in big ways. All you have to do is look at places like Shredtown, Area 52, Battle Falls, and the Deromes’ for proof.

Private parks aren’t just for top pros with access to land though. Families are realizing the potential of owning a two-tower setup like a System 2.0 and beginning to take advantage. Pat Panakos, CEO of Sesitec USA, said nearly 100 System 2.0 setups have been sold in North America since 2008, and a handful of those are for private families doing their own thing. Whether these are families looking for basic backyard fun without the cost and commitment of boats, or families looking to provide serious kids with different riding opportunities, both equate to more riding from a larger variety of people. Basically you don’t have to be a top pro to have a private setup and get really good. You just need some water and some time spent on it.

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Pierce Bishop enjoying his private playground.

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Hide & Seek with Cole Vanthof

A perfect example of this formula can be found in the Bishop family outside of Atlanta. The whole family loves wakeboarding, and with the opening of Terminus nearby both kids, Blake and Pierce, quickly spent hours upon hours riding the park. With access to some land and having seen the results of places like Shredtown, the Bishops installed their own System 2.0 and both Blake and Pierce’s riding are progressing rapidly. More importantly, they’re having more fun than ever with their friends while doing it. The Bishops represent a new breed of riders in wake. They don’t just ride differently than the generation before them; they see wakeboarding differently. As this facet of wakeboarding grows it will be fun as hell to see just where the sport can go as a whole.

Park riding is growing at an amazing clip, both in terms of top-level progression and Average Joe involvement. While wakeboarding will always have strong roots in boating, it is great to see a new set of roots take hold in an entirely new facet of the sport: the private park. Ultimately more riders everywhere, no matter if it’s boat, cable, winch, or something else, is better for everybody. Boats, their wakes, and the tricks riders land off of them continue to blow minds, but it is a good sign that riders can also make waves in the sport from a private park. While we might not be at a point where wakeboarding can support two totally separate entities with the capability of sustaining contests, fans, and pro salaries, we’re seemingly on track. Really, the future is bright for wakeboarding, and that’s what matters.

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Fasten your seatbelt when quarter-piping

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Big air, don’t care, eh Ben Leclair.