Wakeboarding park makes waves in local community

The 40-day trial of Auckland’s first wakeboarding park is ticking away, but Onehunga locals want it to stay.

Rixen Cableways operates the park and co-owner Kerry Martin said it has attracted all sorts of people from the community, from local scouts to a 60 year-old couple on a date.

The project has sparked interest from local businesses, with Mitre 10 Onehunga and Expol contributing to new equipment and expanding the wakeboarding park.

“It’s a real community project,” said Mr Martin.

The Onehunga foreshore recently underwent a $30 million upgrade and Mr Martin saw the empty area of the lagoon as an opportunity to develop something great for the community.

The cable wake system was first invented in the ‘60s and since then Rixen has built over 400 cables across the world.

Local wakeboarder Turner Honey, 13, visits the park every Saturday to ride and also film videos.

Turner said the temporary set-up has transformed the “boring basin” into a place of excitement where the community can gather and socialise.

“I think it has a high chance of staying up just because there are so many people here who want it to,” said Turner.

It is close to people’s homes and easily accessible with no need for a boat, he said.

Local resident Karolina Baravilala walks her dog around the basin daily and often sits to watch the wakeboarding.

“It’s an awesome activity for the community . . . before they started, this place was kind of dull,” said Mrs Baravilala.

Mrs Baravilala said it should definitely become permanent.

According to Mr Martin, there are over 100 cable parks in Germany alone and the world is experiencing a “cable revolution”.

“It’s 10 times more affordable than boat water skiing . . . the only equipment required is the willingness to get wet,” said Mr Martin.

“Nobody cares how much you make, what car you drive when they’re beside you on the dock or who you are, it’s just ‘hey can I give you a hand?’”

A number of events have occurred at the wakeboarding park in the past month, including a day with the Royal Oak Scouts which saw over 200 children try out wakeboarding for free.

The National Championships will be held at the wakeboarding park next month, which is the last scheduled event of its 40-day trial.

From there Mr Martin said it will “come down to the local community wanting us here”.