Plans entered for Pembrokeshire Wakeboarding Park

Wales’ hopeful moniker of a Land of Adventure may get a boost if plans for a new Pembrokeshire wakeboarding park is approved by local councillors. Plans for a new water park that also features open water swimming and stand-up paddle boarding have been tipped for land near Oakwood.

The application has been filed by siblings Sarah, Stephanie and Mark Harris. The trio say they have already acquired the land for the park.

“We’re all really sporty and we are all heavily involved with Haverfordwest Gymnastics club from a very young age, our mum was coach and I’m a qualified coach too,” Sarah Harris told local reporters. “Mark’s done downhill biking, Stephanie plays rugby for the Scarlets and we’ve all been into wakeboarding for quite a while now.

“The big thing for us is to bring a kind of extreme sport to Pembrokeshire,” she said.

Wakeboarding has been gaining popularity around the world. It was developed by combining the skills and techniques and skills of water skiing, snowboarding, and surfing. In its earlier years, wakeboard riders would be towed behind a power boat and the ride would jump and trick over the wake created in the water by the boat. Recent technological advancements now make it possible for riders to be propelled along by aerial-line cables in a purpose-built lake.

Inside these new facilities, beginners are given the opportunity for faster skills progression. And for advanced riders, the experience is made more enjoyable by floating features in the lake to aid in jumps and tricks.

The trio expect the development to cost in the region of £250,000. In addition to wakeboarding equipment, a clubhouse with a small shop and café to provide an indoor space for spectators and participants alike has also been proposed. If they get the go-ahead, the family plan to open the park during daylight hours for seven days a week in peak months.

If planning permission is granted, the new Pembrokeshire Wake Park could be open for business by the summer of 2016.

“Our goal is to tap into the fastest growing water sports market in the world and provide access to both locals and tourists, resulting in further growth and development of the sport,” Sarah said.

Pembrokeshire and western Wales is a premier destination for sporting enthusiasts. This wake park would be another major attraction for adventure seekers enjoying cottage holidays in Saundersfoot, Tenby and the rest of Pembrokeshire. 

Image Credit: Airwolfhound (flickr.com)