An exhilarating mash-up of water skiing, surfing and snowboarding, wakeboarding has taken the world of watersports by storm. Strap a wakeboard to your feet and keep tight hold as you’re towed at speed across the water, riding the choppy waves of the boat’s wake.
Wakeboarding is super accessible, with some of the world’s best wakeparks springing up all over the UK. Many now use high-speed cables to tow you, installing fun obstacles to recreate the effect of the boat’s wake. You can hire all the equipment you need, and expert instructors are on hand to show you the ropes. Expect to get wet, work your body hard and have a tonne of fun!
Whether you’ve caught the bug at one of our beachclubs or fancy having a go before your holiday, there’s a wakepark to suit your ability and experience not too far away. Here are a few of our favourites.
Foxlake, East Lothian
Scotland’s first cable wakeboard park at Foxlake can be found just half an hour from Edinburgh. With its scenic woodland backdrop, the lake has to be one of the most beautiful wakeparks in the UK. But most importantly, the wakeboarding is top-class.
With two System 2.0 straight-line cables and great Industry obstacles, from kickers to rooftops, Foxlake is a special place offering something for riders from complete beginners all the way up to the national champs they regularly turn out here.
Blackpool Wakepark, Lancashire
Head to the lovely 10-acre lake at Blackpool Wakepark and you’ll find a fantastic watersports playground waiting for you. Not only can you wakeboard, but you can also have a go at activities like stand up paddle boarding and kayaking.
This pretty lake is home to two System 2.0 straight-line cables created by Sesitec, along with a whole load of fun obstacles including kickers and rails. There’s plenty of variety to keep riders of all skill levels happy.
Sheffield Cable Wakepark
Sheffield Cable Wakepark is set within the gorgeous countryside of the Rother Valley Country Park. Beginners can start out with the easier-to-master kneeboarding, then progress to standing up on a wakeboard. The instructors are excellent and will have you feeling confident in no time.
As the largest wakepark in the north of England, there’s an awesome selection of epic obstacles to challenge even the most advanced riders. Test yourself with the Red Bull-sponsored Diamond Peak rail, the XXL Butterbox and the Elephant!
Club Wake Park, Northamptonshire
Hit the friendly Club Wake Park in the Midlands for a play on waters of the picturesque Grendon Lakes. The vibe is really welcoming here, with plenty of encouragement and support on hand. Their Wakestation two-tower straight-line cable system is perfect for beginners while giving intermediate and advanced riders plenty of scope for mastering ever-bigger tricks.
The obstacles here range from gentle sliders, where novices can get their first (highly addictive) taste of big air, to a quarter pipe and double-ended spine kicker for the brave and experienced.
Box End Park, Bedfordshire
With not one but two purpose-built watersports lakes, Box End Park has been designed to offer an unbeatable wakeboarding experience and is one of the few wakeparks in the UK where you can be towed by either boat or cable.
With loads of amazing obstacles, they really have got things covered for everyone from beginners to pros. There’s also a huge inflatable Aqua Park playground and Lake Ninja course so you can make a fun family day of it.
Willen Lake, Buckinghamshire
On the outskirts of Milton Keynes, you’ll find Willen Lake nestled within 180 acres of lush parkland. It’s one of the UK’s biggest watersports centres, offering everything from dinghy sailing to kayaking alongside cable wakeboarding.
The sheltered waters are ideal if you’re learning to wakeboard, while the lake’s obstacles throw up some exciting challenges for more advanced riders. You can also enjoy a host of activities back on dry land, whether you fancy more adrenaline on their treetop high-rope course or relaxing with a fishing rod.
Thorpe Lake, Surrey
Join the fun at Thorpe Lakes, the closest wakepark to Central London. Their huge site boasts a full-size four tower cable system, a straight-line System 2.0 cable, and separate lakes where you can be towed by boat.
The cable park has some of the biggest obstacles in the UK, and they’re constantly switching them up to keep things fresh. The coaching here is second to none, with pro rider and British Team coach Lee Debuse’s LDB wake school on hand to teach all levels and ages.
Glasfryn Wakepark, Gwynedd
Glasfryn Wakeparc is the first to open in Wales – and with two lakes, three Sesitec System 2.0 cables and some first-rate obstacles, it’s also one of the best places to wakeboard in the UK. You’ll find the park on the stunning Llyn peninsula in North Wales, with all the facilities you need for a fantastic day on the water.
The riding ranges from the dedicated beginner cable right up to the advanced lake, where you can try some thrilling obstacles including the Mystic Big Air kicker, Industry Slug Rail and wall rides. They even hosted the first International Water Ski and Wakeboard event in the UK, so if it’s good enough for the pros…
North Devon Wakepark
Travel to the North Devon Wakepark, just 10 minutes from the spectacular Devon coast, for a family-friendly day on the water. They use a System 2.0 cable and have a series of interesting obstacles for you to master.
With UK pro tour champion Alfie Constable on board, the coaching is world class. Every wakeboarding session comes with professional instruction, giving you the best chance of success – whether you’re attempting to stand up for the first time or learning some new tricks.
The Edge Watersports, Coleraine
The Edge Watersports at Crannagh Activity Centre on the banks of the Lower Bann is home to Northern Ireland’s leading wakepark. They use good old-fashioned speed boats for towing here and riders of all ages and abilities are encouraged to join the action.
You’ll also find a huge choice of activities from other watersports like water skiing and kayaking to child-friendly fun such as a waterpark and banana boat rides.
Of course, if you fancy wakeboarding in warm seas beside golden beaches, you can always book a Neilson beachclub holiday and enjoy inclusive wakeboarding along with many other watersports and activities. We’d love to see you out here in the sunshine!