The Nordic Mountain Cable Wake Park featuring a Sesitec System 2.0 installed by The Wake Park Project is now open on weekends. Check out NordicMountain.com for more info and updates.
Full story on Nordic Mountain’s new cable wake park setup at Transworld Business.
Mt. Morris, WI – Nordic Mountain, a ski resort in Central Wisconsin, has recently announced its plans to install a wakeboard cable system scheduled to open in June of 2009. The cable system, a Sesitec System 2.0, will be the first of its kind set up in the Midwest, and only the seventh installed nationwide.
Nordic Mountain’s System 2.0 will be installed on their private, 1.5 acre snowmaking lake. The towers will be positioned roughly 400 feet apart. Powered by an electric motor, the system is both quiet and environmentally friendly…
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Last week Sesitec upgraded a preexisting Rixen cable park from a 4-tower cable to 6-tower cable wake park, near Graz, Austria. The Wake Park Project sent Pat Panakos to back up Fritz and Tony from Sesitec to install the new 6-tower cable system. From what Panakos said, they got all 6-towers up in less than 24 hours, which is a testament to Sesitec’s decades of installation experience and on-site efficiency. The new Sesitec cable design is similar to our CWC installation, but with a shorter running length. The new cable layout by Sesitec will also feature 4 custom fabricated wake park obstacles to start, and there are plans to expand to 8 for next season.
Other cable parks in Germany are also in the process of upgrading to Sesitec cable systems. Many exisiting installations want to take advantage of the innovative layouts that Sesitec offers for cable wakeboarding and other water sports in today’s marketplace, along with cutting edge equipment options such as Lake Control for turn-key customer management. These new Sesitec layouts are optimal for advanced riders but also yield an amazingly consistent and forgiving pull for beginner to intermediate riders, which helps park owners to maximize their revenue potential.
To learn more about Sesitec Full-Size Cable Systems, please click HERE.
Click HERE to watch a complete Sesitec cable system build and learn more about our global cable wake park installations.
The TXMC Wake Park is now open and ready to ride! The new cable system, the Sesitec System 2.0, was first displayed to the public at the 2008 Surf Expo in Orlando for the Red Bull Wake Lab and is now at Texas MasterCraft’s private lake. Unlike a regular cable system that goes in either a clockwise or counterclockwise circle around a lake, the Sesitec System 2.0 is connected between two towers 700′ apart and goes down and back the same line. When the rider gets to either end of the cable system, he or she simply cuts out on edge and and makes a large arc and then the cable pulls the rider back the opposite direction. If you have never seen the Sesitec System 2.0 in action, click here for to learn all about it.
But what makes the TXMC Wake Park an actual wake park are the new obstacles for wakeboarding and wakeskating. Pat Panakos from The Projects Camp and The Wake Park Project in Orlando, Florida, has built both of the current features and is currently building a new box that is sure to be the talk of the town. Each of the features are completely boxed in so that riders cannot get hung up on them if they fall, greatly reducing the risk of injury. Currently, there is an incline box with each side of the box making a 45° angle with the water and a kicker that is perfect for learning to spin.
Every rider at the TXMC Wake Park is required to wear both a Coast Guard Approved (CGA) life jacket and a helmet. If you do not have your own CGA life jacket or helmet, both are available to rent or buy through the TXMC Pro Shop.
Each session on the TXMC Wake Park cable will be purchased and scheduled online through www.TXMCwakepark.com, much like the lessons for Sasser Wakeboard School. Each session lasts 15 minutes, so make sure you get to the TXMC Wake Park lake at least 15 minutes early so that you have time to put on your board, bindings, helmet, and CGA life jacket! Reserve your time call TXMC proshop at 817.589.7547 to schedule a session.
Current TXMC Wake Park Schedule
Saturdays 9:00am to 4:00pm
Tuesdays through Fridays 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Red Bull Wake Lab, the biggest and most innovative wakeboarding event ever devised, splashed down in Tempe Town Lake during the Circle K Tempe Music Festival on April 3rd and 4th. Over two days, more than 25,000 spectators experienced some of the nation’s top wakeboarders showing off their best tricks on the “Wake Lab,” a one-of-a-kind floating cable wake park designed by Pat Panakos and towed by two Sesitec System 2.0′s setup side-by-side.
The first day of competition got off to a rocky start as 50 mph gusts of wind caused two of the qualifying rounds to be postponed. But Saturday brought clear skies and calm winds, and an early start allowed the event to get right back on track. At the end of a day of tight competition, four riders walked away with awards – Aaron Rathy (Most Progressive), Adam Errington (Best Trick), Parks Bonifay (Best Line) and JD Webb (Best Overall).
“Red Bull Wake Lab Tempe was hands-down the best wakeboarding event I’ve ever participated in,” said wakeboarding pro JD Webb. “From the perfect weather to the huge, supportive crowd and the amazing, challenging structure, I was happy to just be involved, let alone win ‘Best Overall.’”
The 36 competing athletes were a combination of pros hand-selected by Parks Bonifay, X Games Gold medalist and event co-creator, along with up-and-coming riders from across the country who competed in regional qualifiers to earn their spot in the event.
Red Bull Wake Lab made its debut in Orlando, FL in September 2008, and was an instant success with riders and fans alike. Created as an experiment to see how far the boundaries of the sport of wakeboarding could be pushed, the groundbreaking event seeks to “evolve” the sport of wakeboarding. Influenced by the design of the modern skateboarding skate park and snowboarding snow park, a massive cable wake park was specially designed with the goal of taking wakeboarding somewhere it had never been before. The result, dubbed “The Wake Lab,” allows riders to perform sets of tricks that were once impossible, raising the sport to new levels.
In order to evolve the sport and create new experiences for riders, a new technology needed to be introduced to take full advantage of the revolutionary wake park structure. This came to fruition when the “The Wake Lab” was coupled with the Sesitec System 2.0 overhead cable system courtesy of The Wake Park Project. No boats are needed to tow the wakeboarders, as this revolutionary cable system allows athletes to take two full runs (back and forth) across the wake park’s various rails, pools, sliders and 15-foot wall. The system made its US competition debut at Red Bull Wake Lab in Orlando.
For complimentary images post-event, visit www.redbull-photofiles.com.
Competition Semi Final / Final Results:
Semi Finals
Heat 1
Heat2
Finals
Heat 1
Overall Winner – JD Webb
Most Progressive – Aaron Rathy
Best Trick – Adam Errington – Backside Lipslide, backside 270 out on the quarter pipe
Best Line – Parks Bonifay – Switch boardslide backslide 450 to front board, 90 out on the M gap, backside lipslide over nose slide on the angled hubba ledge
A few years ago, we made a trip down to Florida, to “roll” out our new wakeboards and boots. It was a pretty big time launch. Ha ha! It consisted of going to the Projects to let their crew check the stuff out. It was the first time we met Pat Panakos and Robby Jacques. So we show up unannounced. Robby had already secretly hooked up with Jeff McKee and put the product through the usual test, rails, wake to wake, basically doing everything he could to break it and see where Slingshot was coming in with regards to overall performance. He was freaking on the goods but was riding for another company at the time, so he played it cool on the “DL”. I knew eventually we would get him on the stuff. I could see it in his eyes. No way he could go back to an old construction. It was just a matter of time before he evolved. Cool with us. Anyway, Pat rolls up and introduces himself, and says. “Are you guys from another planet. This stuff (gear) has been in my head, and without ever talking, or meeting before, you show up and here it is right in front of me. In real life!“ We took that as a huge innovation compliment. We thrive on innovating cool stuff. So leap forward, a couple years. I would run into Pat and Matt Hickman at certain industry events, boats shows, etc. Both were always super cool and relaxed. This is when boat sales were diving and gas was over 4 bucks a gallon. I always thought what’s up? These guys are so laid back, yet everyone else is pinning. Unknown to me, they were secretly so far ahead of the curve. Why pin when you have the biggest thing to hit wakeboarding since the boat? Jump forward to Surf Expo 08. They launch the Sesitec System 2.0 with the Red Bull Wake lab event. They killed it! But other than a few top pro’s… who had really put this new cable to the test? What was the word on the street? Well when you have a industry changing innovation, word spreads fast. It has and it’s good. The Wake Park Project put one out at the Projects. More pro’s got a chance to check it out. Still good, no I mean great feedback. We instantly thought, “What’s better than a Sesitec [System] 2.0? How about two of them?!” Our team guys were so blown away, we hooked up with The Wake Park Project and helped set up number 2 over the Slingshot 100’ flat bar. Photographers, video guys, and riders are all going nuts this winter at the Projects. You can start finding shots and video at WakeBoarding magazine and Alliance magazine. More important is more of these cables could be going up in your area.
So what’s the prediction? Well we predict this cable will revolutionize wakeboarding. Or should we say, create real “rail parks”. Why? It’s cost effective. Now, I’m no math expert, but It seems like you can get one of these for the price of a cheap wake boat. Two of them for a good boat, and three of them for the price of a boat that is all decked out, like the kind wakeboarders you see that don’t actually wakeboard own (you know the type.) And that’s the good news for boat manufactures. They still have their customer base because those people don’t wakeboard anyway. But if you are into riding you have to recognize the innovation as stellar. Here more why. It’s a smart system. It’s portable, you’re not locked in to a riding location forever. We could see the local neighbors pitching in 5G’s each and family sharing these things. When your kid goes off to college, you just sell your shares to the new family that move in down the street. Or if that’s not in the cards, there will be one somewhere close to where you live. You don’t have to dig a ditch, or you could, but that’s up to you. You can pull it down during hurricane season. You can pop it up in the winter and hit rails on your snowboard. Look for one in the Chicago scene. Camps will teach better and riders will learn faster. You don’t need a jet ski or a driver. Let’s admit it that era was kind of gay anyway. Sesitec System 2.0 kills it! In short it offers a lot of options that are all well thought out. It makes the future of rail parks a reality.
So how does it ride? “It’s like hanging out at the skate park with all your friends. It’s a solid pull without all the noise of an engine; Just the sweet whispering of your wakes. System 2 eliminates almost all of the downtime you deal with using alternate towing devices so you’re riding more and waiting less. It’s by far the # 1 solution for riding small bodies of water, rail parks and no wake zones…(although you may want to check with the authorities first) haha. My name is Jeff McKee and I approve this message because I care about wakeboarders worldwide. Ski ya later!” - Jeff McKee. That’s all we need because, all the other team guys were still frothing at the mouth, so we could not really get decent quotes.
As innovators ourselves, we recognize the effort by The Wake Park Project to bring this innovation to the masses. Good work Matt and Pat! We only have one question. “Are you guys from another planet?”
40 SW Cascade Avenue
Stevenson, WA. 98648 U.S.A.
Email: info@slingshotsports.com
Phone: 509-427-4950
Toll Free USA: 877-775-4832
December 4, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
I am the Managing Partner of the Revolution Cable Watersports Park located in North Fort Myers, Florida. Our cable park opened about 4 months ago after approximately five years of permitting and construction. The cable system located at our site is a used Ski Rixen cable that was originally installed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It was operated in that location for approximately 25 years. In 2006, we purchased the cable and disassembled it in North Carolina. We then transported it to North Fort Myers, FL. Once it was here, we purchased replacement and upgrade parts to bring the system up to the most current standards.
The upgrade parts were purchased directly from Ski Rixen and Cable Park Controls, LLC. When we purchased our used system, the only cable park consultant in the United States was working with Ski Rixen. This gentleman was also the owner of the used cable system so to our knowledge we could only order upgrade parts from Ski Rixen. So we put the order in and moved forward. Also the system is the first and currently the only system to have a US manufactured control system. Our case is very unique because we purchased the used system. Today the German made control systems have been significantly improved.
Between the time we purchased the used cable and our first operating day, two companies were formed two distribute and aid in the planning and installation of cable systems in the United States. Those two companies are, “The Wake Park Project (Sesitec Cable Systems)”, and “Cable Wake Parks (Ski Rixen Cable Systems)”. I have met the owners’ of both distribution companies and I would like to pass on a strong recommendation to The Wake Park Project.
Currently I have not done any business with Cable Wake Parks, but I have purchased replacement cable parts from The Wake Park Project. In doing business with this company I felt that I was their most important customer. Phone calls were returned in a prompt manner, parts were shipped at a fast rate, prices were very reasonable and extra time and effort was put in when I had a problem that shut my cable down for two days. During the time that I was down, Christian von Lerchenfeld, the owner of Sesitec Cable Systems (located in Germany), quickly diagnosed my cable system problem via email and an on-site visit, and then provided the required replacement parts needed to get the cable back into operation quickly. Matt Hickman and Pat Panakos (owners’ of the Wake Park Project) also visited the site when we were down and assisted in the diagnosis and ultimate solution. After my recent experiences with Matt, Pat, and Christian, I have no questions about who to order cable replacement parts from in the future. If I was looking to build a new cable park, I would request quote from both distributors, but I would heavily weigh the excellent service and treatment I was given by Christian, Matt, and Pat.
Recently I was also treated to a test ride on The Wake Park Project’s newest product named “System 2.0.” I am so impressed with the system that I have made it a top priority to purchase and install a System 2.0 on site. This product is extremely innovative, safe, and inexpensive when compared to similar products or a new cable system. I feel that if I were back in the planning stages 5 years ago, and the System 2.0 was available, then I would have put it into our site plans from the start.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at anytime. If you are looking into building a cable park, I look forward to welcoming you to the family of cable park owners.
Sincerely,
Nick DiMasi
Managing Partner
Southern Boarder, LLC dba Revolution Cable Park
North Fort Myers, FL 33917
Phone: 239-656-3000
Fax: 239-656-3005
Email: nick@revolutioncable.com
About Revolution Cable Watersports Park:
“In 2003 the Revolution Cable Park idea was spawned. Today it is a reality. The cable system is a Ski Rixen Model, with 5 towers and runs in a normal counter-clockwise direction. The park encompasses approximately 20 acres and includes a 3/4 mile nature trail along one of the most pristine wetlands in the area with the addition of 270 recently planted native trees and 4,200 native plants.
The cable is operated at approximately 19 miles per hour allowing riders to wakeboard, kneeboard, ski or wakeskate. 7 riders can be on the system at one time, if you fall while riding, it is just a short swim to shore and walk back to the start dock where you can be riding again in minutes.
The system is run by the use of electricity and does not require any gasoline for operation. You will be surprised by the ease of riding on the system and the lack of engine noise when compared to riding behind a boat. In addition to those positives, the use of the cable system infuses 5 tons of oxygen per year into the lake water which helps the plants and fish as well as clarifies the water.
Our goal at Revolution is to ensure that all riders have a safe and fun time. We pride ourselves on being family oriented. So stop by, check us out, and let the fun begin.”
Texas MasterCraft now has a Sesitec System 2.0 installed on their private lake right behind their shop. We’re working closely with Texas MasterCraft’s owner, Jimmy Harvell, to develop his onsite Wake Park. This is the first phase of his Wake Park Project, so stay tuned for more info…
After two full days of preperation and safety checks, Pat Panakos, Matt Hickman, Jimmy Harvell, Clint Tompkins and Brian Sasser took test rides while Christian von Lerchenfeld of Sesitec dailed in the control box. Special thanks to Jimmy Harvell, David Humpfrey, Brian Sasser and everyone at Texas MasterCraft for helping us make the installation of the Sesitec System 2.0 so smooth.
To learn more about the Sesitec System 2.0 and how to start a Wake Park Project, please Contact Us.
Check out our Sesitec System 2.0 cable wake park video gallery below! If you have any questions CONTACT US.
Learn More about Sesitec’s System 2.0 and wake park implementation by clicking HERE. Or download our Wake Park Project BROCHURE.
As the only commercial provider of wake park rails and kickers for wakeboarding and wakeskating, we are developing our 2009 Wake Park Obstacle packages to optimize your wake park project. Visit our obstacles page and learn more about our unique construction methods and dedication to quality.
Be sure to check out the Red Bull Wake Lab event powered by Sesitec’s System 2.0 on Fuel TV, in November 2008.
Red Bull Wake Lab Hypothesis Proven At Lake Eola In Orlando
September 13, 2008
A crowd of 22,000 gathered in downtown Orlando at Lake Eola to witness 24 wakeboarders innovate the sport at Red Bull Wake Lab. This groundbreaking wakeboarding competition was the U.S. debut for The Wake Park Project and Sesitec’s cable system technology System 2.0. The new system and course design amazed the crowd and challenged riders to push each other to create as many unique runs which utilized all surfaces of the “wakepark.”
Red Bull Wake Lab’s course elements included an elevated pool, hand rails and sliders inspired by skate and snow parks. The judges reflected the hybrid wakepark course design and included freestyle snowboarder Pat Moore, Skate Park of Tampa’s Ryan Clements, in addition to wakeskater Brian Grubb and wake industry veterans Shawn Perry and Chris Bischoff.
With the city skyline serving as the backdrop, Red Bull Wake Lab brought the sport of wakeboarding to the masses. “It was awesome to see so many people turn out to watch Red Bull Wake Lab,” said JD Webb. “Red Bull made our ideas possible and helped innovate the sport tonight. This was by far the best event I’ve ever participated in.”
While the wakeboarders took center stage, DJ Swamp wowed the crowd with his turntable skills and pyrotechnic display and the Red Bull Air Force skydived into Lake Eola to kickoff the event.
Competition Results
Prime Component (Best Trick): JD Webb
Winning Run: Backside lipslide up ledge, frontside 270 gap to switch backside lipslide, frontside 270 out
Spontaneous Combustion (Most Creative Run): Aaron Rathy
Winning Run: Backside nose press, frontside boardslide up ledge, gap to backside lipslide, frontside 270 out
Proven Theory (Best Overall Run): Oliver DeRome
Winning Run: Frontside nose press frontside 180 out (handrail) backside lip, backside 270 out (hubba ledge); switch frontside 270 to front board (handrail) gap to boardslide (hubba ledge) switch boardslide backside 450 to boardslide over the Red Bull gap; boardslide backside 450 to boardslide to fake (Red Bull gap) frontside 360
This year has been a great opportunity to start looking at some innovative ways to grow our sport. The more people that ride, the better chance we have at keeping wake on the cutting edge of action sports.
That’s why The Wake Park Project has teamed up with cable manufacturer Sesitec to create the System 2.0, a straight-line cable system that’s not only affordable, it’s also portable, making it perfect for events, festivals and rail parks.
This two-tower cable system is the only system on the market that allows a continuous ride, giving beginners and advanced riders alike the tools they need to become avid watersports enthusiasts and bring the industry to a whole new level.
The System 2.0 could be the perfect tool for every dealer to bring new, local riders to their shop for weekend events, demos and lessons. But we don’t want you to take our word for it. We want you to see the System 2.0 in action and try it for yourself.
Learn About It
Stop by our booth at Surf Expo, September 12-14 at the Orlando Convention Center to see photos, videos, and speak to one of our representatives about how the System 2.0 is changing the way we ride, and what it can do for your dealership. We are in the Wake section at booth # 463s. And there are special dealer incentives for reserving a system at the show.
See It
On Saturday night, September 13, the Red Bull Wake Lab will be in full force at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. The System 2.0 will be pulling pro riders over some of the most insane obstacles the sport has ever seen, so come see it in action. Stop by our booth for event details.
Try It
After the Red Bull Wake Lab, the System 2.0’s will make their way to The Projects wake camp, where The Wake Park Project will hold demos to showcase the system’s abilities. Stop by our booth to pick up a ticket to reserve your spot. We want you to be among the first people to experience the ride.
Questions? Good. We like those.
Thewakeparkproject.com, info@thewakeparkproject.com, 206-295-7140
Sesitec has invaded Korea with a fantastic wake park project — Cable Park Korea (www.cablepark.co.kr). Our friend and resident of Korea, Michael Blunck, attended the opening day of CPK and here’s what he had to say about Korea’s new Sesitec cable system…
Michael Blunck: There’s been people wanting to put up a cable in Korea for years, and this country has desperately needed one. Wakeboarding has become super popular, causing the lakes and rivers to get pretty crowded. This season, however, there’s been a slight drop-off since the price of gas here has risen to more than $2 a liter! (Isn’t that like 8 or 9 bucks a gallon? Ouch!!!) So Korea is definately prime territory for a cable park…
After a few years of battling with the ‘powers that be’ and securing all the proper permits and paperwork, the Lee family of Pochun, Korea and the hardworking folks at Sesitec have finally put the finishing touches on Cable Park Korea, or CPK. It’s been a total family effort, as Mr. and Mrs. Lee and their two sons, Frankie and Jim, are all involved in the project.
I used to ride a lot with Frankie and his buddy Jason years ago on the Han river in Seoul, so I would periodically call them up to check on the status of the park. I almost went nuts the other day when I finally got a call from
Frankie, learning that they would be testing the cable sometime that afternoon. A 20-minute subway ride and a 90-minute bus ride later, I was standing on the dock, almost not believing what I was seeing. Christian and Fritz from Sesitec were hard at work making sure everything was just perfect, and after about half an hour, they called for Mr. Lee to go get changed.
Not only was this going to be the ‘first ride’ of the new cable, but Mr. Lee’s first time on a wakeboard as well. Everyone was placing bets on how far he would get. Let’s just say he got an “A” for effort. I was proud of him, and even snapped a photo of the historic occasion. After that, Fritz ran down and showed ‘em how it’s done, taking a few laps and enjoying every minute of it. If I didn’t know better, I’d of swore he was a 13 year old kid out there, smiling from ear-to-ear. Next on the water was Jason, Frankie, Jim, and new operator Jung Joon. It was hard, but I tried to be a good guest and wait for everyone else to ride first.
What the CPK might lack in size, it definately makes up for it with high towers and short ropes. Air tricks [flats tricks] have never been so easy. The cable is so tight and smooth. (Now I’ve got no more excuses for not doing switch raleys…darn!) No obstacles in the water yet, but they’ve got plans for a few kickers and a few rails, so a few more weeks of wait shouldn’t hurt too much. The following day, after a few more safety checks, we got to put on a show for all the good neighbors of the cable park, who finally got to see first hand what Mr. Lee has been talking about all this time.
It was one of the best days on the water that I’ve ever had. Christian and Fritz from Sesitec deserve medals of honor for spreading the love around the world like they do. Mrs. Lee deserves the same for keeping everyone fed and continually running out with watermelon and ice cream. I feel really lucky to have been there for the first test runs of the cable, and can’t wait to go back often to see more happy faces on everyone that tries it. I have a feeling that sleepy little village of Pochun is about to be wide awake real soon. — Michael Blunck
Click to www.cablepark.co.kr for more info.
In case you missed the March issue of WakeBoarding magazine, here are a few pages featuring Sesitec. Click the links below for the full PDF files.
This is my first blog of the year. I’m excited about the current state wakeboarding. Finally after 13 years of pushing the rail side of our spot, it is starting to become mainstream. For the last seven years I have been running the Projects Wakeboard and Wakeskate Camp and now I get to help people start their own wakeboard facility through the Wake Park Project. My current project is the Camsur Watersports Complex (www.camsurwatersportscomplex.com) in the Philippines. It is the brain child of Lray Villafuerte. He is giving me the opportunity to design his boat lake, winch park and put rails on the cable lake. So far the boat lake is 80% complete and should be in use by early April. We stacked the cable full of rails, boxes and booters. We just started the winch park and have some surprises for you. I can’t disclose too much, but I can say with a team like The Projects, Sesitec cable systems, Abox Fabrications and the CWC all under the Wake Park Project umbrella, well the future looks good for riders and park owners alike. I will be heading back to the states soon and there seems to be a lot of interest in starting wake parks back home. I can’t wait to get started building peoples dream parks.
We’ve had a lot of contact with future park owners, and I couldn’t be more excited about the potential for cable wake parks to blow up in the US. It means more access for more riders, and that means growing the sport at all levels — something I have spent most of my life trying to do. Building your own park with a cable system can seem really intimidating, but don’t let it stop you. We’re here to help and get you the information you need to be a part of the growth. Working with Sesitec, a leading cable system manufacturer, has been great because of their enthusiasm. And of course, working with Pat Panakos has always been really enlightening, since he lives and breathes wake sports like so many of us do. Stay tuned, there is more news to come.
