Waterski Park Reopens at Penrith

A rebranded and revitalised Cables Wake Park has opened at Penrith Panthers.

As Panthers Chief Executive Glenn Matthews explained "with $30 million spent on our renovations, this new ski park will add to what we can offer both the local community and also the tourist market.

"We want to make this a destination for everyone. It is a very significant and important move for Penrith and answers the calls of those who have been crying out for such a facility."

The former Cables Waterski park had been abandoned for more than a decade having closed due to issues surrounding public liability insurance. Rebranded as Cables Wake Park the attraction has been modelled on the successful Cable Ski Cairns. The Cables Wake Park is leased by the Penrith Panthers and operated by Chris Angus and Clayton Dunn from the management team of the Cairns venture.

Angus explains that "our cable park facility offers a whole new way to spend your day.

"The whole ski arena has changed. Water skiing has changed, updated, upgraded, modernised and blown everyone away with all the new technology and equipment. Wake boarding has really taken off as well."

Dunn said aside from the thrill of water skiing and wake boarding, the new park offers picnic and barbecue areas as well as parks, a playground, kiosk and basketball courts, adding "we will be able to cater for all kinds of functions from kids parties, bucks outings and corporate days to family reunions."

Speaking at the reopening of the Cable Water Ski Park NSW Sport and Recreation Minister Kevin Greene said that the timing of the reopening was excellent, with Cables announcing they have secured the first world tour event of the Wake Park World Series to be held in March next year.

Minister Greene stated "this is the first time an Australian venue has hosted a leg of the series.

"A World Wakeboard Association event, the Wake Park World Series is staged at the best wake parks across the globe.

"Water sports have always been popular in Australian culture, so itâs great to see Penrith hosting such a high profile international event."

The attraction has already hosted the first event in the 2010 Liquid Force rail jam wakeboarding series.

Open to six categories of wakeboarders, from Under 13s through to the professionals, the event drew riders and spectators to the park, with over 60 competitors including many of Australiaâs top wakeboarders.