Summer is in full swing and the Florida Heat is bearing down. It's time to grab the wakeboard, bust out of the AC, and mix it up with some of this record breaking heat at McCormick's cable park. I've been wakeboarding since '96 and have slacked off a bit since moving to Tampa four years ago, mainly because I don't own or know anyone who owns a boat (with a motor). The only time I've gotten on my wakeboard down here was a few years back at McCormicks. There was no cable park then, nor had I ever heard of such. So when I saw their ad in Creative Loafing talking about a "cable park" I figured it was time I head back out there.

Ramp, rails, and table tops, it’s crazy! Left me in awe. I'm just a river rat who grew up on the Ouachita River in South Arkansas and on different lakes here and yonder. We don't have anything like McCormicks where I come from. The cable park is like a skate park complete with kickers, kinks, grind boxes, and rails, just on water. The cable system can tow eight riders at once and challenges riders of all skill levels at the same time. All types of boarders are welcome.

First things first, you must sign a waiver (always a confidence booster). I skipped the beginner cable and headed out to the main line. The local riders are killing it as I walk up. The adrenalin starts flowin and two thoughts cross my mind, don't embarrass yourself and what ever happens don't take one of those obstacles on the face.

This article appears in Jun 24-30, 2010.