| Do It! - Wakeboarding & Water Skiing - Orlando Watersports Complex |
Central Florida is dotted with lakes, many of which make ideal venues for waterskiing and wakeboarding. Unfortunately, unless you happen to have friends with lakeside property and a properly equipped boat, getting in on the action is hard. Here are some helpful alternatives.
Buena Vista Watersports
13245 Lake Bryan Drive, Lake Buena Vista 32830
(407) 239-6939
www.bvwatersports.com
Cost: $70 for half an hour, $130 for an hour, including driver and gas
Hours: Daily 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: From I-4 Exit 68 take SR 535 south; Buena Vista is on your left
Water skiers and wakeboarders can rent a boat and driver at this location on a small lake very conveniently located in the tourist district. If you don’t feel confident enough to take a spin on skis, you can opt for a tube ride. All you need to do is sit down and hang on tight!
Nearby: Dixie Stampede, Hawaiian Rumble Adventure Golf, Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlets, Medieval Times.
Orlando Watersports Complex
8615 Florida Rock Road, Orlando 32824
(407) 251-3100
www.orlandowatersports.com
Cost: Rates range from about $20 for an hour to $37 for an all-day pass. Weekly passes are $196 and annual passes go for $1,000.
Hours: Daily 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; closes at 8:00 p.m. from October through February
Location: From I-4 Exit 74 take Sand Lake Road east, turn right on Orange Blossom Trail, left on Landstreet Road, and left on Florida Rock Road
Sort of a cross between (or among) water skiing, surfing, and skateboarding, wakeboarding is an increasingly popular sport, and this 50-acre facility has quickly become its Central Florida epicenter. Here you can take advantage of two “cableways,” overhead tracks that take the place of the more traditional speedboats and tow you along an oval course past (or over) a series of ramps and obstacles at speeds of up to 36 miles per hour. You can choose from the double skis popular with beginners or a variety of special discs and trick skis, but the platform of choice seems to be the wakeboard.
Although beginners are welcome (or at least tolerated), this place has become a hot spot for pros and semi-pros looking to brush up on their skills. The level of ability on display can be pretty intimidating for novices. If you’d just like to come and watch, that’s okay, too. There is a snack bar and a terrace-like dining area with a good view of the action. A pro shop offers the latest in equipment and accessories.
Note: Professional events are held here from time to time, which will limit your access to the facilities.
Although the complex can be seen quite easily from the toll road to the airport, it’s a little tricky to find. Perhaps the easiest route for tourists is to head south from Sand Lake Road on Orange Blossom Trail (US 17/441). Just before the junction with Florida’s Turnpike, turn left on Landstreet Road and drive about two miles through a heavily industrial area before turning left onto Florida Rock Road.
Nearby: Florida Mall, SeaWorld.
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