What is Wakeboarding?
Wakeboarding is one of the world's fastest-growing water sports. It combines elements of snowboarding, skateboarding and water skiing into an exciting activity that is suitable for almost everyone. It is just as entertaining to watch as it is to ride.
At Wake Park Imatra, you can experience cable wakeboarding, where an electric cable system pulls the rider across the water instead of a boat. Cable parks make wakeboarding easy to try, whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced rider.
We also offer wakeskating. A wakeskate is similar to a wakeboard, but unlike a wakeboard it has no bindings, making it feel more like riding a skateboard on water.
You can easily book your wakeboarding session through our online booking calendar and experience the thrill of riding on the beautiful River Vuoksi.
Each one-hour session has four available places. Depending on how many places are booked, each participant will have approximately 15–60 minutes of riding time.
How to Get to the Water Sports Centre
All you need is:
• Swimwear
• A towel
• A positive attitude
Please arrive at the Vuoksi Fishing Park restaurant at least 15 minutes before your session begins.
Check in with the restaurant staff, where you can pay for your booking if necessary. First-time visitors must also read the safety instructions before entering the water.
If you have rented equipment, our staff will direct you to the equipment storage building next to the restaurant. Rental equipment includes:
• Wakeboard or wakeskate
• Helmet
• Life jacket
• Wetsuit
Once you have selected suitable equipment, you can change in the changing cabins by the beach.
A long walkway leads from the beach to the starting dock, where you will meet our cable operator. The operator will explain everything you need to know before your session begins and will assist you throughout your first rides.
When it is your turn, put on your helmet and life jacket, fasten the board to your feet and wait for the operator's instructions.
New to Wakeboarding?
Our operators will guide you throughout your session, but we recommend watching a few beginner tutorials before your visit.
Learning the basics in advance—such as water starts, dock starts and turning at the ends of the cable—will make your first session easier and more enjoyable.
There are many excellent beginner wakeboarding videos available on YouTube.
How to Perform a Water Start
Float comfortably on your back with the board positioned across the water.
Hold the handle with both hands and keep the rope centred between your knees.
Signal to the operator when you are ready.
Do not pull on the rope. Let the cable pull you smoothly out of the water.
As you rise onto the surface, turn the board in the direction of travel and keep your weight centred over the board.
How to Turn at the End of the Cable
At both ends of the cable there are three yellow buoys forming a triangle.
Ride along the centre of the cable until you reach the first buoy beneath the cable line.
As you approach the turning area, gradually build speed by edging strongly on your heelside edge, leaning towards the outside buoy. Try to pass the outside buoy as wide as possible while keeping the rope under constant tension.
When the cable changes direction, smoothly transfer your weight onto your toeside edge, rotate the board into the new direction and continue riding back towards the centre of the cable.
Once you have mastered both ends of the cable, you will naturally ride a smooth figure-eight around the course.