Wakeboarding

Last month, I did something a bit different. I'm always looking out for new experiences to try, so when the opportunity to try Wakeboarding came about, I couldn't refuse!

The company I did it with is called 'Wake Up Docklands', a pretty new company based in London's Royal Victoria Docks. It's right by the Emirates Cable Car (more about that later...) and very easy to get to.

The beginner session cost £35 and we got a good couple of goes each (doesn't sound much, but trust me if you're brand new to this, it's plenty!). They put you in a maximum group of four so that everybody has a good amount of time in the water.

They provide you with a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and of course, a wakeboard. It was a little cold being barefoot in October, but luckily as it was such a beautiful day and the adrenaline was buzzing, you soon forgot the chill.

Now I've never done anything like this before. I've never tried Surfing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Paddleboarding, nothing! So I didn't have much faith in being able to stand on my board in the water. Luckily, our instructor Lee was very patient and had a good sense of humour. After about four or five times of falling in and sometimes totally face-planting the water, I suddenly found myself being able to stand up and ride the water. I was actually wakeboarding! It was amazing!!

You are all sat on a floating platform. When it is your turn, you fasten your feet into the 'boots' that are stuck to the wakeboard and awkwardly 'plop' yourself into the cold, grey Thames water. Here instead of being pulled by a speedboat, you are pulled by a remote contolled cable that is operated by you instructor. Holding on to the handle as you sit in the water, you are gradually pulled up and out into a (hopefully) standing position, where you are pulled along the water and you do your best to balance and stay upright!

When you do manage to stay standing, it is the most amazing and free experience! Whilst you feel safe, you also feel pleasantly alone as you ride across the water.

They give you nice thick blankets to wrap up in afterwards, which was definately needed. There is also a little cafe on site and seats where you can watch the professionals practice their jumps.

Show offs.

They are planning on developing the area further and adding a floating island which will have more (and warmer) changing rooms.

I'm definately going to head back in the Spring and give this another go. It's a great activity to try on your own, in a couple or as a group of friends for a Birthday/Stag/Hen celebration.

Check out the website http://www.wakeupdocklands.com/

Oh and whilst I'm here, I will give a quick mention about the Emirates Cable Car. As I said previously it's right by the Wakeboarding place, so after our session we jumped aboard and took a lovely scenic ride over to the o2 to grab some lunch.

As we were only going one way and had a Travelcard, it only cost us £3.20. Really worth doing, especially if it's a nice day. More information and pricing can be found on the website http://www.emiratesairline.co.uk/