Thrilling Watersports Mecca

For almost two decades, Rosevillians have cherished their beloved summertime water park, Golfland Sunsplash. But as the kids get older, the wave pools and 30 second thrill slides don't provide the same amount of excitement and entertainment as they did when they were younger. Not to mention, where can adults with higher levels of excitement requirements go to play and keep cool?

Lucky for us, Wake Island Watersports opened its gates to the largest waterskiing andwakeboarding park on the West Coast in spring of 2013, providing thrill-seeking Rosevillians with yet another great wet-and-wild option for our notoriously warm and long summers. Located at 7633 Locust Road on 80 acres just west of Roseville in Pleasant Grove, entry to the two-lake water park is free to observers – and they have a ton of fun things to do once you get there!

One lake provides boat owners with a 2,300 foot long body of clean, obstacle free water, specifically designed for water skiing. It features a USA Water Ski approved slalom course and is set up with Perfect Pass speed control and timing magnets (which probably only makes sense if you're a seasoned water skier). But even for novice skiers, the lake provides that "butter" or "glass" smooth water surface condition due to a visually-pleasing windbreak consisting of a 12 ft high berm and abundant poplar, pine and eucalyptus trees.

The other lake finds Wake Island patrons utilizing the West Coast's first full-sized cable water ski system to pull them around its nine acres of cool, wet fun. The system is especially designed to mimic the "behind a boat" experience, but provides more controlled experiences which result in better learning opportunities for both novice and experienced skiers alike.

Even if you've never water-skied or wake-boarded before, don't fear…Wake Island is also a great place for newbees. The park features a two-tower cable system on an adjacent smaller body of water that provides a simple and easy way for newcomers to learn to wakeboard. While the age limit is 10 to ride the big lake cables, lessons are available for kids as young as seven – and they also do birthday parties!

Thanks to a new partnership with locally-owned Beach Hut Deli, visitors and riders can re-energize with a hearty sandwich and cold beverage before returning to perfect that "toeside on axis 720" – just remember what your mother said about waiting at least 30 minutes before getting back in!

Call Wake Island at 916-655-3900 to find out more details about special events, lesson deals, season pass rates and seasonal hours of operations.