I tried. I really tried. But gravity is not my friend and I ended up in water more than I can remember.
Last Saturday, Wayen brought the whole bunch of us, together with his colleagues to Batam for a whole day of cable-skiing at Batam.
Oh before I go on - if you decide to try cable-ski, take the effort to go Batam. Just think about this - S$80 for a WHOLE day of skiing as compared to S$40 for ONE hour here at East Coast Park. Do your maths.
Anyway. As it was my first time, as for all beginners, we tried the knee board which, as the name implies, you kneel on the board and get drag around the lake. Sounds easy. Nope. Not when the initial tug will probably pull your arm sockets off. Not when you try to go right and your arms says NO! So when that happens - you start drinking. Thankfully, the lake is fresh water and not salty. Fresh as the water is not salty, but not fresh as in clean. Be prepared for greenish water, with soggy mud.
I splashed a few times before managing to go two-third of the way before my arms decided to play punk and I couldn't turn my board in time to go between the buoys. Yeah there are a few buoys that you need to go pass to ensure you can complete the whole circuit.
By afternoon, my arms ache. But after seeing my friends go through a few rounds attempting the wake board, I tried and immediately hit water. Not enjoyable and it hurt. So after reattaching my arm socket back, I decided to take the safer route and pull out my camera to shoot the action around me.
Oh yeah, in case you ain't sure - that fella at the top of the post - is NOT me.
Anyway long story short, its fun and you should go try it. But try it at Batam. Besides the obviously cheaper rates, you also get an important service there - free bike rides! Imagine this - you tried so many times to float, and finally you made it and half way through the circuit when a rouge wave flips you over. So what? Walk back? It's around two to three hundred meters walk, on bare feet. Nope. The kind guys at Batam Cable Ski Park immediately will swing their tiny mopeds out and ferry you back once you hit the shore. Talk about good service.
If you're not convinced, see my photos and then check out Batam Cable Ski Park
