Cable skiing is a way to water ski (or wakeboard), where the skier's rope and handle are pulled by an electrically driven cable, whereas traditionally a waterskier is pulled by a motorboat. The mechanism consists of two cables running parallel to one another with carriers between them. The carriers are metal plates with hooks on them which allow the tow rope to be attached and detached easily without shutting the system down. The cable is generally suspended 15-20 feet (5-7 metres) above the water. This makes for a different feel then when riding behind a boat, whether wakeboarding or water skiing.
The higher angle of pull makes bigger air and sharper turns possible. Generally, on wakeboard-only cables, there are ramps and sliders for the riders to use. Another way for wakeboarders to get air on the cable is to "load the line." Loading the line is putting tension on the rope and using the water as a spring to fling one's self into the air. Though it is possible to do this behind a boat, the higher angle of pull and the slight jerk on the corners allow good riders to get much higher.
Cable skiing is popular in Europe and slowly gaining momentum in the United States. In Germany alone there are over 50 active cables. There are four cables in Poland - Szczecinek (1100m), Ostróda (800m), Lublin (760m) and Augustów (740m). In the U.S. there are less than 15. However, the world capital of wakeboarding is in Orlando, Florida where the world renowned cable park Orlando Watersports Complex is located.
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