Rixen cable parks: pioneering sustainable destinations & democratising watersports

The leisure and attractions industry is always seeking innovative anchor experiences that can transform landscapes, catalyse economic growth, and appeal to both local communities and global tourists. Rixen Cableway, the market leader in cable water ski and wakeboard systems, provides exactly this solution.

Drawing on a history rooted in visionary engineering and a dedication to accessibility, Rixen’s modern cable parks are driving sustainability, inclusivity, and profitability in destinations worldwide.

We speak to COO Philipp Fuhrmann about the company’s beginnings and the compelling ‘why’ behind cable wakeboarding’s enduring success.

He discusses the superiority of cable systems over traditional boat-based sports and analyses three key business models —skill-based attractions, tourism differentiators, and sustainable reuse of challenging sites —which cement Rixen's role as a vital partner in destination development.

Why choose a cable system?

For attraction operators and developers considering watersports, the cable park offers distinct advantages over traditional boat-based operations, spanning economics, capacity, and sustainability.

Firstly, a Rixen Full Size Cable outpaces a motorboat in throughput. While boat-based wakeboarding limits usage to one rider at a time, a cable system can handle up to 17 riders simultaneously, significantly reducing waiting times and increasing throughput. A single Full Size Cable has a capacity of 300–500 customers per day.

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From a commercial perspective, cable systems offer greater cost efficiency. They don't need fuel, which results in substantially lower operating expenses and less maintenance. The personnel costs for cable systems are said to be six times lower than those for motorboats.

This mix of higher rider capacity and lower operational costs is essential for achieving success and profitability.

“The other advantage is, of course, the ecological footprint, because we don't run our systems with fuel, but electricity,” says Fuhrmann. The electric drive means there is no local consumption of fuel, and the system emits zero CO2 locally.

And the system is quiet—you “basically can't hear it”—which minimises noise pollution for surrounding ecosystems and communities.

Rixen Cableway: starting with a simple goal

The story begins in the 1960s with Bruno Rixen. While on holiday in the Netherlands, he experienced water skiing behind a motorboat and was impressed by the sport. However, he recognised a critical flaw: the high cost of the motorboat and lengthy waits.

His motivation was to make the "beautiful sport" accessible to all.

“It all started with a visionary but straightforward idea,” says Fuhrmann.

Bruno Rixen tried water skiing and was amazed by it. He thought, “I want to do this myself.” But he couldn’t afford a boat — and many people couldn’t — so he wanted to find a way to democratise the sport.”

Leveraging his engineering background, Bruno Rixen began considering how to achieve this. The solution lay in the cable park concept, where multiple riders could be attached to a single machine, making the activity more accessible and simultaneously creating a viable business case for park operators.

He established his first company in 1961, applying his engineering expertise to overcome initial technical challenges by developing the patented two-rope principle and an innovative launch mechanism.

The first commercial water ski cableway opened in Benidorm, on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, in 1966. The system has been running successfully for almost six decades, having exceeded 70,000 operating hours.

Bruno Rixen’s company continued to grow, and the sport evolved with the 1990 invention of wakeboarding, which led to the modern cable park.

After Bruno Rixen retired in 2018, Dr Richard Söhnchen, an avid water sports enthusiast, bought the assets to uphold Rixen’s ideals and grow the sport. Rixen has now created over 500 wakeboard facilities worldwide.

What is a cable park?

Cable wakeboarding and waterskiing revolve around the Full Size Cable (FSC), which has five or six towers on land or water supporting pulleys.

The advanced drive mast technology ensures tow lines engage and disengage onto rotating cables. Riders launch from a glide ramp. Although called a water ski cableway, today 80% of riders are wakeboarders.

Complementing the FSC are the 2-mast systems (Master Series), which are essential for flexibility and diversity in revenue.

These systems—including the Master Basic, Silver, and Gold—are dependable, suitable for beginner training, and perfect for generating extra income through beginner courses, pro training, and group events.

Bringing people together for sport, fun, and more

The modern Rixen cable park can be both a safe environment for learning and a competitive venue for this highly inclusive sport. Wakeboarding is beginner-friendly and can often be learned in under 30 minutes. Rixen aims for “wakeboarding for all,” accommodating people of all ages and abilities.

The extends to gender equality; Rixen’s partner, the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF), awards equal prize money to men and women in competitions.

“There’s now even an official league for seated wakeboarding, for people who can’t walk. It’s a truly inclusive sport.

“Partnering with the IWWF gives us the platform to make it even more accessible. We support everything from grassroots events to world championships. It’s great to see athletes using our product to push their limits.”

However, the cable park experience transcends mere sporting activity; it’s about connection. “Cable wakeboarding brings people together,” says Fuhrmann. “A boat is mainly for a small, exclusive group, with just one person riding. A cable park is a hub where people from all backgrounds can come together and share the experience.”

Additionally, he notes the park’s role in promoting healthy, active lifestyles: “Cable parks have a special kind of energy. They’re beautiful, safe places for young people to be.

“It’s not just about riding; it’s about the community. You make friends, you’re outdoors, you express creativity, because wakeboarding is a subjective sport. It’s also a way for many to learn swimming.”

This mixture of sports, fun, and social connection is a powerful tool for community engagement.

Cable parks as strategic investments

Beyond their environmental and social merits, Rixen cable parks represent robust, versatile business investments.

For existing leisure enterprises or new entertainment centres, the cable park serves as a high-capacity, dedicated skill-based attraction. Its predictable operations and high throughput (up to 500 customers daily) guarantee consistent revenue.

The launch site is the central, busy area where spectators gather. Effective planning of this space should include key revenue sources such as food services and a Proshop.

Furthermore, cable parks are ideal venues for international events and competitions, which promote the sport and attract large crowds.

Rixen actively supports this market, serving as the official supplier for major events such as the World Games 25 in Chengdu, cementing cable parks' reputation as premier sports destinations.

In destination development, the cable park serves as a powerful differentiator. “We don't just build cable parks. We build destinations,” says Fuhrmann.

“It brings something special and unique. Real estate developers often tell us they need something “cool” for their projects; something beyond tennis or golf. A cable park gives them that wow factor and a clear USP.”

The park acts as an anchor that draws locals and tourists, young people and families alike. Once the cable park is established, it often serves as a catalyst for the development of surrounding infrastructure, including aqua parks, mini golf courses, beach volleyball courts, and restaurants.

Numerous examples illustrate the transformative impact of Rixen cable parks. At Liquid Leisure in London, the installation of Rixen facilities in 2009 revitalised the lake, turning it into a vibrant watersports hub that consistently attracts repeat visitors.

In Tirol, Austria, AREA 47 attracts summer visitors to Ötztal, filling hotels meant for the winter ski season and boosting the local economy year-round.

Transforming unused sites

One of the most sustainable and impactful uses of Rixen technology is the reclamation and repurposing of difficult or unused industrial sites, especially old quarries. Cable systems are flexible and can be installed in artificial lakes, reservoirs, or other bodies of water.

Fuhrmann says:

“Most lakes we use in Europe are actually old quarries, which is a great reuse of space. Personally, I grew up five minutes from one of our parks built in the 1990s on an old quarry. It became not just a cable park but a whole area with attractions and real estate.

“For me, it was where I met friends and spent time outside — a safe, active place for young people. That’s how something once empty became something beautiful.”

Cable park development is recognised as a sensible reclamation measure and sustainable long-term use for sites like this.

An example is Wasserski Langenfeld, Germany, now the largest cable park worldwide, featuring four full-size cables, two two-mast systems, artificial surfing, a beach area, food and drink, and many other attractions.

The first Rixen facility was built there in 1976 on one of the many gravel lakes. Over the years, with Rixen's help as a dependable, innovative partner, the site has developed into a renowned wakeboarding destination.

The nearby major cities, combined with effective management, marketing, and attractions, cultivated a large customer base and increased global recognition.

Scaling global demand

With over 500 installations across 58 countries, Rixen continues to navigate the challenges of scaling the sport globally.

“One of the biggest challenges, and opportunities, is awareness,” says Fuhrmann. “Many people still don’t know what our sport is. We often have to explain it first, but once people see it, they’re amazed. It’s an emotional product.”

People also come just to watch, have a coffee or beer and see the riders doing tricks and jumps.

“In new regions like Saudi Arabia, where we opened the first park last year, people had never seen the sport before. They come to watch, and once they’re there, we make sure they have a great day.”

“For me personally, it’s special when we bring parks to new destinations. There are also diverse business models. One park in Turkey earns most of its revenue from renting out the island in the middle of the lake for weddings and events. Others host concerts or focus purely on sport.

"The versatility is incredible.”

Another key challenge is maintaining leadership in innovation. Rixen continuously focuses on digitalisation, maintenance efficiency, and new park concepts, adds Fuhrmann:

“Recently, we developed a smaller version requiring less space so that it can fit into existing leisure parks. It increases capacity per area and opens new markets.”

This allows Rixen to implement a product in an area as small as 30 by 80 metres, achieving a capacity of 100 people per hour, opening up opportunities for existing leisure parks that lack a huge lake.

Rixen Cableway and the future of cable watersports

Looking ahead, Fuhrmann is convinced that demand will continue to grow, particularly in emerging markets where park density remains low.

Rixen’s commitment to the sport’s development remains resolute, exemplified by its partnership with the IWWF and its participation in the World Games, setting the stage for the eventual objective of becoming an Olympic sport.

“Bruno Rixen not only invented a product,” adds Fuhrmann. “He created an industry and a sport that didn’t exist before. Our main goal, following the founder’s vision, is to make the sport accessible to everyone.”

Rixen cable parks combine engineering, inclusivity, and sustainable development, positioning them as key contributors to the future of the global leisure and attractions industry.