Wakeboarding and segway, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, climbing, archery and angling are some of the adventure sports on offer at Siblyback Lake
Cornwall has always been a popular destination for lovers of water sports, but recent developments have meant that getting out into the water is becoming more accessible and easy to do. South West Lakes Trust, the region’s largest combined conservation and recreation charity, manages a large group of inland waters for the benefit of the public, one of which is Siblyback Lake.
As a lover of water sports, I was more than happy to take up the offer of a wakeboarding lesson at Siblyback Lake, located on Bodmin Moor. The days leading up to my lesson were filled with excitement and I imagined myself gliding along the water, but as I drove down the beautiful lanes and saw the lake for the first time, my nerves started to take over.
My day started with a tour of the facilities, including the café and changing facilities. As I wiggled into my wetsuit, the fear dispelled and during the short walk to the wakeboarding cables my instructor Joe quickly put me at ease.
The cable wakeboarding system at Siblyback Lake is the only clockwise system in the UK, and it is also the first cable system in Devon and Cornwall. Rather than the traditional boat dragging you along, a tall cable system is used and can be set to different speeds depending on ability. Beginners, like me, start with a kneeboard.
Despite having spent many summers in water surfing and body boarding, I didn’t live up to my graceful expectations. The first few attempts at launching into the water ended with me in the lake after less than a couple of seconds. However, with the support of Joe I kept trying until I was able to launch successfully, I even managed to turn two corners!
As I walked back up the path looking like a drowned rat I couldn’t help but grin. It had been a fantastic, albeit tiring, morning and I was so happy that I persevered and turned two corners.
Following a tasty lunch at the café, I met up with Segway Adventure to have a tour around the beautiful lake.
Surprisingly, I was more nervous about the segway than the wakeboarding (I’d rather fall in water than fall on the ground!) and expected my lack of balance and co-ordination to really affect my segway skills.
After some training my incredibly tense legs started to relax, and before long the whole group was zooming along the edge of the water and trying out off-roading amongst the woods.
The tour lasted an hour and a half and provided a unique way to enjoy the scenery. By the end of the tour the group of six were feeling much more confident on the two wheeled machines, and I was very proud of myself for not falling off.
By the end of the day muscles I didn’t know I had were aching, my hair was knotty and I was ready for a nap, but I was still full of excitement. Siblyback has so much to offer, now I just can’t wait to get back there and trying all the other activities.
Siblyback Lake
The great range of activities available includes:
No equipment? No problem! Siblyback also hires out all equipment.
There are regular kids’ clubs and national events are often held at Siblyback.
South West Lakes Trust
