After numerous comical “Dad wipeouts” I was content to sit on the dock with a drink and newfound appreciation as I watched the young locals’ fluid riding styles and epic jumps where they twirled and flipped through the air. I was not so lucky! I tried a wakeboard and succeeded in getting up on the water one out of five attempts, only to fall at the first turn. ![]() Donnie got both kids both riding and having fun from their very first try. The slack in the rope tightened and off they went, pulled from the dock’s ramp like a rock skipping across the lake to an expectant Donnie who received and stabilized them on the water, and taught them how to navigate the sharp tug of the cable at the four turns on the course. One at a time, my kids received the rope handle from the cable operator, who offered some last-minute encouragement, and then counted “Three, two, one, go!” Getting air off one of the ramps at the Shark Park 561 cable park in West Palm Beach. After some on-land coaching, Donnie left us to take a solo lap around the course. We arranged a lesson with Donnie, a tall sandy-blond-haired, wiry 17-year-old high schooler.ĭonnie started my kids on kneeboards, the easiest way to learn. We quickly navigated through electronic waivers, helmet and life-jacket fittings, and choice of kneeboard, skis, or wakeboard. It’s among a growing number of wake park facilities that employ a tower and cable system to pull riders around a lake course instead of using a motorboat. ![]() (Shark Wake Park)Īfter a short Uber ride north to West Palm Beach, we arrived at Shark Park 561, founded by the son of golf legend Greg “The Shark” Norman. Water Skiing Without the Boat An instructor gives a child a kneeboarding lesson at the Shark Park 561 cable park in West Palm Beach. Though my wife and I would have been content to do nothing more than read, stroll the beach, cool off in the ocean, and then repeat, our kids were full of energy and ready for action. A mother and child play in the surf at Delray Beach, Fla. The relaxation from sitting on a beach chair under an umbrella with feet in the sand was accentuated by the hypnotic rhythm of crashing waves and the view of the ocean. After entering the handicapped-accessible route to the sand, we were greeted by young friendly attendants eager to help us settle in for the day with a chaise lounge, umbrella, and cabana rental. While strolling the main artery on Atlantic Avenue, w e assimilated into the medley of year-round residents, seasonal “snowbird” retirees, and tourists all moving to Delray’s cheerful pace.Ī pavilion marks the entrance to the beach where Atlantic Avenue intersects the famous A1A, which runs north-south nearly the entire ocean-side of Florida. We enjoyed exploring Delray’s parks, restaurants, bars, galleries, shopping, and attractions on foot. The sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean in Delray Beach. We were attracted to Delray’s location on South Florida’s ocean, and the first thing we noticed upon arrival was the weather-in springtime, it may very well be perfect. The powerful sun tanned our skin while the ocean breeze prevented overheating. With so many vacation-worthy towns to choose from, my family recently traveled to Delray Beach to combine a restful beach trip while mixing in memorable action for our two pre-teen kids. The bus drops you off right in front of the Pinball Hall of Fame, takes about 20-30 minutes, and costs only $1.25 each way.Second in length only to Alaska, Florida has a huge coastline when accounting for both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. That’s about a $20+ cab ride, or take the bus from the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard & Tropicana. The Pinball Hall of Fame is located at 1610 East Tropicana ( map it), about three miles away from the strip. It’s not a big moneymaker - and it’s not designed to be - but their website shows the checks issued every month. All profits from the Pinball Hall of Fame go to support the Las Vegas Branch of the Salvation Army. Most of everything you’ll see is recycled from somewhere else. ![]() No high brow decorations, uniforms, marketing plans, or art to convince you to spend even more and more money. In fact, there is no focus on making a profit here. An interactive museum with popular & rare pinball, arcade & amusement games from the 1950s to the present. Here you can have fun - whether you win or lose. The Hall of Fame has 4,500 square feet of wall to wall pinball machines that, unlike many slot machines, will have cheering and laughing. the bells, whistles, and bumpers of pinballs fill the air at the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, while on display is the world’s largest pinball collection.
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