[Back
to Lakes page ]
Location:
The Aquaplex is located approximately 6 miles east of I-35.
Take the FM1327 exit on I-35 and go east to Fm 1625. Turn
right on FM 1625 and go ¾ miles until the road veers
to the left. Veer left for one mile and the site will be
on your left.
Lake
Web Site
The Site:
Aquaplex was designed specifically to accommodate competition
water skiing at the "World Record" level. It was
built on a 60-acre site in 1985 with dual lakes occupying
approximately 36 acres. Lake level is maintained by run-off
from a 1600 acre watershed. A lake length of 2500 feet provides
generous set-ups for each of the 2 record capability slalom
courses and jump course. Lake widths range from 250 to 330
feet while lake depth is in the 8 to 10 foot range. Shorelines
are sloped at a 10:1 ratio to eliminate roll-back of boat
wakes into the courses.
Every skier knows that water is a little different everywhere.
Some ski very fast, others seem overly slow. The physical
properties of the water itself can make as big of a difference
in the quality of skiing performances as the actual design
of the shorelines and set-ups. Aquaplex enjoys a reputation
for "easy" water. It's high to medium viscosity
offers dependable declaration in the turns while allowing
excellent acceleration behind the boat. It's water that
can really help "hold" slalom or jump skis when
the skier needs it most. The lake slalom record of 6 @39
½ off stands as sufficient proof of the quality performance
possible at this state of the art, built for skiing site.
The slalom lake contains judges' towers, which are 3 meters
above the water and located at 44-degree angles to the entrance
gates on each end of the course. Submerged magnets installed
on the entrance gates and boat guides facilitate electronic
timing. The course is record capable, made up of buoys attached
to individual screw anchors, surveyed in before the lakes
were filled. Prevailing southeasterly winds have been limited
by aggressive landscaping program. More than 250 trees have
been planted on the shoreline which are fed throughout the
summer by 8,000-foot drip irrigation system. Bald Cypress,
Sycamore, Ash, Cottonwood, and Crepe Myrtle offer both shade
and wind protection for skiers and spectators alike.
The jump/ trick lake is equipment with permanent trick
judging towers that meet IWSF specifications and an elaborate
3 box video jump measurement system that enables world record
accuracy measurement on all jumps in the range of 20 to
260 feet. The 2500-foot lake provides the set-ups required
if world record jump distances are to be achieved. The jump
course is considered one of the safest in the United States
with the ramp located approximately 40 meters from the nearest
shoreline and water depths in 8-10 foot range.
A scoring tower, with excellent view of both lakes, is
located between the lakes on the north end. The lower level
of the tower houses a concession stand for skiers and spectators.
Officials and staff may be comfortably accommodated in
an air-conditioned clubhouse resting between assignments.
Spectators:
There is virtually no limit to the number of spectators
the site will accommodate. 30 acres of parking space is
available and more could be borrowed from neighboring fields
if necessary. Viewing acres on the east side of the slalom
lake and west side of the jump lake and on the land separating
the two lakes will easily accommodate 50,000-60,000 people.
Tournament History:
Aquaplex has been the site of many major record capable
events. Aquaplex was the host of the 2000 US Open water
ski tournament. The South Central Regional Water Ski Championships,
each with approximately 300 competitors, were held at the
site in 1991and 1995. The Creedmoor International Cup, in
1998, the U.S. Collegiate Nationals, in 1995 and many other
regional tournaments e.g., Collegiate Team Trials and South
Central Conference tournaments hosted by Southwest Texas
State and The University of Texas.
[Back
to Lakes page ]
|
