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Site's Home Page: http://www.austinaquaplex.com
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.
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.
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