About

INTRODUCTION

The watersports industry has branded the type of facility Thrill Village will be opening, a Cable Park/Cable Wakeboard park.  The Thrill Village facility will allow five to ten participants at a time to Waterski, Wakeboard, Kneeboard, and Wakeskate on our 10 acre manmade lake without the use of a boat via towing cables running approximately 30 feet above the water.  Thrill Village will allow beginners and experts of all ages access to watersports in a safe, clean, and professional environment without the costly need to purchase or use a boat.  Thrill Village will draw in experienced riders and first timers alike by providing a facility that supports individual patrons, parties, meetings, and team-building activities.

 

Thrill Village will offer public access to towed watersports via two cable systems. The first cable will cover a large 10 acre man made lake.  The second system is constructed of two towers spanning a single body of water.  On both lakes, participants will be towed by a Sesitec cable system which sits 30 feet above the water, suspended by two or six towers consisting of fine lattice construction that blends virtually seamlessly into the background preserving the natural landscape.  Cable systems allow participants to enjoy towed watersports without a noise and air polluting boat.  These systems have a maximum decibel reading of 55db, which is below normal human speech.

 

Thrill Village's facility will also support an air-conditioned watersports retail store that will carry a full range of watersports products from select manufacturers.  Thrill Village will also provide rental equipment consisting of wakeboards, waterskis, kneeboards, wakeskates, helmets, lifejackets, and wetsuits.  Adjoining to the pro and rental shops will be an air conditioned indoor lounge and restrooms where family members can relax, watch television, surf the web on free Wi-Fi, and watch their family members enjoy the services and experiences Thrill Village offers.  This retail store and lounge atmosphere will be very similar to golf pro-shops and lounges at ski resort lodges.

 

 

HOW PARTICIPANTS RIDE

Participants grasp a handle at the end of a rope. These ropes hook to carriers that will pick up and drop the ropes automatically at the starting dock where a single cable operator controls the system. Riders wait their turn in line holding onto a handle, as an empty carrier connected to the overhead running cable passes, it hooks onto the rope and gently pulls the rider off the dock and onto the lake. The feeling is comparable to being pulled up and out of the water by a boat.

 

 

FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCED

Beginners simply circle the lake and enjoy the ride.  Intermediate and advanced riders have the opportunity to edge out and test their skills on floating grind rails and ramps that are similar to those in skate and snowboard parks.  The cable park model is similar to snow resorts in many ways, both ski resorts and cable parks offer the opportunity for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders to enjoy the sport with varied terrain in a community environment.

 

   

ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS

35 countries around the world host cable parks because of the economic and ecological benefits that cable systems provide.  In Europe, the towed watersports market had trouble growing because of the ecological restrictions that are placed on lakes and waterways, and the high price of fuel needed to power boats.   With the increase of available cable systems, the number of watersports participants has significantly increased in Europe and helped take pressure off the environment by creating a “green” solution for people to enjoy towed watersports. 

 

It takes little power to operate the cable system.  It is estimated that the electric drive motors only consume an average of 10kw per hour.  It takes an average of 5kw of power to dry a single load of laundry.  The electric drive motor operates virtually silent.  The motors peak decibel reading at the motor tower is 55 decibels, which is below the level of normal human speech. 

 

The cable system towers are constructed out of fine lattice that is not obtrusive.  In addition, the parallel running cables blend virtually seamless into the background allowing the natural landscape to be preserved.  Cable systems insure that a high oxygen supply is delivered into the water.  Between fallen riders swimming and water movement created by riders breaking the surface as they cruise around the lake, it is estimated that five tons of oxygen is delivered into the water per year creating excellent water quality for fish and other wildlife.

 

Across the globe, cable watersport parks are thriving and becoming more popular.  It is only in recent years that this form of the sport has reached the United States.  Currently there are149 cable parks operating in the world, 55 in Germany alone, and only 11 parks in the United States are hosting full cable lakes.  

 

Thrill Village has recognized a strong demand for a cable park in the midwest Region of our proposed location.  This demand has been expressed by those currently involved in the watersports community and the region's supporting demographics.  With easily accessible statewide interstate access, it will be convenient for travelers to make Thrill Village a destination.  Thrill Village will market it's services and products equally to first time participants and experienced riders of all demographics.  Experienced riders will enjoy the jumps and grind rails Thrill Village offers, while first time participants will enjoy experiencing the sport without an expensive investment in a boat, fuel, insurance, upkeep, long-term maintenance, and the hassles associated with boat ownership. 

 

PROVE IT

It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Please take a few minutes to browse our website and check out the pictures and video.  This will provide you with a general introduction to cable watersports.  In addition, a search for Cable Wakeboarding on Youtube will generate similar results.

 

   

WHO IS BEHIND THRILL VILLAGE?

Thrill Village is the vision shared and under relentless pursuit by Ross Dantonio and Nick Schimmoeller.  Ross and Nick met at Bowling Green State University while participating and operating BGSU's  Waterski and Wakeboard Team.   

 

Ross and Nick have over 20 years of combined experience in the water and action sports industries.  In addition to in depth knowledge of the action sports industry, they posses a highly developed skill set, including, graphic design, marketing, sponsorship/business relations, retail, trend prediction, apparel and web design, building construction, site development, heavy equipment operation, welding and metal fabrication, general mechanics, site planning/layout, and commercial building management.

 

Utilizing Ross and Nick's arsenal of skills as Thrill Village's Chief Visionary and Construction Officers.  The team has brought Frank Dantonio on board as Chief Financial Officer who was previously a top partner with the international tax accounting firm  Deloitte & Touche LLP, and is currently the managing principal of Multistate Tax Service, LLC.  Together the three are making the necessary preparations to construct and operate the premier cable watersports facility in the United States.  

 

 

 

Interested in hearing more or becoming a member of the Thrill Village Team?  If so please contact us.