Just finished submitting my application for graduate schools for the University of Florida and I plan on attending UF if approved. Assuming I'm approved, what is the wake scene at the local lakes around there? I know there are three or four cable parks in Florida, what are the closest ones? I'm in Kentucky now, and have only been to Florida a couple of times in my life, so I'm stoked to move down and ride year round. Any info or websites to check is appreciated.

Cable Park links below...McCormick's is probably an easier trip down I-75. I don't know the scene up in that area at all, but we ride an hour South of there pretty often on Lake Weir. <BR> <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.skimccormick.com/" target="_blank">http://www.skimccormick.com/</a> <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.orlandowatersports.com/" target="_blank">http://www.orlandowatersports.com/</a>

Hey Cory - I used to ride on Taylorsville Lake every evening years back when I lived in Louisville. I loved that lake! Lots of good memories out there. <BR>Ive heard there is a wake scene in Gainsville - UF may even have its own collegiate wake team or club, seems Ive heard people mention it from time to time on here. <BR>That said - I live 30 minutes south of Gainsville and typically head to Orlando or Tampa every weekend to ride. Occassionally Kat is nice enough to tow up to Ocala and I get a driving break!<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0>

I went to UF for grad school as well. When I was there the school had its own wakeboat and you could schedule times to go ride at Lake Wauberg...and it is included in your student activities fee! Fortunately, I actually brought my own boat with me, so we spent a lot of time at Lake Alto...to this day my most favorite lake on earth. Check to see if the UF Wakeboard club is still active, there is a lot of networking to do there, meet other people with boats. OWC is the closest cable park for sure.

Ted- Yea man, Taylorsville is a great lake to ride at. The Boatworks crew have really pushed the scene down there. Even on weeknights its not uncommon to see 4 or 5 wake boats pulling people. The weekends get a little crazy now because of all of the Louisville people coming down to go boating and tubing. <BR> <BR>Kat- Thanks for the links. I'm really looking forward to pushing my cable and rail riding once I get down there. <BR> <BR>Timothy- Its covered in the student activity fee! that is insanely awesome! I will definitely see if I can look the wakeboard team up and start networking. I just hope graduate school allows me enough free time to get some shredding in. <BR> <BR>Thanks to all for the information...keep it coming.

I remember when Boatworks was starting to get going. I was at the first Tourney they did at Taylorsville. Im glad to hear the scene is progressing. I also remember the lines at the ramp - Im sure they are worse now. That Chevron on the corner had the best PBandJ sammies!! <BR> <BR>Taylorsville was always better than riding the dirty Ohio!

I'm going to UF next year too and I checked out the scene a little. Lake Wauberg is good for sure, you can get 1 set per week wth your student activity card behind a new malibu 21 vride. Then on the other lakes around there I'm sure there is a scene but I haven't talked to anyone who is a part of it. <BR>I am a local at McCormicks this year and will definitely be making the trip down there every couple of weeks, you are welcome to come with.

Lake Santa Fe with your own boat or the Universities Lake Wauburg plus a bunch of little lakes in between. You'll love it. Trips to Orlando and the St. Johns River are a must. I would ride in morning before classes and weekends. Except for a couple cool months, the water and weather will be great. <BR> <BR>Its said you spend 4 years trying to graduate then the rest of your life trying to get back. There's some truth to that. Good luck and Go Gators!

Hey I'm on the UF wake team so if you ever need information about riding when you're up here let me know. Facebook is the easiest way to find me. <BR>But if anyone has a boat that they ride on besides the school's Malibu it would be a lot of fun to head out and ride on a different wake sometime.

I went there a few years ago. and will second the Lake alto comment. Best public lake in the area. if you can get on Cowpen that it is a bit better typically. Santa Fe is nice on occasion but it is much more crowded and it can be hard to find good water.

If anyone wants to ride in Gainesville during the week let me know. I typically am out of town most weekends but would love to ride more early evenings during the week. Lake Alto is really high now and perfect to ride on. I have an Xstar just need gas!! Shoot me an email Shawn@goldenhammerinc.com.