By David Andrews
IT looks like Wacky Water Play in Nagambie has hit the right notes with the park's soft opening off to a great start.
Sunday, January 22 saw a 'come and try day' at the new on–water fun park.
There was a steady flow of all ages coming through the gates.
Some had found the shade and sat under a tree, watching the grandkids exhaust themselves, but most were out there on the equipment, having what appeared to be a great time.
The weather Gods were smiling as it was a perfect day.
26 degrees, light breeze off–shore and the water temperature was just right.
As you move around the floating platforms and through the various obstacles, the first thing you notice is it is quite challenging mentally and physically.
Keeping your balance, working your way through and over and across, takes a bit of energy.
It reminds me of Ninja Warrior, on water.
Park manager Sinead Hughes was on–hand to ensure it was a smooth opening, as was Paul Cox, the site manager.
Paul and his crew have done extraordinary work to get the park to where it is today, having had a few obstacles to contend with themselves.
Nothing worthwhile comes easy.
The Park will be open seven days a week from 10am until 7pm.
A dedicated staff of 20 will supervise activities and ensure 'safe fun' is the order of the day.
The staff will be trained in first aid and CPR by Life Saving Victoria and will receive updates as required.
Life jackets are provided and are to be worn on the water.
Now $5 gets you a nifty addition, grippy socks, that you can purchase and keep, for future visits.
A couple of budding ninja warriors I spoke to, highly recommended them for balance and grip.
$25 gets you a fifty minute workout and you can go around again, in a double session, for $40.
Discounted family, all day and annual passes are also on offer.
An advanced electronic locker system is also on–site to store your valuables and you can top up your phone in the ones with a USB point.
The attractions are catering for people five years and older for the on–water fun, however there is a pretty 'cool' kiddies park within the park.
Like a jumping castle, but with plenty of safe activities inside.
Watching the participants, I reckon they got more than their money's worth.
The park will be kept afloat and active until April and close until the September holidays, where it will spring to life again and remain open through Melbourne Cup weekend, Christmas, January holidays and so forth.
When asked about park security, Sinead said a strategically placed and monitored (24/7) CCTV system, will cover all aspects of the Park, when not operating.
Roving security patrols will drop in randomly out of operating hours and the local police will visit during their patrols.
Will Yeap is one of the Wacky Water Play Nagambie directors who I spoke to.
I was curious about the less than ideal start they had had to the season, with COVID, floods, rain and more.
Will was upbeat, saying this was a long term business, 15 to 20 years and beyond, so they are not too worried about early minor setbacks.
Nagambie's park is bigger than their Lakes Entrance park with more on–water activities and challenges.
He also said that the parks were quite "green", with no fossil fuel based motors required.
Recycled materials have been used where possible.
The materials used are durable and will take plenty of heavy work, over many years much like 'zodiac' dinghy material.
Resident Blake Campbell had brought down his kids Bobby (5) and Billy (7) for the Park try out.
Blake had barely fastened their life jackets and they were off.
Bobby reckoned it was "really fun and cool."
I couldn't catch up with Billy for a comment, as he was up and down the 8.7 metre slide, which is the central attraction.
I mistakenly thought the Park was for the younger cohort, but there were quite a few 'mature' funsters who showed you only need to be young at heart to keep having a good time.
I will be the first to say the jury was out for me about how viable and popular the park would be.
I am pleased to say it appears I was well off the mark, and if today was any sign of things to come, then it will be a very successful and pleasant addition to Nagambie.
Well done Wacky Water Play.