Sarasota or Miami?

[SCBrips]

Which is better for wakeboarding? Are there more places to ride in one than the other? I have a job opportunity in Florida and need to chose between Sarasota or Miami. Any information about these cities is appreciated.

[jpminter]

Apparently Sarasota makes you wakeboard better. Search around for some videos of Criag-R and david-d. Those guys tear it up.

[LFADAM]

SCBrips, I think david-d and craig-r implied that there is some good riding in Sarasota but its in salt water.

I dont know too much about Miami riding. I used to live an hour north where there are a few nice lakes but as for Miami im not sure. I hear a place called "Markham" mentioned a lot which I think is in Ft. Lauderdale which is very close to Miami. Try looking into that. I dont know how far OWC is from Sarasota but you have a cable park less than 1 hour away from Miami (Rixen) if your into cable. Lake Ida is pretty good but thats 1 hour north. (Del Ray)

[kmagnuss]

Wakeboarding aside...I would choose Sarasota (wait, I did). Miami for me is way too congested and has too many dirty parts. Sarasota for the most part is pretty laid back, still has a nice (and growing) downtown area, and doesn't have the crime that Miami has. The business growth in Sarasota right now is also quite good. That being said...nobody can make the final decision for you, and making that decision solely on what a few people say on a wakeboard forum is not the smartest thing in the world to do. You should do some demographic research, but most importantly just visit each one and see which one gives you a better vibe. As for riding...we have a few secret spots nearby...the problem is that you have to be willing to either drive a little bit (half hour to an hour) or ride in salt/brackish water. Good luck with the move man, if I can help in any way PM me.

-Keith

[SCBrips]

[Wakeboarder700]

wooo sarasota is awesome

[kmagnuss]

[Wakeboarder700]

hahaha yes he does

[Craig-R]

i chose both (sarasota for summer, miami for school at UM), if you have a boat of your own to use, both sarasota and miami shouldnt be hard to find places to ride, but overall im sure miami has overall more skilled riders due to the population and due to sarasota's major surplus of old people. OWC is two hours away from sarasota but i heard the cable park near miami sucks soooo either one that you choose, send me a PM because im in both places

[david-d]

Don't PM Craig he'll use your boat and never give you gas money

[beau_bushnell]

I bet both places will have more then enough of wakeboarding for you.

[Craig-R]

david-d,

beau_bushnell, you post too much

[PimpinD2]

whats up SBC, hope the move is going well. If you still havent decided on a location im gonna try and convince of miami. Personally ive visited sarasota, and lived in miami, and go to school with david-d. You dont wanna end up like him do you? haha jk dave, how bout that health class with gordie....

anyways miami seems to have much more of party scene than sarasota and what not, dunno if you still into that. Do you know in what part of miami you will be working and living? The grove is super nice and coconut grove / coca walk is very laid back and fun with lots of bars within 10ft of each other. If you work downtown, you might wanna look at an apt in Brickell, also a really nice a quiet place to live. Brickell still has its own nightlife and very close to the clubs and bars of downtown miami (pawn shop, metropolis, flow, I/O lounge etc...). On the other hand if you are working down south, or pinched for cash pinecrest and that area (127th and further) is really nice also, and though not as laid back as the grove, it quiet non the less.

Now for your real question, wakeboarding...
Like sarasota you have limited choices, if you have your own boat you can trailer it either to the grove marina or the key marina and within 15 or 5 mins from each respective marina you can be at a super nice spot to ride at with a view out of this world. Plus if you bring chicks you can take em for a stroll up the miami river whos entrance is close to the spot. On the other hand, assuming you have a boat and dont wanan ride in salt water, there are 2 or 3 lakes which you can go to. The 1st is Blue Lagoon (LeJune and 22nd) its kinda small and what not but no one is ever out there and the jet skiers ten to stick to the other areas of it. ITs located behind the airport and has a nice line with no sea walls on the far side. Other than that there is a private lake called E lake, which you need residence on to use. If you were wiling to pull some of my friends or me when i get back, i coudl give you name to my friend who's parents jsut bought a house on E lake and you woudl be more than welcomed to use it. During the week the lake is empty and on weekends there a few peopel out there, over all its alot of fun.

My preferrence, the bay. Though its salt water you cant be the view. The lakes are nice but not quite like those in orlando so it leaves alot to desire. Anyways if you have any questions hit me up.

Here are some pics of the bay...

[david-d]

PimpinD2, hahaaa yeah that was great...gordie RULES

...and no, you dont want to end up like me.

[PimpinD2]

ha yea real great, specially when you didnt show up to our 1st of 2 day presentation hahaha. What did you end up getting in the class? i managed a B+ though missed the 1st week and never got higher than a 70 on the tests. I think when i told him i lived with josh palma he boosted my grade a good 50points.

Hows the riding going, im over in italy for a couple months so ive been lacking it. Josh blew his knee out in oregon so hes gonan be out for a while too....

[david-d]

I'm riding alot with Craig, my friend in Sarasota... I failed Health and wellness haha oh well... too bad I don't live with josh, i could have used the 50 points. Italy must be tight though, I saw you're doing something with a cruise line?