Ctrl+Alt+RIO | Alternative guide to Rio de Janeiro: #18

Wake Rio: a Lagoon lesson

One of the wonders of the city, the Lagoon Rodrigo de Freitas appears as a great option to practice some summer sports, like wakeboard. Splash!!!

The hoven is on! Oh yeah, the summer arrived, and for what it seems, it not only came to shine, but to burn. Beaches and streets crowded, traffic is blocked, and that sensation of trance in complete chaos and a heat so strong that can fuc** up anyone. What about the lagoon? Oh yes the lagoon. Once owned by the portuguese Rodrigo de Freitas still enlightens as some sort of Oasis in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. Apart from being only a postcard scenery, it also comes up as the ideal option to practice some sports. Especially, if you're into an adventure: a wakeboard session, also known as the "Professor Marquinhos Lesson".

Although not very well treated, our lagoon of salty water has become a trademark for the city. Not even the young man from the portuguese cavalry could imagine or justify such tribute. The fact is that, nowadays its disputed by sportsmen of regatta, naval clubs, paddle (why not?) and by the furious motorboat of Rio Wake Center, the name of the "school", a project of Marquinhos. “I practised all modalities of water skying in the USA, plus slalom and barefoot. However, after I was familiar with "wake", I wanted to take this sport to Rio, since it was very poorly explored" states the instructor and pilot of the motorboat.

“Playboy Sport!”, we can even get it. But such prejudice is justified by the lack of conditions to purchase the board and other expensive items demanded by the sport, such as the motorboat. But, actually to be able to slide in the lagoon waters, "workout your physical condition and have a good dosage of emotion and maybe give it a go on the tricks" as described by the professor. R$200 reais/hour (with all equipment included) are worth it, even more if you divided it with friends (good suggestion). Which means that your twenty minutes can cost R$50, almost the price of the massage you're gonna need after your lesson! Prepare yourself for the falls!

Besides getting to know the lagoon from the inside, with diapers and fishes includes, have a few falls and go for a boat ride, the class of professor Marquinho is valid for the mystic lessons learned. For those who are interested in sport, is a great opportunity to learn, as the specialist in the topic says: "To have the opportunity to practice wakeboard in one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world, in the heart of Rio it's a privilege. I guarantee that even for people who have never practice wake before, will be able to improve in a few minutes. The pupils always go satisfied and broken, but they still come back" jokes around Marquinhos! Let's check it out!! Good after massage!!