Aqua park to benefit from ventures like Eden Project

WATERSPORTS and aqua park Wild Shore Dundee expects to reap the benefit from major investments in the city such as the Eden Project.

The City Quay attraction has already seen a big rise in staff numbers since opening in August 2017.

Expansion of the activities on offer has seen the initial team of seven now reach 35 part-time and full-time instructors.

The site attracts up to around 2,000 customers a week.

Operational manager Craig Gunn said that when the attraction – originally known as Foxlake Dundee – began operating there were just two wakeboard cables and some stand-up paddleboards.

He said: “We only offered a few activities in our first season.

“However, in 2018, we installed Scotland’s biggest aqua park and this allowed us to take on much larger groups and offer activities for everyone.

“The aqua park is our huge inflatable obstacle course which we have successfully expanded again this year, adding a variety of new obstacles – including a floating trampoline.

“We also offer cable wakeboarding – one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.

“Traditionally, wakeboarding was carried out behind a boat – but cable wakeboarding allows participants to take part in a relatively small body of water and is well known to be much easier to learn.”

Also on offer is stand-up paddleboarding and a large inflatable ring that pulls participants up and down the City Quay.

Wild Shore Dundee is owned by directors Callum Mark, James Barbour and Malcolm Gillies.

Craig said: “Our aim throughout all our activities is to be as accessible as possible.

“Because of this we get customers of all different age ranges and abilities.

“You can take part in our aqua park activities from six years old and with no age cap.”

Craig said current and future investments in the city are a great opportunity for the business.

“The likes of the Eden Project will be just a few minutes’ walk from us.

“All of this is very exciting, and will hopefully prove to be a great addition to Dundee.”

The Eden Project is predicted to create 200 direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs and contribute £27 million a year to the regional economy when it opens by 2026.

The tourist attraction is to include walled gardens, and draw on the history of Dundee’s Nine Incorporated Trades.