Last December 26, I went to Republ1c Wakepark with my mom and my brother to try it out. We were looking for an activity we could do as a group since it is rare that all three of us are together. The place is located at this address: West Diversity Boulevard, Nuvali, Calamba, Laguna.
Getting there
There's no way of getting to this place by public transportation. You would really have to have a private car. The place is difficult to get to since the map provided on the website is not the detailed. We tried the navigation via Google Map but we were asked to go through a route where only vehicles with Nuvali stickers can pass through. We had to turn back and look for the entrance where outsiders can enter. It is inside a subdivision so you would have to leave your driver's license at the entrance.
Rates
We arrived there at around noon and was surprised to see that there were lots of guests already. We then went inside to check the rates.
Day rate: 0830 - 1730
1 hour pass - 250
2 hour pass - 475
4 hour pass - 595
8 hour pass - 995
Night rate: 1800 - 2200
1 hour pass - 350
2 hour pass - 600
4 hour pass - 800
We opted for the 1 hour pass since we are new and just want to experience how it is to do this activity. Aside from the "cable rates" above, you would also have to rent the life vest and helmet (if you don't have your own) and the RFID band. The RFID band is where they put in the number of hours for you paid for. I don't know why it has to be an RFID band when there were no device to tap it into or anything. It could have been a regular bracelet of sort and it would have done the same purpose.
Life Vest and Helmet - 600
RFID - 200
The fees for the life vest, helmet and RFID are refundable so it's really the cable rates that you would have to spend on. The helmets and the RFID are in good condition. The life vests on the other hand are almost wrecked.
The Park
There are lots of obstacles for enthusiasts in the park. I really don't know these terms but after checking their website, there are obstacles such as kickers, step-up rails, flat bar, roof top and skatebox among others. There are actually 13 different obstacles you can choose from.
Ammenities
There is a restaurant in the venue where you can buy food and drinks. I did not get the chance to see though if they serve alcoholic beverages. There are limited number of tables available for the resto though as most tables are occupied by the companions of those who are wake-boarding and some tables are just used as "lockers" as stuff are just laid down there.
They also have a big changing room and shower area. The area is pretty dark considering we were there at noon. Lights are very limited. There are around 6-8 shower stalls but there were only 2 that were working! Most stalls have the shower handle broken off so you really can't use them. This is really disappointing since the park in itself is big so there has to be a shower area that can handle the volume of guests.
Service
Customer service is lacking in this area. It was pretty obvious at the onset that it was our first time to do this activity and we were not informed by the receptionist on the amenities on the park. We had to find it our for ourselves. We actually went to try to wakeboard on the "professional" area with disastrous results. We were later informed by the operator that there was an area at the back where beginners like us can try out.
Another item to take note of is security or lack thereof. As mentioned earlier, the tables at the restaurant are already being used to just leave stuff around as the guests take turns on wake-boarding and some are used by the companions. These companions don't have to pay anything to enter the park, which means that basically anyone can enter the park! There were no guards roaming the area, no CCTV so thieves can easily steal from bags or bags themselves that are left unattended.
My brother told me that they may be short staffed that day as it is the holiday season. I cannot accept this if it is indeed the case. Dec 26 is not even a holiday and guests deserve good service no matter what day.
Conclusion
I would definitely go back here given the chance. Even if I was not successful in completing a turn, I still had lots of fun. I got to try something new and bonded with my mom and brother as well. The areas for improvement was not enough to dampen the fun that I enjoyed at this place.
Go try it out yourself and tell me it went for you!
