Benidorm’s iconic cable ski celebrates 60 years of thrills and memories

One of Benidorm’s most recognisable sporting landmarks is celebrating a remarkable milestone this year, as the city’s famous Cable Ski marks 60 years since it first welcomed riders onto the waters of Levante Beach.

Opened in 1966, the attraction has become far more than a watersports facility. It has introduced generations of visitors and locals to water skiing and wakeboarding, helping cement Benidorm’s reputation as a destination that offers much more than sun and sand. Today, it remains the world’s oldest operating cable ski built over the sea and the only one of its kind in an open-sea setting.

Over six decades, millions of people have taken to the water from its famous platform, with beginners, seasoned athletes and holidaymakers all sharing the same experience of being pulled across the Mediterranean by the electric cable system.

Honouring the Visionaries

The anniversary is also being used to recognise the people who made the project possible.

The main platform will officially be renamed the Humberto Armas Cruz Platform, paying tribute to the entrepreneur whose vision brought the innovative attraction to Benidorm during the city’s tourism boom in the 1960s. His wife, Edith Langheinrich, who played a key role in establishing and developing the business, will also be honoured during the celebrations.

Commemorative plaques are being unveiled during a special ceremony, ensuring their contribution becomes a permanent part of the attraction’s history.

A Summer of Celebrations

The anniversary festivities will continue throughout the summer.

On 12 August, visitors and former riders will gather for a celebration featuring music, a barbecue and family activities. The date has been chosen to coincide with a solar eclipse, adding another memorable backdrop to the occasion.

Later in the year, from 18 to 20 September, the Cable Ski will host an open competition welcoming participants of all ages and abilities. Organisers say the event is designed to recapture the friendly atmosphere of the competitions that helped build the close-knit community around the attraction decades ago.

Still Making Waves

While Benidorm’s skyline has transformed dramatically since 1966, the Cable Ski has remained a constant fixture in the bay.

Originally introduced as a pioneering way to make watersports more accessible, it has evolved into both a training centre for competitive athletes and a popular holiday activity for first-timers. The family behind the attraction continues to run the business today, keeping alive a tradition that has entertained visitors for six decades.

As Benidorm celebrates another busy summer season, the 60th anniversary serves as a reminder that some of the city’s greatest attractions are those that have stood the test of time, continuing to create unforgettable memories on the Mediterranean year after year.