Playground on the River
BY MICHAEL RIVERA
Click image to view
When John Eagal purchased two adjoining properties on the San Joaquin River near Tracy, he simply wanted a place that would exemplify the halcyon days of his youth in Stockton.
“It’s hard for even me to grasp the scale of this project,” Eagal said, during a recent tour of the property. “It’s so different. I’m trying to put things back to how it was when I was a kid.”
Eagal, a former state and regional water skier champion in the American Water Ski Association made his mark running Eagal Island water ski school on the San Joaquin Delta for 25 years.
Not even he could have predicted that his nearly 200-acre property would be transformed into a premiere membership-only sports and family resort. With two lakes spanning 2,000 feet in length, a separate fishing lake and nearly 5 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, white sandy beaches with volleyball, bocce ball and basketball, there is simply nothing like Eagal Lakes in the region.
It's clear, however, that water sports is the main attraction, and the resort doesn't disappoint. Wakeboarding enthusiasts can choose from five riding rails, from a beginner rail 35 feet in length and 18 inches above the water's surface; to the Widowmaker, an impressive 55 feet in length and 5 feet above the surface of the water.
The adjoining water ski lake features a jump ramp that can be configured between 5 and 6 feet high and is AWSA certified. Best of all, a state-of-the art water ski boat is provided, so members do not have to bring in their own boat.
“But this is just the beginning,” he said. For the non-water enthusiast, there is even more on the horizon. When Phase II is completed, members will have use of tennis courts, a softball diamond, swimming pool, and an environmental education center. The crowning touch will feature an exclusive Tuscan-style clubhouse, with a beautiful view of California sunsets for hosting weddings and other events.
Eagal is equally excited at the prospect of bringing school children to the resort to share his love of the outdoors. “Most kids nowadays don’t run out and play like we did,” he says. “The educational opportunities are endless.”
The unique sports resort is private, set up to be similar to a membership at an exclusive golf and country club. The initial membership fee, along with a monthly maintenance fee provides members a lifetime enjoyment that provides them with year-round use of the resort. In the off-season Eagal Lakes will continue to host member events at the facilities. “The winter months are some of the most beautiful days and evenings at the Resort”, states Eagal. “The sunsets are fabulous and an evening bar-b-que, complete with music and a bonfire create the most relaxing evening for our guests.”
“It’s hard for even me to grasp the scale of this project,” Eagal said, during a recent tour of the property. “It’s so different. I’m trying to put things back to how it was when I was a kid.”
Eagal, a former state and regional water skier champion in the American Water Ski Association made his mark running Eagal Island water ski school on the San Joaquin Delta for 25 years.
Not even he could have predicted that his nearly 200-acre property would be transformed into a premiere membership-only sports and family resort. With two lakes spanning 2,000 feet in length, a separate fishing lake and nearly 5 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, white sandy beaches with volleyball, bocce ball and basketball, there is simply nothing like Eagal Lakes in the region.
It's clear, however, that water sports is the main attraction, and the resort doesn't disappoint. Wakeboarding enthusiasts can choose from five riding rails, from a beginner rail 35 feet in length and 18 inches above the water's surface; to the Widowmaker, an impressive 55 feet in length and 5 feet above the surface of the water.
The adjoining water ski lake features a jump ramp that can be configured between 5 and 6 feet high and is AWSA certified. Best of all, a state-of-the art water ski boat is provided, so members do not have to bring in their own boat.
“But this is just the beginning,” he said. For the non-water enthusiast, there is even more on the horizon. When Phase II is completed, members will have use of tennis courts, a softball diamond, swimming pool, and an environmental education center. The crowning touch will feature an exclusive Tuscan-style clubhouse, with a beautiful view of California sunsets for hosting weddings and other events.
Eagal is equally excited at the prospect of bringing school children to the resort to share his love of the outdoors. “Most kids nowadays don’t run out and play like we did,” he says. “The educational opportunities are endless.”
The unique sports resort is private, set up to be similar to a membership at an exclusive golf and country club. The initial membership fee, along with a monthly maintenance fee provides members a lifetime enjoyment that provides them with year-round use of the resort. In the off-season Eagal Lakes will continue to host member events at the facilities. “The winter months are some of the most beautiful days and evenings at the Resort”, states Eagal. “The sunsets are fabulous and an evening bar-b-que, complete with music and a bonfire create the most relaxing evening for our guests.”