Extreme Ogden — Railroad city rebuilds itself through extreme sports

The FloRider is a double-wide, indoor standing wave, which simply means rushing water flows uphill over a trampoline-like surface at about 20 miles per hour to create a perfect wave. This wave can be surfed upright on a FloBoard or horizontally on a BodyBoard.

The wave can be sectioned off into two lanes, one for surfers and one for body surfers.

It's easy, said Casey Nielsen, vice president of operations, "But, there's a real learning curve. People do crash. Some really good athletes have come in, thinking they'll master this first time out, and they struggle. It takes getting used to.

"It's different and it's popular. We get individuals, families, birthday parties and even businesses that will bring in their employees either before or after a business meeting."

The IRock is a 55-foot-high indoor climbing wall offering rope climbing, bouldering and route selection ranging from very easy to extremely difficult.

To promote family involvement, "We encourage parents to become belay certified so they can belay their children. While the children climb, the parents are holding the rope. Interestingly enough, it creates a real bond between parents and children," Nielsen noted.

The IFly wind tunnel is another new concept in adventure sports. It is only the 10th built in the United States, with the next closest being in Denver.

"And," said Nielsen, "it is the only wind tunnel in the U.S. sharing indoor space with a surfing wave."

Fliers, in jumpsuits, helmets, soft-sole shoes, goggles and gloves, step into a circular chamber with a prevailing up-draft ranging from 60 mph to as much as 170 mph.

The tunnel is the next best thing to weightlessness while free-falling during a sky dive adventure or getting sent into space. On first flight, an instructor helps fliers become suspended, then helps them maintain a position as they float.

More experienced fliers go with a higher wind speed and can ascend a couple of stories instantly and descend just as quickly. They can also sit, stand, spin and roll, all of which take time to master.

Also in the center area there is a state-of-the-art bowling center, video arcade and snack centers.

Outside the center, within a few minutes drive, there is a man-made lake that, in the summer, is suitable for a world-class water-skiing competition. The lake covers 70 acres and will someday include a half-mile-long slalom course that Godfrey said could be the site of the 2011 Water Ski Championships, "if all goes well."