A teenage water skier from Burnham-On-Sea is jetting off to Australia this week to compete in the World Water Skiing Championships – and he was given a big send-off by friends and family on Saturday (August 27th).
Toby Duggan, 16, will be representing Great Britain in the under 17s section of the prestigious competition in Brisbane.
His friends, family and supporters gathered at Middlemoor Water Park on Saturday night to wish him luck before he boards his plane.
Toby’s qualification for the team is all the more remarkable because he broke his leg in a water skiing accident in the Spring, putting him out of action for six weeks.
“I’m both nervous and excited at the same time to be taking part,” he told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“It will be an honour to represent the country at such a big event and I’m really looking forwards to it.”
“I will be competing over four races on September 10th, 12th, 15th and 17th and hope to do well.”
Among those seeing him off on Saturday were the British Water Skiing Federation’s Tony Williams and Derek Blackmore, plus Mike Waterman, President of the European section of the International Water Ski and Wakeboard Federation.
Family members wishing Toby well included Steve and Julia Cox plus Burnham trainer and family friend Steve Bird.
“Everyone’s got their fingers crossed Toby does really well – he’s had a difficult year and deserves success,” Steve told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
