Dozens of the UK’s top water skiers are in action in Burnham-On-Sea this weekend when a round of the UK’s national water skiing championships is held.
Over 50 water skiers will be action during the two-day spectacle over the Easter weekend, as first reported here by Burnham-On-Sea.com in January.
It will be the first time that the UK’s national water skiing championships have been held in Burnham since 2007.
Saturday’s fog-delayed racing saw the UK’s top youngsters in action, while Sunday’s races will start at 10.45am and will see the UK’s leading adult skiers in Formula One, Two and Three competing. There will also be further races for ladies, juniors and vets. The main race of the weekend will start as 12.15pm on Sunday.
Big crowds of spectators lined Burnham seafront in 2007 to watch the action when scores of high-powered speedboats sped across Bridgwater Bay with skiers in tow. This year’s event will again be free to watch.
Organiser Steve Bird, pictured right, told Burnham-On-Sea.com he’s delighted that top-flight water skiing is back in town.
“The event will be the first selection race for the world championships in Australia this September, so there will be lots of pressure on the racers to do well, which will mean plenty of great action for spectators,” he said.
“Depending on weather conditions, we could see the formula one crews touching approx 100 miles per hour! There will be fierce competition this year as the team captain and committee will be there to select teams and skiers to represent the British Team in Australia later this year.”
“In the South West, we have some very competitive teams. In particular, Toby Duggan and his team, The Lions from Woolavington, near Burnham, will be in the junior category.”
“Toby is one of the competitors who is hoping for a place in the British team and he is a very promising contender for the team. He has won his category for the fourth year on the trot and gives the adults a run for their money in the main race when he competes in it!”
Pictured above are the scenes at last year’s water skiing trials and organiser Steve Bird with local water skier Toby Duggan and supporter Steve Cox from Middlemoor Water Park
