WakeScot 1st August 2009
There is huge anticipation amongst UKriders for this year’s WakeScot,
Scotland
’s leading wakeboarding event.
The cold and rather awful October weather in 2008, when the inaugural WakeScot event was held is a distant memory now and all riders are looking forward to a sunny August weekend from now on.
Main organisers Active Scotland have fully embraced the fact that Scotland needs a wakeboarding event that is not only fun to be part of but promotes sports participation for all.
After Barry, my brother and partner in the business, had a chat about it we decided to create an event that would hopefully cater for all level of rider.’ Indeed last year saw a great turnout which surpassed their expectations and confirmed a need for a well organised and well supported event.
This year WakeScot hopes to attract even more rider entries in the U16’s, Rookie, Open Men and Open Women categories and further details can be found on the WakeScot web site. The event is being held at Lochearn Water Sports Centre, Lochearnhead where anyone who can remember around 50 years ago was the same place the 1963 Northern European Water Ski Championships were held with representation from eleven countries and over 10,000 spectators where every accommodation provider in a 15 mile radius was booked.
Last year it was only the local hotels that were fully booked out because of WakeScot but it did give the local economy a boost in the winter months.
The event has attracted some big names to support it who share a synergy in the sport and its development in the UK .
Ben Connelly highlighted that, ‘Rockstar Energy drink has long supported wakeboarding in the USA .
We are super excited about bringing that great partnership over here and supporting WakeScot which we believe is fast becoming one of the best wakeboarding events to place in your diary.’
One of the events greatest needs was building a partnership with a wakeboarding boat company and WakeScot have managed to secure support again from Simon Waring of Wake and Ski Boats UK.
Simon said, 'Having supported WakeScot last year in it's first year there was no hesitation in offering my personal support this year along with providing the boat for the event again.
Matt and Barry are doing a fantastic job on introducing new people to the sport and maintaining the openness to all levels for the competition, something I feel strongly about. Good work guys, keep it up’.
WakeScot has also caught the eye of local company Morrisons Landrover where Andrew Morrison comments, ‘WakeScot reflects the life styles and brand values that Morrisons of Stirling and their Franchise Partners associate themselves with such as adventurous, innovative, guts and authenticity. We are happy to once again be part of this event.’
Part of the enjoyment last year for riders was also from the support received from other companies such as Buff Headwear, Reef, Water Sports World, CWB, Connelly, Kiltie Campers and Xtreme Gene Spain where all our podium winners were kitted out with leading names in outdoor and lifestyle gear.
Andrew Cruikshank, a local rider on Loch Earn, was delighted with his goodie bag. ‘I wasn’t really expecting this so it was great that I came third in the rookie category but getting all this gear too was brilliant.’
Even though the event is only in its 2nd year it has being endorsed by both Waterski Scotland and British Water Ski as a platform for promoting wakeboarding in the UK.
Matt commented by saying, ‘We are really chuffed that both the governing bodies in the UK have seen our event as something to support. We hope that with this kind of endorsement we will attract the UK audience we are aiming for.
Our event this year also promises to be even bigger with a VIP area for invited guests, a DJ marquee with special Rockstar drinks promotions and an all day BBQ so if you are looking for a day out at the start of August then why not head to Lochearnhead for a feast of air tricks, spectacular tumbles and a great party atmosphere.’
