Lewis Townsley, 14, will be testing his barefoot water skiing skills at the European Championships this month
A Howden schoolboy who joined a water ski club for “a bit of fun” has been chosen to represent his country. Lewis Townsley, 14, has been selected for Team GB in the sport of barefoot water skiing.
This extreme form of water skiing relies on the soles of your feet, rather than a pair of skis, to skim the surface of the water, being towed by a speedboat at speeds of up to 40mph. Lewis, who is a member of British Water Ski & Wakeboard, has developed his talent for the sport by taking part in the organisation’s Cutting Edge programme.
Cutting Edge offers people new to the sport a chance to try it out, develop their skills and progress to competition level. There are bronze, silver and gold award levels to achieve; Lewis attained silver, which is a discipline-specific award (his being barefoot water skiing) which develops basic skills and helps in the mastering of a number of skills and tricks.
Lewis, who first discovered his love for the sport at White Cross Water Ski Club, Cawood, near Selby, said: “I was learning to water ski with skis and saw someone doing it barefoot and really wanted to try it. It’s like sliding across water at speed, it’s ace!”
The teenager went to the British National Championships this July and was positioned silver, with “greatest achievement” recognition. As a result of this, he was offered a place with Team GB.
Lewis’s mum, Kate Lamming, said: “It all started for Lewis as a bit of fun when he went to White Cross with his dad. He saw one of the guys doing barefoot water skiing and thought he’d have a go.
“He’s taken to it like a duck to water. They’ve been coaching him since last year.”
Kate said Lewis had continued to progress and had “really pushed himself” this year. The schoolboy will be taking part in the 2025 European Junior, Senior & Open Championships, which run from August 13 in Saint Prest, France, as part of Team GB.
“Lewis competes at under-17s junior/boys level,” Kate said. “He does barefoot tricks and slalom but he’s not at the jump stage yet.
“We’re thinking he might be the youngest member in the team. He’s hopeful of getting to the World Championships in 2026.”
Lewis is a student at Howden School. The school posted on Facebook : “We are so proud of Lewis in year 9. Representing Team GB in barefoot water skiing! What an incredible achievement – WOW! Next stop European Championships.”
Lewis is hopeful of gaining sponsorship to continue his barefoot water skiing journey. His mum said the wetsuits Lewis needs, for example, cost around £500 as they are specific to the sport with special padding.
Anyone who would like to support Lewis or find out more can find him on Facebook at Lewis Townsley and on Instagram @lewiswaterski. He can also be contacted by email at lewisGBbarefoot@outlook.com