DAN Nott is quite literally riding on the crest of a wave.

The 17-year-old from Chislehurst made a triumphant return from South Africa where he spent two weeks competing in the European and World Wakeboarding Championships.

In the European title, Dan performed superbly to win the gold medal and his efforts helped the Great Britain squad win the team prize.

Dan then went on to take an excellent bronze in the World Championships when he opted to compete in the highly competitive open, rather than junior, category.

Wakeboarding for those not familiar with the sport, is akin to water skiing but a wider board, like a skateboard, is used.

Wakeboarders are towed by a speedboat containing three judges who give marks for three categories composition, execution and intensity with aggregate scores determining the overall positions.

Dan said: "There are no set routines and the composition element requires each wakeboarder to perform five freestyle manoeuvres.

"Depending on how well you score, the boat then turns and cuts across its own wake, creating a much bigger one which enables you to leap much higher and perform far more difficult tricks.

"It was very thrilling to go to South Africa. I would probably have won the World title if I had entered the

junior event, but I chose the open category and to have won a bronze against the best all-aged competitors was, I feel, a big achievement."

But success is nothing new to Dan who, in his first season of competitive wakeboarding, won European and British junior golds in 1998.

He has also successfully defended his British pro-tour title for the past two years, which comprised of a series of five events at different venues around the United Kingdom.

It's said . "you need to start 'em young", and they certainly did in the watersport-mad Nott family when Dan first took to water-skiing at the age of just four!

Dan said: "I participated in various watersports, but about six years ago I first tried wakeboarding and I soon realised that was the type I preferred."

In Britain, competitors usually receive equipment for their achievements. Dan, though, did receive financial support for his trip to South Africa perhaps surprising considering the minority nature of his sport.

He added: "I am very grateful to the British Water Skiing Federation, who covered the full cost, and they have also backed trips to Europe.

"I would also like to thank my two main sponsors. Mastercrafts, a boat-building company, who provide cash backing and Bodyglove for their supplying of equipment including wet suits."

So how does Dan combine wakeboard training and competitions while maintaining his studies at Cooper School?

Dan said: "It's difficult. I have taken a fair amount of time off school to compete, including a week for the trip to South Africa.

"But the school authorities have been very understanding. During the winter training stops and this helps to give me the chance to catch up lost schoolwork.

So, what does the future hold for Dan?

He added: "I am doing A-levels in IT and accounts, but I would like compete on the American professional circuit.

"Wakeboarding is massively popular over there, particularly in Florida, and the prizemoney is very good."

November 27, 2001 11:50

Kevin Impey