A CIRENCESTER pupil is due to represent Great Britain at the European Championships of a unique sport.

Jasper Poulton-Stowe, aged 15, is heading to the Netherlands to compete at the IWWF Europe & Africa Championships for barefoot water-skiing next week. 

Jasper who lives in Ashton Keynes and goes to Cirencester Kingshill School previously won two silver medals at the 2024 British Barefoot Nationals.

He currently trains at Cotswold Water Ski Club in South Cerney.

The championships are due to take place at Maurik from Wednesday, August 21 and August, Saturday 24.

Barefoot waterskiing at a competitive level is not for the faint-hearted. 

As the name suggests, the competitors do not use skis but only their bare feet on the water. 

They are towed by a boat which generally travels faster than for other water ski disciplines, reaching speeds of up to 45 mph.

Like regular water skiing, barefooters compete in the three events of slalom, tricks and jump. 

Barefoot water-skiers (L-R) Arwen Entract, Jasper Poulton-Stowe and Ben Sullivan - who all train in South Cereney - will compete in the European Championships next week  (Image: British Water Ski & Wakeboard)

Also joining the GB team is Ben Sullivan, aged 21, from Cheltenham who trains at Cotswold Water Ski Club.

Ben is a three-times overall British Champion in the junior boys’ category and is currently ranked number one in Europe in the under 23 men’s category.

In addition, Arwen Entract, aged 23, who trains at Cotswold Water Ski Club will also compete in the European championships. 

This will be Arwen’s first international competition representing GB.

Arwenl, who is originally from Woking, was the 2024 British Barefoot Nationals Open Women’s slalom champion.