For the first time in more than two decades, the UK has hosted the IWWF European & African Cable Wakeboard and Wakeskate Championships and the home nation was rewarded with two medals. 

They included a spectacular silver for an adaptive athlete taking part in her first international wakeboard competition. Hannah Tomsett took the runner-up spot in the Ladies’ Seated category at the Championships, held at Whitemills Wake & Aqua Park in Sandwich, Kent.

In September 2023 Hannah won a silver medal in slalom at the World Disabled Waterski Championships in California, USA, but this was her first time representing GB in cable wakeboarding after she took up the sport relatively recently.

Hannah Tomsett

She is the first seated rider to be selected to compete for her country in cable wakeboarding. Hannah had taken just 14 practice sets in a cable park before the Championships.

“It’s been a steep and painful learning curve but also sooo much fun and pushing my limits,” Hannah said. “I have been surrounded by some great coaches and friends at different lakes to help along the way so far. Team GB took a chance on me, having a complete rookie in the team but I couldn’t have asked for a more welcoming team.”

Ladies' Seated Podium

Hannah was working as a snow ski instructor in Canada in 2014 when she went down with an illness which left her physically disabled. A few years later she learned to waterski seated in a ‘sit-ski’ at the Edge Adaptive Centre, run by the charity, Access Adventures, in Staines. Look out for our interview with Hannah in the summer edition of the BWSW Magazine.

GB’s other medal at the Championships came in the Open Men Wakeboard category with Kieran Owens picking up the bronze.

Kieran Owens

Suzi Nightingale, Chair of the BWSW Cable Council, said they were grateful to Whitemills Wake & Aqua Park for giving the UK the first opportunity in more than 20 years to host the European & African Championships.

“The standard of riding was absolutely insane, the quality of the site and facilities were second to none and complimented on by all the visiting teams,” she said.

“The competiton was organised to the highest level and started off with a marching band and athletes marching through the town of Sandwich which saw all the locals getting involved, then onto three days of intense competition.

“All the Team GB riders rode at the highest level and we were rewarded by achieving two podium results. This event has put Cable Wakeboard back on the map in the UK and we are very excited for more.”

Open Men Wakeboard Podium

Sixteen countries from across Europe were represented at the IWWF European & African Championships, with 72 athletes competing.

PHOTOS: Mantis Pro Media