Competitors from Germany, Holland, Austria, Britain and Ireland take part in the European Barefoot Water Skiing Championship in Cavan.
Some of the best waterskiers in Europe showed their skills at Lough Sillan near Shercock in County Cavan. The athletes demonstrated a range of water ski techniques while being pulled by a speedboat. They stand upright, jumping, hold hands, and ski backwards and backwards on their stomachs. Some compete with no water skis.
Competitors from Holland, Britain and Austria took first, second and third prizes respectively. Breffini Ryan and Lee Healion of Ireland took 9th and 10th places.
No matter what the science suggests, barefoot skiing is no cakewalk.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 September 1980. The reporter is Deirdre Purcell.
