Down Recorder

Elementary Mr. Watson

A Killyleagh water-skier is on the crest of a wave after picking up gold and silver medals at an international event in England.

Rodney Watson, who won a European silver medal in France in July, made a splash at the Tallington Lake Championships in Peterborough two weeks ago, leaving the competition trailing in his wake.

Rodney won a silver medal in the master craft open class and raced to gold in the international seniors event. And if all that wasn't enough, the Killyleagh man has also secured a new sponsorship deal with a local business and is looking forward to a bright future. He said he is "absolutely thrilled" with his latest medal success which he puts down to hard work, dedication and plenty of practice.

Rodney, who started skiing on Strangford Lough when he was just 19, did not take up competition skiing until he was 24, but what an impression he has made since then.

He is currently the top-ranked water-skier in Ireland and has smashed the All-Ireland skiing record on 10 occasions. He has also won the Irish slalom championship five times.

A member of the Lough Aghrey and Meteor Water Ski Clubs, the Killyleagh man already has a host of medals adorning his Annesfield Park home and says he isn't finished yet.

The amateur sports-man only gets to practice during his spare time, which is primarily in the evenings and at weekends and he travels all over the world competing. Recently, he spent three weeks in the United States.

Although the Lottery and Northern Ireland Sports Council provide Rodney with his main sponsorship, he has to find additional money to ensure he can keep competing at the highest level.

To help him, Mr. Tony Davies of the Strangford Lough Brewing Company, has provided Rodney with a major sponsorship boost.

Mr Davies, the firms managing director, said Rodney is a "credit to Killyleagh" and is a sportsman who is promoting his home town.

"People should be proud of Rodney's achievement and his success. It is a shame that a sportsman of his high calibre has such a low profile. However, the Strangford Lough Brewing Company hopes to change that and provide him with the recognition he currently deserves," he added.