In association with Coleraine Borough Council and Lower Bann Partnership, Waterways Ireland Riverfest will be coming to Christie Park Coleraine on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th of June.

The weekend will see a feast of activities and stunts from special guests such as World Champion Waterskier Andre de Villiers from the Republic of South Africa and Dr Janet Gray, MBE, World Disabled Waterski Champion and Northern Ireland Personality of the Year. Andre is known all over the World as one of the very best barefoot waterskiers of all time. At the humble age of 20, Andre has been Junior World Champion and has broken a number of World Records in the open men categories and is most famous for a number of specialist tricks, while known as one of the biggest barefoot Jumpers in the World.

Janet, who lost her sight a number of years ago and has been waterskiing at an extremely high competitive level and doing stunts and displays at shows that most of us only dream about doing; her displays are not to be missed!

Janet was kind enough to give an exclusive interview, talking about her experiences and what Riverfest means to her. When questioned why she initially took up water sports, Janet answered; “After I lost my sight, I tried Waterskiing for fun with my husband, as I had always been a keen swimmer and a life saving coach. So I found it opened up a whole new life for me again. The freedom it allows me as a blind person, when I am out on the rope and doing the exact same as everyone else, it gives me a sense of freedom and independence. I am now doing stunts with my coach and that sense of achievement is a lovely feeling, to be the same as every other skier.”

Janet’s life revolves around her love for water sports; she added, “After I competed in 1997 I have become a full time water-skier for the country which is part sponsored by Sport NI in the athletes programme, allowing me to train full time and I am also an athlete with the Sports Institute as a full time amateur”.

Janet is looking forward to exhibiting her skills on the Bann this coming weekend, she continued, “I think the event is fabulous as it encourages people to view water sports in a different way and even try it, especially when we have so much water around the province. Waterskiing is a wonderful sport and I hope that this event will encourage adults and children to start the hobby or develop their skills into a great full time sporting activity”.

The weekend event will run from 11am to 11pm on Saturday 14th and from 1pm to 6pm on Sunday 15th June. The displays and entertainment have been specifically provided for the whole family to enjoy, with stunts, shows, live music and firework display and of course bouncy castles and the climbing wall, all free for the family to enjoy. Coleraine Borough Council, supporting Fun Free Events for all the family to enjoy.