Sunday evenings of my childhood are punctuated by memories of sitting in London-bound traffic jams on the M3. Just before the M25, there is a big roller coaster, practically on the motorway (Thorpe Park), and next to it are two former gravel pits. I am not a roller coaster
girl, and have never had any urge to visit Thorpe Park, but the Sunday evening waterskiers – the lake, the wetsuits, the ski jump, they seemed utterly glamorous and James Bond-esque. I envisaged bottles of champagne on ice at the water’s edge.

Last weekend I persuaded my husband and children that it would be a good idea to give it a go and we turned off the motorway to join the Sunday waterskiing fraternity at John Battleday Waterski. Sadly, there was no champagne (alcohol is prohibited); and the look is more boarder than Bond but there is certainly a scene on the water. Skiing is distinctly uncool. The groovy thing to do is to wakeboard. There is a wakeboarding cable tow that whizzes you round the lake. I didn’t quite get the point of it but that is clearly because I am middle aged.

There are heaps of kids (from about 8+) and a fantastically popular weekend kids’ club on Saturday and Sunday mornings for ages 6 to 15. Tanned beach bums sort out wetsuits and we pass the ‘beach’ and uninspiring café en route to the waterskiing boats at the back of the lake. There is a real sense of space and a good holiday vibe.

You pay for skiing either in 15 minute slots (£24) or for a half day course (kids £45). Fifteen minutes is longer than you imagine. A reluctant Davy (aged 9) is first up. The boat is fitted with a long bar that comes at 90 degrees off the side of the boat. He slips into the water and holds onto the bar for dear life. I am feeling a bit guilty for forcing him in. Off, away, up! A look of total exhilaration is written all over his face. Once he was confident on his skis, a short rope was looped round the end of the pole so he could learn the feeling of being pulled up out of the water without being miles behind the boat. Again, he popped up instantly. He was keen to start off the back, but the driver sensibly said it would be better to leave on a high. Our 7 year old daughter had similar success.

Then Rob and I had a go – I had learnt to ski in warmer seas but had not tried to heave myself out of the water for at least 15 years. John Battleday himself took us out (suitably weatherbeaten – he had the air of someone who has spent most of his adult life on or near a boat). Passionate for his sport, and a huge and eloquent advocate of the benefits kids can derive from skiing and boarding, he put us through our paces. As my body creaked into a wobbly tuck behind the boat it seemed inconceivable I was going to be able to come out of the water but, amazingly, it really is like riding a bike and seconds later my face has the same expression of glee as my son’s half and hour previously. By Tuesday, muscles were aching I had long forgotten existed but it was well worth it. An exhilarating and totally different day out that we all enjoyed.

John Battleday Waterski, Thorpe Road, Chertsey, Surrey
Tel: 0870 6061270 www.jbski.com.
Log onto www.britishwaterski.org.uk to find your nearest club.