IRISH WATER Safety (IWS) chief executive, Lt Cdr John Leech has described as “extraordinary” the behaviour of a young wakeboarder in Co Offaly.
He made the comments after viewing a video of the young man skiing on the Grand Canal near Tullamore.
The man was being towed by a vehicle travelling along the bank of the canal.
Egged on by his friends, the young wakeboarder manages to stand up for almost a minute as his friends look on from the moving vehicle.
“It’s pretty extraordinary stuff,” said Lt Leech, who said he had witnessed video clips of similar behaviour taken in the Netherlands but this was a first for Ireland. He admitted that the individual involved was, “clearly a good wakeboarder”.
The brief video entitled, “Wakeboarding the canal Tullamore, part 1”, was posted on YouTube three months ago. One of the vehicle’s occupants has the foresight to stop as they approach a pole on the canal bank.
Lt Cdr Leech has forwarded the video to the Inspector of Navigation as he believes the activity is in breach of the Grand Canal Act.
“It is hazardous both for themselves and other users of the towpath,” he said.
While he condemned the actions as foolhardy and irresponsible, Lt Cdr Leech advised anyone engaging in similar activity to wear a helmet and lifejacket.