Wake-boarding fans set for event

The sport involves riding a board while being pulled by a boat

Hundreds of people are set to gather at Loch Earn in Perthshire this weekend for the area's first ever wake-boarding championship.

WakeScot 2008 will see contenders from as far afield as Spain take part in the competition.

Wake-boarding is a water sport which involves riding a board behind a boat using a combination of water-skiing, snowboarding and surfing techniques.

The event will begin at 1000 BST on Saturday.

Organisers Barry and Matt McGrandles, of Active Scotland Ltd, said they hoped the event would help establish wake-boarding as the water sport of choice in Central Scotland.

European competitor and one of the UK's best known boarders 21-year-old boarder Dan Jordan will also attend.

Barry McGrandles said: "Securing a respected name like Dan Jordan, who has close links within the sport at a European level and a big following, sends out a strong message about our intentions to be taken seriously as a water sports centre of excellence."

Competitions will begin at 1400 BST, with entrants marked on their creativity, tricks and manoeuvres.

There will be four categories - Under 16, Rookie, Open Men and Open Women.