A waterski and wakeboard club in Egham, Surrey, has been left devastated after its specialist boat was stolen from its site in the early hours of Monday morning.

CJM Ski & Wake, based at Longside Lake, is appealing for help in tracking down the ski boat which is used by both club members and visitors, and is regularly used to teach children and adults with a wide range of disabilities.

Leading waterskiers from the UK, among them World Champions, have rallied to support the club’s founders Chris and Elle Mullins.

"It’s been a devastating few days for us” Chris Mullins said.

“Just before 4am on Monday our Nautique 200 waterski boat was stolen from the lake and, so far, we have no leads. It contains specialist waterski and disabled learning kit that is irreplaceable.

"The colour scheme is very distinctive so please keep a look out for it and if you have any information, please contact us or call the police on 101."

The boat has a grey and green hull. It is believed to be the only one of its kind in this colour scheme in the whole of Europe. The thieves broke into the secured site, put the boat on its own black and brown trailer and drove away. Cameras spotted the boat being driven from Longside Lake along the Thorpe Bypass just before 3.50am on Monday 17th July.

“This type of boat is used only for the sport of waterskiing and wakeboarding,” a spokesperson for the national governing body, British Water Ski & Wakeboard said. “We are a minority sport and a very close community so we are hopeful that if the thieves try to sell it in the UK, it will prove impossible for them, not least because the boat is so recognisable.”

CJM Ski & Wake is the country’s newest site offering waterskiing and wakeboarding. It opened in April 2022 and husband and wife team Chris and Elle have worked hard to establish perfect conditions for everyone from complete beginners to world-class athletes. Earlier this month 24-year-old GB waterskier Joel Poland, the reigning World Overall Waterski Champion and world record holder, visited the lake to train.

Freddie Winter, the 2017 World Champion in men’s slalom and currently one of the world’s best slalom waterskiers, said: “All of us in the British waterski family are doing everything we can to get the message out about the theft of this boat. These unscrupulous thieves have deprived the club, the local community and many others who travel some distance to enjoy the facilities at CJM Ski & Wake.”

Taylor Woolsey is a Pro skier from the USA who lives in Surrey and is a member at the lake. She was competing on the professional circuit in Italy only this past weekend.

“These guys have worked so hard to build such great facilities for both my family and anyone looking to enjoy the amazing sport,” Taylor said. “Personally, I have seen people of all ages and disabilities enjoy the lake.”

Glenn Campbell, who is a World Championships silver medallist for GB, is also a regular visitor.

“The loss of this boat is a big hit for our sport in the UK, and also Chris. They have worked hard to build the grass roots side of the sport, and they work closely with British Water Ski & Wakeboard on training and disability awareness. Getting this boat back will not only help this but show how strong we are as a community.”

Surrey Police have urged the public to be on the lookout for the boat.

“If you have seen one appear in unusual circumstances or see it offered for sale please send us a direct message quoting reference 45230079425,” they said on the Runnymede Beat (Surrey Police) Facebook page.

“Please share into as many resident and enthusiast groups as you can and make it too hot to handle.”

The stolen Nautique 200 was purchased new in 2022 and is in pristine condition.

CJM Ski & Wake is hoping to be back on the water soon, thanks to the promised short-term loan of another boat.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

For more information please contact:

Chris Mullins on 07894 153395 or chris@cjmskiandwake.com

Jane Peel, British Water Ski & Wakeboard Head of Communications on 07802 496927 or jane@bwsf.co.uk

Photos can be found in the dropbox link below. Please credit the photographer where shown.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/iapooweqotdrp3l/AACSKNEYpypvz-GytMRKpWZxa?dl=0

British Water Ski & Wakeboard (BWSW) is the sport’s national governing body and a non-profit making membership organisation. All its income is invested in developing and protecting water skiing and wakeboarding across the UK from the grassroots to our top athletes.

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