About
— ABOUT US
The IrWWF
The Irish Waterski and Wakeboard Federation is a 32 county National Governing Body for all types of Towed Watersports, including Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, Barefoot Skiing, Wakeskating and Kneeboarding on the island of Ireland.
The IrWWF is run by a seven person Committee of Volunteers who work on behalf of its members to promote the sport and to support its affiliated Clubs throughout the Island. The Federation is recognised by Sport Ireland and is affiliated to The International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation.The Irish Waterski and Wakeboard Federation is a limited company and has a Board of Directors who oversee and guide the Committee.
The Committee is made up of a President, Secretary, Treasurer, Waterski Official, Wakeboard Official, Women in Sport Official. The Committee meet regularly and is committed to ensuring the growth and spread of the various disciplines throughout the country. We currently have 13 affiliated Clubs from the top of Derry to Cork covering all disciplines.
The Irish Waterski and Wakeboard Federation is committed to Equal Opportunities, and has adopted a policy which enshrines this in our Codes of Governance:
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY
The Irish Waterski and Wakeboard Federation believes in Equal Opportunity and as such the Board and Committee will rigorously observe the principles and actively pursue the objectives set out in the discharge of their responsibilities so that this policy is fully implemented.
Our Mission is to promote, support and expand Towed Watersports on the Island of Ireland and to support our Athletes in competitions both Nationally and Internationally.
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote, support and expand Towed Watersports on the island of Ireland and to support our athletes in competitions both nationally and internationally.
Presidents Past and present
— ABOUT US
History of Federation Presidents
Kenny Scott
Chris Owen
Geoff Shanks
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Lil Fitzpatrick
Lil Fitzpatrick
Richard Armstrong
Richard Armstrong
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Stuart England
Stuart England
Stuart England
Chris Owen
Barry Galvin Sr
Barry Galvin Sr
Des Burke-Kennedy
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
Des Burke-Kennedy
John Prunty
John Prunty
Andy McQuiggan
Paul Carroll
Paul Carroll
Paul Carroll
Paul Carroll
Paul Carroll
Cornelia Krausz (6 months) & Paul Carroll (6 months)
Paul Carroll (3 months) & Simon Durham
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
— ABOUT US
The People
Directors 2023
Dave Zebedee
Prof Jackie Bates Gaston
Patricia Byrne
David O’Caoimh
Rob Skelly
Management Committee 2023
President: Simon Durham
Waterski Officer: Graeme McKibbin
Secretary: Cormac Collins
Treasurer: Brid Deegan
Wakeboard Boat & Cable Officer: David Zebedee
WIS Officer: Elmarie Van Breda
Non-Committee 2023
Anti-Doping Officer: Paul Carroll
Archivist: Stuart England
Barefoot Officer: /
Coaching Officer: Andy McQuiggan
Data Protection Officer: Cathal O’Caoimh
Disability Inclusion Officer: Cormac Collins
Equality Officer:
Governance Officer: Cathal O’Caoimh
Health and Safety Officer: Paul Carroll
IT Officer: Cornelia Krausz
National Safeguarding Officer: Jackie Bates Gaston
Technical Liaison Officer: Andy McQuiggan
— Trophies
Cianne Naji
1991 – 2013
Cianne was passionate about wakeboarding and about life. Having taken up wakeboarding at an early age she went on to win the ‘Open Women Division’ of the Irish National Championships in 2009 and subsequently competed on the Irish National Team in both European and World Championships.
Sadly, in January 2013, Cianne lost her life to Cystic Fibrosis at the age of only 21. In her honour, Cianne’s family presented a perpetual trophy to the IWWF to be awarded annually to the best up and coming female wakeboarder or water-skier under the age of 21.
The best tribute to Cianne is from her closest friend and professional wakeboarder, Nicola Butler, who describes Cianne and her passions far better than any attempt we might make. See below.
— Trophies
Richard Armstrong
1962 – 1993
Past President IWWF and Captain Irish Water Ski Team (1989)
Richard Armstrong was one of the founding members of the Lough Aghery Water Ski Club, Hillsborough, Northern Ireland. His fondness for the sport was enormous and the amount of time he put in on the administrative side was way out of proportion to the time he spent on the water. He did it because of his passion for the sport and the many, many people from all parts of Ireland that became his close friends.
Richard was a three-event skier with a bit of barefoot on the side, and nothing gave him more joy than running the slalom course in tournament. He was also gutsy and never shy’ d from the jump in spite of taking some big crashes.
It was his organisational skills and his desire to promote water-skiing to a wider audience that set him apart from others. In the mid 80’s he was the driving force in running a jump event on the River Lagan in downtown Belfast. He was the non-skiing captain of the Irish Water Ski Team which travelled to West Palm Beach in Florida 1989 and became President of the IWWF in 1990. He was a long-standing member and Chairman of the Northern Ireland Water Ski Association and was involved in the amalgamation of both Associations, which is now known as the IWWF.
Richard was also an accomplished competitive boat driver and took enormous pleasure when an athlete achieved a PB or even an Irish Record when skiing behind him.
He was the Managing Director of Wilsons fruit and vegetable importers in Northern Ireland and would start his day at 4:00am to ensure the bananas were at the right temperature. This of course put him under a little pressure later in the day. His energy and enthusiasm were renowned and was famous for taking a 30-minute nap at the dinner table, before setting off for more night time adventure.
Sadly, Richard got sick while his wife Heather was in hospital with their first and only son Ryan. What was initially thought to be a flu was in fact meningitis. Richard never recovered and only got to see and hold his child for a fleeting time. 25 years later Richard is still missed by family and friends alike. His memory in the water ski fraternity is paramount and this Trust will ensure it lasts forever.
Meningitis is inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord – the meninges. Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs and is the more life-threatening form of the disease. Septicaemia can occur with or without meningitis.
Untreated bacterial meningitis is almost always fatal. With treatment the risk of death is reduced.
Symptoms Checker. Meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours - know the symptoms. The first symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion.
Tumbler Test-press a clear glass firmly against the rash. If the marks remain clearly visible seek urgent medical help immediately. Check the entire body. Look for tiny red or brown pin-prick marks which can change into larger red or purple blotches and blood blisters.
Treatment is determined by the cause of your meningitis. ... Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent brain damage and death. Bacterial meningitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics. There's no specific antibiotic for bacterial meningitis.
