OVER the last six weeks young adults from Fairway Fife have started their journey into the sport of waterskiing at Townhill.

It's a peer mentoring charity, involving people with learning disabilities from 16 years of age, and aims to encourage and support access to social and leisure facilities.

With that in mind a group of young adults headed to Town Loch, Waterski & Wakeboard Scotland’s national training site, for a six-week block from May into June. Neil Freir from Fairway Fife said: "It’s been amazing working in partnership with Town Loch.

"The coaching staff adapted each of the six sessions to suit the needs of everyone taking part.

"It’s been brilliant watching everyone grow in confidence, developing new skills and having so much fun."

The pilot scheme consisted of an introductory afternoon, a tour of the site and the chance to watch some of the elite athletes train, meet the team, volunteers and members and then have a short session so they could experience the sport.

By the end, all eight were extremely proficient on the water, learning new skills, making new friends and enjoying a facility local to them, that they cannot wait to come back and do all over again next year!

Chris Heron, director and head coach at the national training site, said: "It has been a fantastic six weeks with the young adults, their peer mentors and the team at Fairway Fife.

"There has been nothing but laughter and smiles when we have been out on the water - no matter if the weather was warm and sunny or cold and raining, they got stuck in!

"A big thank you to Neil from Fairway Fife for all his help with this pilot and of course the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust for their funding award to support the delivery. Without this it would not have been possible."

As well as the fun and excitement of learning to waterski and wakeboarding, the young adults were able to develop their communication, social and relationship-building skills.

This was achieved by allowing them to work closely with the coaches, volunteers and members of Town Loch, improving their self-confidence and personal development in the process.

Chair of the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, Janet McCauslin MBE, added: "The trust is very supportive of initiatives which encourage young people to improve their health and wellbeing.

"We are delighted that our grant award allowed the participants the opportunity of learning new skills while having fun, in and on the water."

Fairway Fife want to make a positive difference by recruiting professionally supported and committed volunteers who can support their members on their exciting journey.

By using a variety of activities as a vehicle, caring relationships can be formed and both members and peer mentors' lives may be enhanced from the benefits gained, helping them all to achieve their highest potential.

Neil added: "We are already looking forward to working with the team at Town Loch to create more inclusive opportunities for young adults of all abilities.

"A massive thank you to Chris and Tegan for making this pilot such a huge success."