Dundee’s brand new wakeboarding centre at City Quay has officially opened with adventure sports enthusiasts expected to swarm to the city for high-octane water sport.
Foxlake Adventures, the company behind the facility, hosted an opening event on Friday at the City Quay site with MSPs and local councillors in attendance.
Harris Academy pupils were given a free opportunity to get out on the water as well as catch a glimpse of world champion Scottish wakeboarder Blair Fraser.
At the end of April, the Dunbar-based outdoor activity company was given the green light to open the site by the city council as part of its waterfront development plan.
It was initially hoped the centre would be open for summer peak season but construction delays meant the launch was pushed back by around a month.
Foxlake chairman Malcolm Gillies said he “knew straight away” he wanted to set up in Dundee when he saw the site at City Quay.
He said: “When I saw it I just knew. It’s perfect.
“There are a few other similar wakeboarding sites in the UK such as in Manchester, Liverpool and London and this one is up there with them. We are delighted to be here.
“We felt it was important to get local children involved with what we’re doing here too because we want it to be open to all.
“We have been involved with schools in Edinburgh and East Lothian which has been great and we want to do that in Dundee too.”
The Victoria Docks base includes support accommodation, a harbour gangway, west harbour access pontoons and two separate towing cables for riders.
A spectator-orientated sport, large crowds are expected to visit the area to watch both learners and more advanced participants, particularly during competitions.
James Barbour, director at Foxlake, said he was already feeling a “really good vibe” in the area.
He said: “There’s great positivity already around the opening of the centre. We are so pleased to be finally opening.
“It has been a really quick build. We’ve obviously had snags like any construction work but we have got there in the end.
“It is the fastest growing water sport in the world and it only narrowly missed out on becoming an Olympic sport recently.
“We think it will be really popular here. One of the main aspects we are focusing on is trying to encourage kids to get involved too as we realise not everyone can afford to take up sports like this.
“It is great to see the school pupils here having a go already.”
Three school pupils from Harris Academy were given the opportunity to try out the sport as part of the special event.
One of the pupils, 17-year-old Jack Crerar, said: “I have never tried anything like this before.
“It was really difficult but really fun. I would say standing up was the hardest part of it. I would definitely try it again though.”
The centre already has its first bookings with teaching sessions to take place throughout the weekend.