Two boat wake athletes are in China to represent Great Britain at The World Games, the multi-sport event for non-Olympic sports or disciplines. Two BWSW waterski athletes will also compete internationally this week.

Charlotte Millward will compete in Boat Wakeboarding and Christine Bickley in Wakesurfing (skim) at The World Games. The event has become the most important multi-sport competition globally after the Olympics and takes place every four years. The 2025 edition will be held from 7 to 17 August in Chengdu.

“It’s a huge privilege. It’s also something that I never imagined I would be attending,” Christine says. “Whenever I wear my Team GB uniform, I feel a big sense of pride in being able to represent my country.”

Christine usually competes in the Veterans category and won a gold medal at the UK Nationals this year in Over-40s women, but The World Games is an open competition for all ages.

“I think I’m probably old enough to be everyone’s granny,” she adds.

Christine Bickley. Photo: IWWF

Charlotte, a former Junior European Champion and two-time National Champion in wakeboarding is delighted that the sport is being represented at The World Games and that she has been selected for GB.

“I’ve been competing for a long time and I’m so glad that the time and effort I’ve put in for the years leading up to this has paid off,” she says. “It’s definitely one of my biggest achievements in wakeboarding and something I’ll never forget.”

Charlotte Millward. Photo: Mark Osmond

The World Games 2025 will also include cable wakeboarding but there are no British athletes taking part. Waterskiing, which has been a featured sport in the past, is not represented this year.

You can find out more about The World Games and the schedule here. 

Charlotte Millward. Photo: Mark Osmond

Two British waterskiers are also representing GB abroad this week. 

They are in Austria for the 2025 IWWF European Open Championships, which will take place at Salmsee. The competition starts on Thursday 7th and ends on Saturday 9th August.

Amber Butterfield will compete in all three disciplines of slalom trick and jump while Charlie Emmett will compete in slalom only.

Amber Butterfield

Charlie Emmett. Photo: Johnny Hayward

Find the schedule and follow their results here.