Nick Lodge, from Brigouse, needs to raise £775 by Monday after being selected to represent Great Britain in the Europe and Africa Barefoot Championships in South Africa.

The White Rose Water Ski Club member is looking for sponsorship from businesses or individuals to help fund his tour after only finding out on Monday that he would have to pay for his own accommodation.

The 21-year-old will be out there for two weeks. He will train for a week before the four-day competition against competitors from ten different countries.

Lodge now hopes that he can secure the funding for the event, after combining his passion with an electrician apprenticeship.

“I’ve had a few little bits off sponsors but I’m definitely looking for more to help me move forward,” said Lodge “I’ve be doing this since I was four years old and it’s my passion and it’s really good fun.

“Skiing barefoot is a lot faster than what you can do on a wakeboard or knee board. I ski at 44mph on the water, which is quite fast, whereas with a knee board or wakeboard you go at speeds like 20mph.

“It can be quite nervewracking because you are competing against 200 people in front of their spectators, family and relatives, as well as people that just want to come and watch.”

Potential sponsors can contact Nick by e-mail at nicklodge@ icloud.com or by phoning 07581-786697.