The History of Waterskiing on Loch Earn

Loch Earn has one of the longest waterskiing histories in Scotland, with tow sports taking place on the loch for almost 70 years. Long before wakeboarding and wakesurfing became popular, waterskiing helped shape Loch Earn into the watersports destination it is today.

Located near Lochearnhead in Perthshire, Loch Earn’s calm conditions, long stretches of open water and consistent winds made it a natural home for waterskiing from the very beginning.

When did waterskiing start on Loch Earn?

Waterskiing first appeared on Loch Earn in the mid-1950s, with 1955 often referenced as the earliest recorded instance of a water skier on the loch. At the time, waterskiing was still a new and developing sport in the UK.

Early skiers relied on:

• Simple wooden skis

• Basic tow ropes

• Adapted motorboats

Despite the limited equipment, Loch Earn quickly proved to be an ideal location for waterskiing.

Why Loch Earn became a waterskiing hotspot

Several natural factors helped Loch Earn establish itself as a centre for waterskiing:

• Long, straight sections of water ideal for slalom skiing

• Deep water close to shore

• Sheltered conditions compared to coastal locations

• Reliable access from central Scotland

These advantages meant waterskiing on Loch Earn grew steadily throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

The golden era of waterskiing on Loch Earn

From the 1970s through to the 1990s, Loch Earn saw regular waterskiing activity across multiple disciplines, including:

• Slalom waterskiing

• Trick skiing

• Barefoot skiing

• Mono-ski and show skiing

• Ski Jumping

This period established a strong local watersports community, with many skiers returning year after year. Knowledge, boat handling skills and respect for the loch were passed down through generations.

How wakeboarding evolved from waterskiing on Loch Earn

Wakeboarding arrived on Loch Earn in the late 1990s and early 2000s, following global trends in tow sports. Rather than replacing waterskiing, wakeboarding grew naturally from it.

Many early wakeboarders were originally waterskiers, meaning:

• Safety standards remained high

• Boat driving expertise was already established

• Progression was skill-led rather than rushed

This transition helped Loch Earn maintain its reputation as a quality watersports location, rather than a short-term trend destination.

Watersports on Loch Earn today

Today, Loch Earn is known for a wide range of watersports, including:

• Waterskiing

• Wakeboarding

• Wakesurfing

• Paddleboarding

• Kayaking

Despite the growth of modern disciplines, waterskiing remains an important part of Loch Earn’s identity.

At Loch Earn Wakeschool, this history underpins everything we do — from first-time lessons to advanced coaching. Every session benefits from decades of experience on the loch and a deep understanding of its conditions.

A watersports legacy that continues

Few locations in Scotland can claim such a long and continuous watersports history. From early waterski pioneers in the 1950s to modern wakeboats carving glassy water, Loch Earn remains a loch shaped by waterskiing.

And with each new rider, skier or paddler, the story continues.