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It's splashdown in Brighouse for a competition to test the world’s best kneeboarders.

The Rider Cup 2014 International Kneeboard Competition takes places at White Rose Water Ski Club, Brighouse, this weekend.

Team UK will take on Team USA in slalom and freestyle trick contests.

The competition takes place every other year, with the venue alternating between the UK and the US.

The teams are fairly evenly matched although Team USA has one more overall win than the Brits.

Kneeboarding developed from waterskiing in the 1970s and 1980s.

The sport was initially designed for rookie waterskiers who found the original sport too difficult.

But kneeboarding developed into a sport in its own right in the 1980s with competitions and recognition from USA Water Ski, the American governing body for water tow sports.

The sport is recognised by the British Water Ski and Wakeboard Federation, the UK governing body.

Kneeboarding is split into two disciplines: slalom and trick.

In the former, competitors have to weave between a course of bouys in the quickest time possible, reaching up 40mph.

In the latter, riders are awarded for performing a variety of tricks including spins and flips.

Trick riders use the waves generated by the tow boat as water ‘ramps’ to launch themselves into the air.

Sunshine and low winds promise to make excellent riding conditions.

Team GB captain Jason Ellis said: “It’s a good day for it. The wind is a bit strong but the water conditions are holding up and it’s pretty flat.

“GB won in 2003 and 2008, while the US won in 2004, 2006 and 2010 – so we’ll be hoping to get a win this time.”

White Rose Water Ski Club secretary and tow boat pilot, Brian Rook, added: “Kneeboarding kicked off massively in the 1980s.

“It’s a great sport for all the family.

“It’s easier to pick up than waterskiing but once you get as good as these guys and can do tricks, it’s just as difficult.”

Alongside the competition there will be displays of kneeboarding, wakeboarding, waterskiing and barefoot waterskiing, which is open to the public over the weekend.

For details visit: www.whiterosewaterski.com .

Watch a video of top freestyle kneeboarder Liam Thody in action at: www.examiner.co.uk .

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