NATE SMITH the reigning world waterski champion and world record holder in the Men’s Slalom competition, paid a flying visit to Fairford at the weekend.

It was the first visit to the UK for the 25-year-old Smith, who won his world title in scintillating style in Chapala, Mexico last November.

Smith, who lives in Indiana in the States, is sponsored by D3 Waterskis and he is on a world tour promoting their equipment.

His only UK stop was at Craig Cohoon Watersports, situated on the Whelford Road just outside Fairford, who are the sole dealers for the D3 waterski brand in this country.

They have been established for more than 40 years.

A select group of invited skiers from all around the UK received coaching from Smith who began waterskiing at the age of two. His family moved to the Champion Lake in McCordsville, Indiana when he was five and he began competing three years later.

Remarkably he is self taught and yet it has not stopped him getting to the top of the waterskiing world. His first US national title came at the age of 13. His world record – scoring two and a half buoys at 9.75-metre line length – was set at Sky Ranch Fall 1, Covington, Louisiana back in July 2013 and still stands.

Smith spends most of his time travelling the globe coaching and competing at the highest level.

Scott Cohoon said: “It was an honour to host and welcome Nate to the Cotswolds.

“I was lucky enough to spend three days in the company of the world’s best slalom waterskier and one of the nicest young men I have ever met.”