Scottish Women’s Rugby embraces the outdoors at Foxlake Adventures and Ocean Vertical

Players swap the pitch for paddleboards, high ropes, and coastal challenges in East Lothian

THE Scottish Women’s Rugby team recently took a break from the training pitch to connect, recharge, and challenge themselves in a different way – by spending a full day immersed in the Scottish outdoors at Foxlake Adventures and Ocean Vertical in East Lothian.

The squad – made up of 32 players and 17 support staff – took part in a range of outdoor adventure activities designed to boost confidence, build resilience, and strengthen team bonds ahead of a busy competitive season.

Ellen Dickson, Team Manager, and former Scotland International, said: “We wanted to give the players a chance to reset and have fun away from the pressures of training, and Ocean Vertical and Foxlake were perfect for this.

“The team had a brilliant time on the water, and are looking forward to visiting again in future.”

The day kicked off at Foxlake Adventures, where players threw themselves into the inflatable Aqua Park, diving, balancing, and cheering each other on across the over-water obstacle course. 

Next, the team travelled to Ocean Vertical, an outdoor adventure company based in East Lothian offering guided outdoor experiences, where the Scottish Women’s team enjoyed a relaxed, fireside lunch provided by FieldFireFork, before breaking into smaller groups for an afternoon of exhilarating coastal activities – including coasteering, stand-up paddleboarding along the East Lothian coastline, and electric mountain biking through nearby trails.

“It was a real pleasure to organise this away day for the Scotland Women’s team,” said Mollie Hughes, Director at Ocean Vertical. 

“It was the perfect blend of fun, challenge, and downtime ahead of what will be an intense and exciting summer for the squad.”

To round off the day, the team returned to Foxlake where some players tackled the high ropes of the iconic FoxFall, while others unwound in the HotFox Sauna before braving a refreshing ice-cold plunge.

“It was fantastic to welcome the Scottish Women’s Rugby team to Foxlake,” said James Barbour, Director of Wild Shore. 

“Our experiences are all about pushing limits in a fun and supportive environment – and watching the team enjoying this experience together, away from their ‘day job’, captured that spirit perfectly.”

The day offered not only a physical challenge, but also a valuable opportunity for Scotland’s top female athletes to reconnect, relax, and prepare together.

For more information on activities, bookings, and events, visit: 

www.foxlake.co.uk and follow foxlake_adventures on Instagram. 

For more information about Ocean Vertical, please visit:

https://www.oceanvertical.com/ 

The Scottish Women begin their Rugby World Cup campaign with a game against Wales in Manchester this afternoon – KO 2.45

Edinburgh riders gear up for Wild Shore Wakeboarding Competition at Foxlake Adventures

One of Scotland’s top wakeboarding events returns to East Lothian for a day of adrenaline and spectacle

Foxlake Adventures in East Lothian is excited to announce the return of its annual Wakeboarding Competition on Saturday 9 August 2025, 1!:00 – 17:00.

This high-energy event will see some of Scotland’s best wakeboarders hit the water, with strong representation from Edinburgh.

Riders of all levels – from rising local talent to experienced riders – will take part in a series of adrenaline-fuelled heats, showcasing big tricks, technical skill, and crowd-pleasing action for spectators of all ages.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting our annual Wakeboarding Competition again at Foxlake,” said James Barbour, Director of Wild Shore. “It’s always an incredible atmosphere with top talent on the water, live commentary, and a buzzing crowd of families, fans, and first-timers.”

The competition will feature multiple categories – from youth and amateur riders to experienced pros – with prizes, music, food and drink, and family-friendly activities running throughout the day. Whether you’re a wakeboarding enthusiast or just looking for a unique day out by the water, the event is open to all. 

James Barbour added: “This event really showcases the sport and the local wakeboarding scene. And for those who’ve never seen it live – it’s fast, it’s technical, and it’s seriously fun to watch.”

The wakeboarding competition will feature a full day of live music, expert commentary, and an energetic MC to keep the crowd entertained and informed. Judging will be carried out by a panel of experts, including Wild Shore team members Nick Galloway and Cameron Bullen, and Tegan Brady from Waterski and Wakeboard Scotland, bringing invaluable insight and experience to the competition. 

Tegan Brady, Development Officer at Waterski and Wakeboard Scotland, commented: “I’m proud to support events such as Foxlake Adventures Wakeboarding Competition, which plays a huge role in growing the sport across Scotland.

“It’s fantastic to see such strong local talent taking to the water alongside more experienced riders – it really captures the inclusive, grassroots spirit of wakeboarding. 

“Competitions like this are vital for building community, inspiring new participants, and showcasing the incredible standard of riding we have here in Scotland.” 

One of this year’s highlights is set to be “The Big Air” challenge, where competitors get one chance to launch off a specially designed jump to see who can soar the highest.

In addition to the thrilling action on the water, competitors will also be entered into a large raffle with fantastic prizes up for grabs, including a £50 voucher for Ocean Vertical, an alpaca trekking experience with John Muir Alpacas, £25 voucher and bottle of wine from The Creel, a dryrobe from SkyMonster, bottle of gin from NB Gin, two free sessions at Lost Shore, tickets to Town Loch’s Boat Party, and more. 

For more information, to register as a rider, visit https://foxlake.citizenticket.com/events/foxlake-adventures/wakeboarding/, and follow foxlake_adventures on Facebook and Instagram. 

Event Details:

Foxlake Adventures, East Lothian

Saturday 09 August 2025

Time: 11:00 – 17:00 

All ages welcome