Under brand new management and following a complete refurbishment, Sam Brown visits Stanton Lakes in Leicester for its grand opening night.

“Too much Carling one night!” joked Mick Lambert, when I asked what motivated him and business partner Terry Conlon, to purchase Stanton Lakes, just outside Leicester. But with both men having a history in property development, it is not surprising that they saw the potential in what was formerly a run down site.

A keen jet skier for over ten years, Terry was familiar with the lake through past visits, and being passionate about the sport, he saw the opportunity to combine business with pleasure.

The dramatically rugged coastline that legend has it was home to King Arthur, Merlin and Camelot is relatively unexplored by personal watercraft. The bold actions of one harbour master have opened up of whole new world of cruising possibilities.

North Cornwall and in particular the waters around Newquay have until now been solely occupied by the surfing fraternity. Dubbed the UK’s surfing ‘Mecca’ and regularly playing host to both national and international competitions, the endless lines of ‘seal like’ wetsuit clad bodies riding the waves leave little room for anything else. However, Personal Watercraft are slowly creeping into the surfing scene. The familiar red and yellow RNLI Beach Safety craft, especially to anyone who has been caught in a rip and the advent of Tow-In Surfing that has opened up the bigger waves has dulled the outright hatred that was once experienced.

Now you can buy the third edition of the Good Launch Guide direct from us - online.

Over 250 jet ski friendly launch sites in the UK are listed inside.

It is the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide to slipways and launch sites around Britain. It is bigger and better than previous editions and is now over 200 pages and contains maps and photographs. In this edition we have included contact details for marinas as well.

To see the kind of in-depth data you will get, click on the thumbnail image top right.

So if you would like the Boatlaunch website in the glove compartment of your car buy the book online today.

Each listing includes information about the slipway, its suitability for different types of craft and trailer, any potential hazards or restrictions and full directions to the slipway. Where possible, there are contact details.

The price is £11 including postage and packing (£9.95 plus P&P)