Ralph Samuelson started the process 101 years ago on July 2, 1922 when he became the world’s first water skier. Though he traveled the country putting on exhibitions it was a slow growth sport. It came to our family in the late 50’s when my dad bought a 14-foot Pipestone Princess runabout. It was powered by a 40 hp Scott Atwater outboard motor which was just enough to pop my brother and I up on skis as we were a couple of lightweights. It became more and more popular until now there are over 11 million water skiers splashing about in the U.S. We even have animals cavorting on water skis.