A Canterbury man has clinched the Guinness World Record for the world’s oldest water skier – at 94 years and 318 days old.
Bryan Murray earned the title after completing a water ski on Lake Kereta, north of Auckland last month — more than 70 years after he first took up the sport at the age of 26.
“It’s a bit of a challenge,” Murray told Seven Sharp. “But they tell me that I’m an inspiration, so I guess I’ve got to go along with that.
“If I can help other people, that’s great.”
Despite approaching his 95th birthday, Murray still competes in the sport and regularly gets out on the water.
Murray said he spent several months each summer in the Marlborough Sounds, where he enjoyed water skiing early in the morning.
Asked what kept him coming back to the sport after seven decades, Murray said it simply came down to enjoyment.
“Most people who do sport do it because they love it. I can’t put my finger on what it is that makes me want to do it – but I enjoy it," he said.
His son Steven said water skiing had long been a family affair, describing his father as “mad keen” for the sport.
“We’re absolutely a water skiing family, and as kids we grew up with water skiing all around us,” he said.
“It wouldn’t be uncommon for Dad to ring me and say, ‘Hey, I’m at the lake and there’s no one here to give me a tow, could you come and drive the boat for an hour?'’’
Steven said his father’s determination had always been an inspiration.
“As far as I’m concerned, he’s lasted a hell of a lot longer on the water than I have. He’s more tenacious than I am.”
Murray credited a combination of staying active, regular gym sessions and quality medical care for helping him remain healthy enough to keep skiing into his nineties.
Despite undergoing hip surgery last month, Murray said he was already looking forward to getting back on the water later this year.
“The surgeon’s actually a keen water skier himself,” Murray said with a laugh.
“So the plan is to start again in about November.”
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