Did you know Seattle played a key role in the history of waterskiing? In 1928, Don Ibsen, a Roosevelt High School graduate, co-invented waterskis through experiments on Lake Washington, independently contributing to the sport’s origins alongside pioneers Ralph Samuelson (Minnesota, 1922) and Fred Waller (Long Island, 1924).
By the 1960s, Seattle had become a waterskiing hub. Paul Wiley began crafting wooden skis in his garage, founding Wiley’s Watersports in 1965. Local brands like Connelly and O’Brien further established the city as a center for handmade slalom skis.
Last year, Mark Lord, avid waterskier and founder of Seattle Watersports, acquired Wiley’s and inherited its 60-year collection of vintage skis. Combining this with Seattle Watersports’ 30-year archive and another collector’s trove, the team curated a stunning display of approximately 350 vintage waterskis, some dating back to the 1920s.
This remarkable collection is now showcased in a dedicated display at the Seattle Watersports showroom. Mark and his team invite all watersports enthusiasts to stop by and explore this tribute to waterskiing history.
Visit the showroom in Kenmore, Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and experience the evolution of waterskiing firsthand.
