Ralph Samuelson

Lore & Background

Ralph Samuelson, already skilled at aquaplaning, sought to create something like snow skiing on water. His early attempts used staves from wooden barrels and snow skis before he made skis from pine boards 8 feet long and 9 inches wide, bending the tips after boiling them in his mother's copper kettle. He first succeeded on June 28, 1922, by starting on an aquaplane board and slipping his feet into the water.

Samuelson attracted local attention and on July 8, 1925, performed the first ski jump on water, greasing the launch platform with lard after an initial fall. On August 27, 1925, he became the first speed skier, reaching 80 mph while pulled by a Curtiss flying boat. He did not patent his invention, and U.S. Patent 1,559,390 for water skis was later issued to Fred Waller.

In later years, Samuelson moved to Pine Island, Minnesota, where he worked as a turkey farmer. He was a guest of honor at a water skiing 50th anniversary in 1972 and was inducted into the Water Ski Hall of Fame on January 22, 1977. He died of cancer in Pine Island on August 28, 1977.

Reader's Guide

Ralph Samuelson's invention of water skiing in 1922 on Lake Pepin established a new recreational and competitive sport, yet his lack of patenting allowed Fred Waller to receive a patent in 1925 and market 'Dolphin Akwa-Skees.' Waller's later work with Cinerama featured water skiing prominently, and journalist Lowell Thomas connected Waller to the sport's visibility. Dick Pope, Sr., in his 1958 book, erroneously credited Waller as the first inventor. Samuelson's original second pair of skis survives at the Lake City Chamber of Commerce. His legacy is recognized through his induction into the Water Ski Hall of Fame and the 50th anniversary celebration in 1972, though historical accounts note the dispute over priority.

Did You Know?

• He performed the first water ski jump on July 8, 1925, using lard to grease the launch platform.
• Samuelson reached 80 mph while speed skiing on August 27, 1925, pulled by a Curtiss flying boat.
• His original second pair of skis is held at the Lake City Chamber of Commerce in Lake City, Minnesota.