While reviewing some random GoPro photos in Spring 2014, I noticed the beautiful pattern in the water as the ski sinks during a landing. So I set out to capture that moment with nice light and colors. After nearly a dozen set on various skis, water conditions, and lighting, I started to figure out a […]
UNORTHODOXY
My mind was working to come up with another first in skiing that wouldn’t be quite as risky as new moves on the air board. I wanted to do a tandem flip on my Sky Ski. Not two people flipping separately at the same time – two people flipping on the same device. The Sky […]
History of the “Every Ride” List
It all started as a birthday stunt in 2004 inspired by my grandmother, Mary Murphy. She rode her hydrofoil to Catalina Island and back, a distance of 52 miles across open ocean, to celebrate her birthdays from age 79-88.
When it came time for my 40th birthday I decided to try […]
WELCOME TO MY WORLDS
I was impatient for hydrofoiling competitions. Most people recognized me as the top all around rider in the sport since my coming out party at the first Fly-In in 1994, and I wanted to prove it.
Usually when you want something done, you have to do it yourself, and this was no exception. […]
LOVE TO CRASH
Over the next few years I was in the midst of hard-core riding. Bob Dunham and I worked on compiling a list of the early hydrofoil tricks that documented who was the first to do a particular move and on what date. I reviewed the list that covered the first seven years of […]
I’m a fan of costumed water skiing. Not only is it fun, but it also plays into my “smoke and mirrors” technique for skiing.
Here’s my previous post on costumed water skiing that explains the whole evolution. With more pics and links to related content.
WaterSkiersLife.com Blog Post “Costumed Water Skiing”
While researching this post I ran across […]
INNOVATIONS
In the early days of foiling it was up to the riders to improve performance. Many of the changes came in an attempt overcome the limitations of the stock Air Chair, and some were born to avoid injury.
Modifications to the foil were the most important thing riders could do to upgrade an Air Chair in […]
TIE HIGH
Uncle Mike always had a thing for loop around the boats. He did them for years on everything from the kneeboard and slalom ski to trick skis and the hydrofoil. The loop around the boat became the standard way to turn around during Mike’s runs on the backwaters of Canyon Lake. He even spiced […]
Here’s a little experiment…
You are free to repost these water skiing memes near or far.
I have no idea of whether or not this is gonna work, but I sure had fun making them.
Enjoy! -TK
A TURNING POINT: MIKE MURPHY’S FIRST ROLL
Our family is at the Marine Stadium in Long Beach, CA on a beautiful spring day in 1991. I usually ride first but today is different. Uncle Mike suits up first because he has a new move to show off. He tries to keep it a secret, but can’t resist […]
