An adventure-loving elderly woman from Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, is making a big splash!
At the age of 92, Dwan Jacobsen Young is officially the world’s oldest waterskier (female).
Dwan has been water skiing since 1961 when she was 29 years old.
After purchasing a summer cabin on Bear Lake, located between Utah and Idaho, Dwan noticed that waterskiing was very popular in the area.
Wanting to indulge in the fun, she decided to try her hand at the sport.
And the rest is history.
Every summer, Dwan and her family spend as much time on the lake as possible.
They always water ski unless the weather is unfavourable.
Dwan enjoys skiing when the lake is smooth and says once you have skied, it begins to feel natural.
I always get butterflies before I get in the water,” she said.
In the water, I feel excited.
Dwan first learned to water ski by using two skis.
After much effort and many failures, she was finally able to get up on the slalom — a moment she says is her favourite water-skiing memory.
Dwan decided it was best to save her energy for the actual water skiing and learned to get up on two skis and then immediately drop one of them.
She also takes precautions when skiing and stops if the water gets too choppy or rough.
Dwan also pays close attention when water skiing and checks when to turn and cross the wake.
Although Dwan now only skis in the cold waters of Bear Lake, when her family was younger, they would ski at Lake Powell and Lake Mead, which have warmer waters.
However, Dwan says if she could ski anywhere in the world, it would be Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
Dwan skis with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who were all excited to find out about her Guinness World Records title.
In fact, she says her grandchildren are her coaches and cheerleaders.
“My husband thinks I am crazy,” said Dwan.
My friends are surprised, and my family thinks it is great.
Dwan was at a family Christmas party when they all found out about her newfound record title.
“Our daughter announced that our granddaughter had a surprise,” she said.
“Up on the screen came a video of me skiing this summer.”
Her granddaughter Becca presented her with a Guinness World Records plaque as everyone applauded.
“I could not believe it. I still cannot believe it,” said Dwan.
“What a surprise and what an honour.”
Even though Dwan loves water skiing, she says she still wishes she could snow ski and hold some kind of record for skiing the diamond trails.
“I never was good enough to do that,” she admitted.
“I needed lessons.”
For now, however, she hopes to be able to stay healthy and water ski again next summer.
“I am very fortunate to have good health which allows me to enjoy life to its fullest,” said Dwan.
I have had loving parents, a wonderful husband, and an incredible family. I am blessed.
Dwan says water skiing has taught her to never give up on goals she sets for herself.
She urges those interested in the sport to find a friend who water skis, has a good water ski boat, good skis, and is patient and willing to teach you.
“Do not be afraid to try a new sport when you are older,” said Dwan.
“You are more capable than you think.”
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