Cool great-grandad still making waves at 95 as world's oldest waterskier

A great-grandad from New Zealand is still making waves at the grand old age of 95, surely making him one of the world’s coolest grandads.

Bryan Murray was verified as the oldest waterskier (male) in April at the age of 94 years 318 days after getting out on the water at Lake Kereta, Auckland.

He’s been waterskiing since 1955 and even after celebrating another trip round the sun, he still loves taking part in his beloved hobby every summer.

Bryan, who has two kids, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, first tried waterskiing after a friend of his installed a motor on their open fibre glass boat.

Another friend, who was in the New Zealand Air Force and had seen someone waterskiing in Singapore, brought back a pair of waterskies and they decided to give it a go.

Before long, Bryan was competing in tournaments all over the country.

He said: “I didn’t consider it initially but as I got older it became a challenge and I enjoyed it so much I just kept going. Also the family all participated in the sport which took us all over New Zealand for tournaments.

“Most people tell me that I am an inspiration to people of all ages. It encourages me to know that I am leading the way for others to keep active.”

He added: “I like the saying ‘You don’t stop because you are too old. You get old because you stop being active’.”

Read more stories about the world’s oldest people in our Human Body section.

Bryan started competing in the 1960s as soon as he believed he was good enough, and he hasn’t stopped since.

He explained: “I was about 30 years old and still just a basic skier when I started in competitions and never reached a high level of skill, but was just good enough to keep winning in age group tournaments in slalom tricks and jump.

“I would have loved to reach the skill level of the young skiers of today but age reduces the flexibility required.”

For now, Bryan is happy leisurely hitting the waves each summer, with gym sessions in the winter to stay fit enough for his favourite activity.