Personal Watercraft Insurance, Kris LaPoint’s 1966 Record Setting Ski
This ski was handcrafted from ash wood under the skillful eye of Bob Maher at his workshop in 1966. Of course, every custom ski Maher has produced since 1950 is unique in some form or fashion. But this Maherajah 3.5, with its classic pointed tip, sharp bevels and fl at rocker design, would help define a future water ski legend’s young career.
Enter 13-year-old California native Kris LaPoint. With his new wooden tunnel concave Maherajah, LaPoint arrived at the Tournament of Champions in San Diego’s Mission Bay only to discover that his junior boys division was not allowed in the event. His only option was to compete in the older boys’ age division, which required skiing at 36 mph, a considerable departure from his usual 34 mph boat speed. The news didn’t phase LaPoint one bit. The tall, lanky teenager miraculously adapted to the increased boat speed and blazed the course, setting a new world slalom record with three buoys at 36 off (equivalent to 35 off/12m today). It was the first of seven world records for LaPoint, and the occasion marked the beginning of an era of dominance he had on the special ski.
From 1966 to 1972, LaPoint and his famed Maha accomplished great things on the water, like winning five Masters titles, the first being in 1967 when he won the event by an amazing 16 buoys over his second-place competitor. “It was definitely my hay day,” recalls LaPoint. “Although I won quite a few events later in my career, my most dominant time was on that ski in the late ’60s and early ’70s.” LaPoint is, without a doubt, the enduring face of pro water skiing.
