Starting at the age of 13 as rope boy was a long time show skier at Cypress Gardens and an accomplished three event tournament skier winning overall at the 1964 Nationals and Masters. Jumping was his favorite event, and at the 1959 Nationals he set a mark of 142 feer. Four years later he surpassed the 150-foot mark with a jump of 151 feet at the Anderson (S.C.) Open. He was known for his "roll out" jumping form.