Water skiing has been fortunate in having officials who have given so generously of their time and talents over the years. An outstanding example was Bill Barlow Sen. who served as President of the World Water Ski Union from 1960 to 1961. In 1961 water skiing was rather loosely organized on the international level, and after serving a term as WWSU President and presiding over the organization and ceremonies of the 1961 World Championships in Long Beach, California, Bill took on the task of organizing Group I which to that date existed in name only.

 

He served as the first President of Group I from 1961 to 1971. During this period he promoted the organisation of the first Group Championships in Mexico in 1966, developed Group By-Laws, enlisted new countries and held the first Group meetings and elections.

 

Bill continued to be active in the American Water Ski Assosiation as well, where he had served a term as President from 1959 to 1960 and attend nearly every AWSA Board meeting in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years. He was a Senior Judge in the AWSA and judged or scored many U. S. Nationals and other major tournaments including the Masters and the California International Cup.

 

Even after his decade on the WWSU Executive Board, Bill continued to contribute as he attended every World Championship from 1961 to 1985, assisting in tournament positions and performing the biannual audit of the WWSU records with Jean Muller.

 

I am pleased to announce the induction of the man primarly responsible for the organisation of Group I, William P. Barlow Sen.