A 92-year-old woman who holds the record as the oldest female water skier has said to “just keep trying” and never give up on your dreams.
At a Christmas family gathering in December last year, Dwan Young’s family surprised her with the Guinness World Record certificate, officially naming her as the record holder.
Young, who lives in Utah, USA, has been skiing for more than 60 years, trying her hand at the sport when she was 29 years old. Since then, she along with her family have been skiing at the family cabin at Bear Lake.
Speaking with KSL TV, Young said her granddaughter Becca contacted the Guinness World Records to see if her grandmother was eligible for the title. Then, at Christmas, the family presented her with the award.
“I thought it was a joke,” she said.
While Young has been skiing for years, she said it was her family that helped her transition from skiing on two skis to the slalom, which is no easy feat for anyone, let alone a 92-year-old.
“My kids kept saying, ‘Grandma, bend your knees! Keep your arms straight and let the boat pull you out!’” Young said.
“Now, at my age, I’m getting out of the water on two and just dropping one.”
Water skiing isn’t the only sport Young plays, and she doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
“Actually, I’m still playing tennis twice a week, and I’m doing water aerobics in the winter,” she said.
While her grandkids want their grandmother to give surfing a go, Young is happy to stick with what she knows.
‘What an honour.’
Since 1961, Dwan Young, who is originally from Salt Lake City, has been water skiing. But she admitted to Guinness World Records last month that she still gets nervous before a ski.
“I always get butterflies before I get in the water,” Young said. “In the water, I feel excited.”
Young was thrilled to receive the record certificate from her family, which was totally unexpected for the 92-year-old.
“I could not believe it. I still can’t believe it,” Young said. “What a surprise and what an honour.”
These days, Young only skis in Bear Lake, where the family summer cabin is. But she told Guinness World Records that if she could ski anywhere in the world, Lake Geneva in Switzerland is her dream spot.
For anyone wanting to have a go at something new, Young said your age should not matter.
“Do not be afraid to try a new sport when you are older,” she said.
“You are more capable than you think.”