Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
A2025.002.002 |
Date |
c. 1950s |
Title |
Mac Smith, Waterskier |
Collection |
Mac Smith collection |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Description |
Black and white photograph of Mac Smith standing shirtless in front of a body of water holding a single wooden water ski. There is maker's label at the top of the ski which reads "Smith Craft, Napanee, Ontario. Water skiing was a new sport in the 1950's. Smith Craft, Napanee, was born when veterinarian Mac Smith, son of veterinarian, Dr. Harold Smith, made a pair of skis for Dr. Hall's son. Mac was inspired by a design in Popular Science. The first set was made out of cedar, then white ash. His workshop was in an old hen house on Mill Street, Napanee. Mac designed a steamer to bend the wood. The skis were painted by his uncle, Wilfred Smith. The applied crest was designed by Mac. During the years of water ski production, I learned how to ski. Someone had established a single run long distance record of 69 miles. Thinking we could better the record, I discussed it with a few friends and we all agreed. In September 1955, on a very cold Sunday morning I took off on a single slalom ski with no improvements in sight re: weather conditions. Air temperature and water temperature were both 53 degrees F. I wore a pair of deerskin gloves after padding my feet with numerous layers of gauze bandage. A thin plastic jacket did its best to reduce wind force on the upper body. We ran between Napanee and Picton a number of times covering 19 statute miles one-way. In the bay water, the 23 knot-winds produced 14" high, short choppy waves smothered with white caps. It was similar to skiing over a sea of frozen ice slabs. Running the 6 mile length of the Napanee River we found it rather quiet for a brief bit of relief and some relaxation. Then it was back to work. The long trek ended suddenly when I tripped in the wake of a spectator boat. Thankfully we managed to establish a new long distance record of 111 miles in 4 hours and 40 minutes". -Mac Smith |
Extent |
25.8 cm h x 20.3 cm w |
Extent |
1 photographic print, glossy, B&W. |
Photographer |
Unknown |
Search Terms |
Napanee River Napanee (Ont.) |
People |
Smith, H.W., DVM Smith, Harold Mackenize 'Mack', D.V.M. Smith, Mac |
Subjects |
Waterskiing Rivers Water Sports Water sports Race Time Records |