THE father of Australian water-skiing, Forster’s Fred Williams, has been inducted into the Australian Water Ski and Wakeboard Federation’s (AWWF) Hall of Fame.
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Williams was recognised for his various contributions to the industry, spanning more than 60 years, at a ceremony in Melbourne on Saturday, March 8.
Williams began his working life as a carpentry joiner and started an apprenticeship with Arthur Davis Constructions in Newcastle before relocating with the business to Taree.
A bit of encouragement from a couple of friends in Forster led Williams to make an aquaplane out of an old garage door which he found near the Russell Court Guest House, more commonly known as “Breesies.”
Soon after, Williams persuaded local man Bert Tickner, who had an old powerboat in need of repair, that he would fix it if, in return, he would tow him and the door behind it.
With Tickner agreeing, the pair hooked up a tow line and took to the water. With the boat gaining speed, so was Williams’ momentum and he quickly got to his feet and stood up.
In that instant, Williams was immediately hooked on the adrenalin of the sport and used his trade as a joiner to create his first set of skis out of discarded verandah posts.
“We (builder Alf Jensen) made two skis using tallowwood. We used boiling water to make them bend and left them overnight. Then we attached two sandshoes and painted a bulls-eye in the middle, it was hilarious,”
- Fred Williams
Still hooked, Williams went on to create the business Ski-Ace – which became the first manufacturing business of water skis in Australia.
From humble beginnings out of an old bakehouse on Little Street, Williams and his wife Bettie moved the business down to Sydney in 1962 to make skis for sports goods retailer Mick Simmons.
The move gave the brand more exposure and Williams soon became a household name.
With dozens of champion skiers using his product, he was considered the largest ski producer in Australia and the third largest in the world.
In 1981, the company won the prestigious Vapour Trail award for the best water ski manufacturer internationally.
During his career, Williams also trained and taught good friend Graham Barclay who went on to become an Australian Water Ski Champion.
Looking back on what he has achieved, Williams’ says receiving the AWWF induction is the icing on the cake for what has been a tremendous career.
“My star sign is Aquarius so I think it’s only natural that I’ve always loved the water,” he said.
“I’m happy that I’ve achieved something for what I’ve done. It’s the recognition, it’s very special I think.”
