Willa McGuire Cook

Willa McGuire Cook (1928, Lake Oswego, Oregon – 21 April 2017, DeLand, Florida^[1]) was the winner of 18 American national titles in water skiing.^[2] She was the first freestyle water skier, and had a unique and creative approach to her sport.^[2] In the 1950s, Cook invented swivel skiing, a style of water skiing that became hugely successful around the world, which combines the moves of ballet with water skiing by using swivel bindings on the ski.^[3] Today there is a trophy in her name, which is awarded to the best female performer at the National Water Ski Show Tournament each year.^[3]

Cook developed a love for water skiing in her early teens.^[2] In 1945, she competed in her first National Water Ski Championships, winning first place titles in the slalom and tricks categories, as well as a first place title overall.^[2] She had never seen a jump or slaloms course until the day before the competition, making her victory all the more impressive.^[3] This first place title was the first of eight overall firsts for Willa in the National Championships, out of the nine National Championships she participated in.^[2] In 1948, she began a career performing at Cypress Gardens, a show that featured water skiers, and became a prima ballerina.^[2][3] She participated in world water skiing competitions in 1949, 1950, 1953, and 1955, and won the overall world title three times, along with five world event victories.^[2]

In 1959, Cook retired from competing, but has continued to water ski passionately.^[3] In 1989, she was an honoree of the International Water Ski Federation.^[3] She became a chairperson of the American Water Ski Hall of Fame museum, and used her creative talents to design their exhibits.^[3][2] McGuire also spent her career using her skills to teach others, and was always involved in teaching younger water skiers; many of her students became champion water skiers later on.^[2]