Alan Taylor : October 1923 — December 2010 (87)
A Legend in Water Ski Racing in His Own Time
Alan was a founder member of Whitstable water ski club. He was involved along with keith rose in the first visit to Belgium to experience their river ski racing in the 1960’s.
Alan was one of the organisers of the inaugural Cross Channel ski race which included both British and Belgian skiers, and most notably Tony Armstrong Jones who was later to become Lord Snowdon, and Tony Richardson the secretary general at the time of the British Water Ski Federation. Alan was also a member of the BWSF racing committee with Keith Rose, Ron Gee and one – John Hoiles in those formative years.
His contribution to the sport was immense over many years. Alan’s involvement extended well beyond these shores as he become a very highly regarded and very competetent national and international judge, being the chief judge at many national and international prestigious events. His contemporary judges at the highest level were Arthur Dawe, Ted Rawlings, Peter Felix, Keith Rose and his very good friend John.
Alan was on the panel of international judges at the very first world water ski racing championships held at Whitstable, Allhallows and Welsh Harp all here in the south east of England back in 1979.
As water ski racing developed and became recognised in its own right as an international sport, then with the frame work of an European council and indeed a world racing council, Alan was always there to give wise counsel to his peers and was I know of great support to John Hoiles who later became chairman of both bodies.
Alan was always a gentleman, a scrupulously fair judge, and a really popular guy who earned the respect and affection of all with whom he came into contact within our sport.
I have been asked to pass on the respects of many national / international water ski officials from down under, from the United States, and particularly Europe, and of course from GB, all of whom have only the very best memories of Alan. “We will all miss him”.
I am indebted to John Hoiles for his guidance with these notes
Mike Waterman, President, IWWF Region Europe & Africa Racing Council
January 2011
