July 2008
At the closing ceremony of the 2008 European Water Ski Racing Championships, Karen and Martin Brooks collected an award on behalf of their son Karl Brooks, who was tragically lost in June 2007. EAME Racing Chairman Mike Waterman presented the award.
Karl was named as 2007 Male European Skier of The Year and the 400 people present at the ceremony and dinner were touched as Karen and Martin stepped up to collect the award. They were joined by Robbie and Linda Wright, and Chris Cole. Kim Lumley was named as 2007 Female European Skier of The Year and collected a similar award.
June 2008
One year ago today, we lost a truly wonderful person when Karl Brooks left us. Let’s take a moment to reflect back and read the words that his mother Karen wrote last night.
Karl
14th June 2007 Lake Mead USA
The day we so tragically lost Karl
“You were loved so much and so very dear
It’s hard to accept that you are no longer here
Although our memories are held deep inside
Our thoughts for you, we cannot hide
A finer person there could never be
Our best friend , Son , Brother you were the world to me
Your Devoted
Mum Dad Kurt Scott
Karl will be honoured at a rememberance service today along with a blessing of his headstone that has been laid.
We would like to thank family,friends and ski racing from around the world for their huge support in the past year. In particular, Robbbie & Linda Wright who have been with us every day, keeping us strong. Karl’s second family in Aus the “Robbosâ€, lastly our lifetime friend Robbie Llewellyn.
Everyone’s messages of support, too many to name, over the last year have been uplifting and have helped us enormously, knowing how much Karl have touched your lives.
Thankyou , Thankyou , Thankyou Thankyou
Martin Karen Kurt Scott Brooks
Belgium’s Billy Lacroix took this shot of Karl at the 2004 Diamond Race
We spent the afternoon at Stockbrook Manor,Timmy Herbst organised a DVD that we presented. I hope everyone their enjoyed it as much as we did.The . Robbos , Johnny & Steve loved the poached eggs!!. Bub has your Prada Glasses , he looked pretty cool, Brad just looked so handsome in his suit ,Karl.. we all knew you were laughing at us getting ready for that day….Kurt had to do Steve’s tie!! Eddie, Maryanne, Jerry,Kurt, Billy, Jesse , Jarred & Mark Fantastic day, Thank You.
Hundreds & of your friends & family turned up for the service and celebration.Karl… I can’t even begin to name everyone there, everyone that day was absolutely gutted that you left us so early.. Karl.. My darling son, I wasn’t ready to let you go and I know you weren’t either. Life can be so cruel and sometimes you wonder if you could change anything what would it be. My 1st thought is that I want you back NOW, but I know that isn’t going to happen. Me & Dad would not change any part of your life. You lived and loved life to the full.You Were kind, considerate . Friends and Family from all around the world travelled just to be with you that day. You would have loved it , being the centre of attention.
This is my last email to you Karl. My “diary” has helped us all Me, Dad, Peter, Robbie & Linda to cope with your death.
This is the poem that Laura Wrote and Dad read out:
His infectious smile, his cheeky face
His love for life and winning the race
Two steps ahead of all the rest
I considered him simply the best
A son, a friend, a soulmate, a lover
The most wonderful person you could discover
His passion for life and drive so strong
To him my heart will always belong
In both sport and life he was number one
A real inspiration and so full of fun.
He enriched our lives and brought us pleasure
The memories of which we will always treasure
Although it’s so hard to stop feeeling despair
I know that Karl will always be there
No longer on earth, but in heaven above
His spirit lives on and surrounds us with love
Karl, this is not goodbye just a brief time apart
You will always remain alive in my heart
Written by Laura Russell
Sarah Cramphorn has given us a beautiful book with all the email tributes . We all read them each evening and great pleasure from the wonderful tributes from our friends & family around the world.
Karl this is my final email to you on this web site, which Robbie has given us and the whole world a chance to express my emotions and thouthts. Without this “diary” and reading the tributes , Me Martin Kurt & Kurt could not have coped so well.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
Your Devoted Mum & Dad Kurt & Scott.
For all Karl’s friends in the USA, a service has been arranged on Tuesday 19th June at Palm Green Valley, before we take Karl back home to the U.K to be buried.
For further details you can call Jerred on 714 4259173.
Thank you all for your continuing support
Karen & Martin
_______________________________________________________
Visit www.myspace.com/terribles19 & http://groups.myspace.com/karlbrooks
Karen, Martin
Las Vegas
15th June”
I woke Friday morning and the email above was waiting for me. I couldn’t quite believe it and I sat in shock for a while and then called Martin Brooks to confirm this awful news. I am devastated, upset and in complete shock, as are so many others.
Britain’s Karl Brooks was killed as a result of a fall, whilst out practicing on Lake Mead, Nevada on Thursday. His family was shocked to receive the tragic news a few hours ago at 3am Friday morning (UK time).
Karl was 25 years old and one of the nicest people in our sport. Far beyond his ability to ski, was the fun, lively and positive character of a guy who had so many friends and who was liked for being the great person he was. His smile and character was captured by Linda Keys in the photo above.
Having just got off the phone from Martin Brooks, I have been asked to let everyone know about this. It’s not easy for me to conjour up words right now as this is so upsetting, but below is an extract from a letter I wrote about Karl 6 months ago and it describes this wonderful lad.
<<<I have known Karl since he was born. His mother and grandfather were in fact water ski racing competitors in my home club of Penarth, Britain, and good friends. I can vividly recall the day that I observed for Karl in one of his early British National races and it is incredible to see a novice skier go on to become one of the finest water ski racing athletes in the world.
Not only is Karl an exceptional athlete whose success is borne from tenacity, commitment and extraordinary ability, but he is one of the most likeable young men in this highly competitive sport. He is the epitome of a true sportsman who excels on the world stage, yet who remains a down to earth man with a splendid personality.
I have witnessed Karl’s sporting career blossom into a long series of remarkable performances which have resulted in him becoming the current European Water Ski Racing Champion and four-time British Champion. Among other international successes, Karl’s extraordinary ability was best seen at the 2005 World Championships when he won the Silver medal. Having watched him progress to this level, the Gold medal is but one step away from this most gifted athlete.
Karl’s achievements have resulted in numerous TV and Radio appearances and a personal meeting with the British Prime Minister’s wife at her home, which was arranged by the British Sports Minister. Karl is a shining example of what any nation’s sporting ambassadors should be.
I have great respect for the fact that Karl shares his knowledge and talent with young aspiring athletes in a bid to help them to excel in the sport. Karl’s training and sporting spirit in fact helped Britain’s Kim Lumley become a World Champion.>>>
Photo by http://www.ocphotographics.com/
I have spoken with other people this morning who are all upset over this. I know hundreds will be truly saddened by the loss of Karl. Let our thoughts be with Karen and Martin, and with Peter, Karl’s brothers Kurt and Scott, his grandparents (who have all been involved in ski racing) and the other members of the family that Karl has left behind. And course with Karl, who had so much going for him.
I know many people will want to write some words about Karl and for his family. Please use the comments section below. It might take a few hours for your comments to be displayed, but they will definitely be there for the family and friends of Karl to read.
Robbie Llewellyn
