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Ray DeFir Sets World
Record
 In 1958, Ray
set a new world's record in water skiing. He skied
1,000 miles on the Columbia River in 33 hours and
27 minutes non-stop. His method of covering this
great distance over a small section of the river
was to go round and round over an oval-shaped
course 12 1/2 miles long. He made the entire trip
on one ski.
The old record of 715 miles was set by John Musser
of St. Joseph, MO in September 1957. De Fir was
informed at the 725 mile mark that he had set a
new world mark, but he decided to go on for the
1000 mile record without stopping. He had decided
to make the record try after taking a water ski
trip to Astoria and back in July. He reportedly
felt so fresh after that jaunt that plans were
made to assault Musser's record.
His total intake of nourishment while on the water
consisted of two quarts of soup, three
sandwiches, three pieces of chicken [two dropped
in the water], one orange, one quart of
chocolate milk, and 12 stubbies of beer.
The last 250 miles were the roughest, and Ray
found that both fatigue and monotony
were riding with him on the ski. Around his neck a
small portable radio carried music
from station KVAN of Vancouver, WA. The disc
jockey provided appropriate jive in
cooperation with the event to help break the
wearisome grind which was rapidly showing
its effect on the lone skier. Twice in the last
200 miles in spite of the lively music, Ray
fell asleep on his feet. To combat this
irresistible urge to doze off, he beckoned for the
other boats milling around in the water to swing
in close so that he could talk to them.
The heel of his right foot was painfully tender
from the constant trip hammer action of the
ski on the water. This forced him to place all of
his weight on the left leg for practically
the reminder of the 200 miles.
Ray began the marathon at12:17AM Friday morning,
and ended at 9:44AM on
Saturday morning.
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