By Jack Burden

The waterskiing community and beyond are celebrating the life of Dr. James Dayle “J.D.” Morgan, who passed away peacefully on January 8, 2025, at the age of 88 in Lake Wales, Florida. Known as much for his pioneering accomplishments on the water as his decorated career in medicine, Morgan leaves behind a legacy of excellence, determination, and family tradition.

Lauren Morgan, his granddaughter and a world-class professional jumper, captured the sentiment of many: “You taught us that life wasn’t about taking the easy way out. It was about hard work, dedication, and living with purpose… We’ll miss you, papa skier. But we’ll keep pushing forward, just like you taught us. Legends never die.”

Born in Perry, Iowa, Morgan’s life was one of extraordinary achievements. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where he earned his M.D. in 1961, he served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Captain in 1980. His military tenure included roles as a flight surgeon and senior medical officer aboard the USS Independence. Afterward, Morgan operated a private dermatology practice in Lake Wales until 2012.

Yet, it was on the waters of America’s lakes and rivers that Morgan truly made waves. A fierce competitor and a stalwart of the sport, he began skiing in the 1960s and quickly rose to prominence, claiming national titles and records through the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. He represented the U.S. in the inaugural World Veteran Team Competitions in 1983 and 1984, solidifying his place among the sport’s elite.

Beyond competition, Morgan was instrumental in shaping the sport’s future. As president of the American Water Ski Educational Foundation (AWSEF) from 1996 to 2005, he spearheaded the creation of the American Waterski Hall of Fame, which opened in 2013. His contributions earned him the AWSEF Award of Distinction.

Morgan’s impact extended to his family, where his love for the sport became a generational legacy. His sons, Mike and Zack, achieved national championship titles, with Mike representing the U.S. in world competitions. Lauren Morgan continues the family’s dominance as one of the world’s premier jumpers.

While his accolades are many, Morgan’s influence stretched beyond titles. He was a mentor, a relentless advocate for the sport, and an enduring symbol of grit and passion.

For those who knew him, on the water or off, Dr. Morgan wasn’t just a legend. He was an inspiration.

By Jack Burden

Mike Osborn, a legendary figure from the early days of water skiing and a USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation Hall of Fame inductee, has passed away. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998, Mike was recognized as one of the best men’s jump competitors of his era, helping to advance the world record during the late 1950s.

Mike’s passion for water skiing began at the age of six, following in the footsteps of his boating and competitive swimming parents. Initially focused on competitive swimming, his drive shifted to water skiing after being inspired by classmates excelling in the sport. By age 15, Mike was already skiing at the iconic Cypress Gardens in Florida, where he became known not only for his athletic skills but also for his comical performances as “Corky the Clown.”

In 1959, Mike reached the pinnacle of his competitive career, winning both the National Men’s Jumping and Overall Championships, and tying the national jump record at 142 feet. That same year, he represented the United States at the World Championships in Milan, Italy, where he earned three individual medals and was a key contributor to Team USA’s victory in one of their closest competitions to date. His unique jumping style, which appeared almost upside-down at times, became his trademark and distinguished him from his peers.

At the height of his career, Mike was featured in several nationwide advertising campaigns, including a memorable stunt in which he skied over a jump ramp while shaving for a Rapid Shave commercial, delivering the line, “Make it fast, make it smooth!”

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Outside of water skiing, Mike pursued a successful entrepreneurial career. He founded Osborn Marine in Winter Haven, Florida, in 1969, a business that built custom boat models and became a hub for top marine products. Mike worked alongside his wife, Nancy, and his father, LaRue, in the family-run enterprise.

Mike is survived by his wife, Nancy, and their three sons, Mark, Mitch, and Matt. His passion for sports extended to his family, as they shared a love for dirt bike racing in their later years, even purchasing a motorcycle dealership to support their hobby.

An incredible competitor and early pioneer of the sport, Mike will be greatly missed.

By Jack Burden

JD Wiswall, a former junior world champion and professional jumper, has passed away at the age of 52 after a long battle with cancer. The Alabama native displayed incredible talent from a young age, breaking numerous records as he advanced through the junior ranks, and collecting a number of national, collegiate, and world titles along the way.

A U.S. national record holder in both junior slalom and jump, Wiswall was selected to represent Team USA at the inaugural Under-17 World Championships, where he became the first-ever junior world jump champion. Two years later, he would replicate that feat by defending his title at the second edition on the Yarra River, making him one of only four skiers to this day to win multiple junior world jump titles. In total, he won five medals across the two World Championships, finishing as the runner-up in overall at both tournaments.

Wiswall attended Northern Louisiana University (NLU), now the University of Louisiana Monroe, where he helped the NLU Indians reclaim the national title after they had experienced their first loss in a decade, securing individual jump and overall titles in 1990.

A brash and confident competitor, Wiswall’s performance at the 1991 NCWSA Nationals became legendary. Jumping with heavily bruised ribs from a slalom crash the previous day, “Turbo,” as his teammates called him, took to the water as the second-to-last skier of the tournament, needing an outright win to secure the team’s title. After posting the leading score on jump one, he stared down the final skier, University of Central Florida’s (UCF) John Swanson, and yelled, “I’m your worst nightmare!”

Swanson, however, was up for the challenge, winning the jump title and guiding UCF to their first ever team title. The Wiswall-Swanson rivalry would go down as one of the most epic in collegiate water ski history.

Wiswall’s best performances came at the slower speed and ramp height of junior and collegiate competitions, where his aggressive style was used to maximum advantage. However, he also had success in the elite ranks, winning the 1989 World Games, Open Men’s jump at the 1994 U.S. National Championships, and regularly competing on the Bud Water Ski Tour through the mid-1990s.

He remained engaged in the sport until the end, attending the last two World Championships as a spectator. During the 2021 World Championships, he expressed his excitement and anticipation in an interview with FlowPoint TV, hoping to see the first woman jump 200 feet.

A fierce and intense competitor on the water, but a gentle and kind soul off it, Wiswall will be greatly missed.