"The Swami"

March 13, 1943 - June 18, 2012

George Taylor III started water skiing on Long Island Sound in Norwalk, Connecticut during the early 1970s.He slalomed behind a 17’ Cobia with a 455 big block engine, which he built. He vacationed on Lake George in upstate New York.  He soon realized that lake skiing was far more enjoyable than Long Island Sound.He sold the Cobia, purchased a Ski Nautique, gathered up his family, his wife, daughter Kim age 7, son Brett age 2 and headed to Florida.

He relocated in Boynton Beach, purchased a home on a finger canal leading into Lake Ida. He built a trailer ramp, an electronic boat lift and thought he was in 7th heaven.This was an ideal skiing situation!!

George joined the Gold Coast Ski Club located on Lake Ida. He designed and along with other club members built and installed a tournament regulated slalom course where the club could hold tournaments sanctioned by the American Water Ski Association.

In the late 1970s many members of the Gold Coast Ski Club joined the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches to help locate a tournament ski site. The club gained city approval to construct a water ski tournament site at Okeeheelee Park.

George helped to build this site using his many talents to construct boat docks, judging towers and slalom courses. He was not only an innovative craftsman but also an accomplished slalom skier.The site still holds tournaments including Regional and Nationals.

His ability to design, build or fix just about anything was as amazing as his deep passion for water skiing. He accomplished it all- “The Swami”, a name given to him by the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches, a name he lived up to.

His daughter Kim, her husband Ernie, and son Brett, his wife Toni along with five grandsons; Alec, Andrew, Ashton, Nicholas and Michael send thanks to the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches for honoring