91-year-old Blackfoot man breaks world record in water skiing

BLACKFOOT — A remarkably active 91-year-old Blackfoot man has been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Charles Horrocks was added to the record book on Oct. 18 for being the oldest male water skier.

He broke the world record in June 2016, while skiing at Lake Powell, Utah. Horrocks’s grandson, Mike Miller, was with his grandfather at Lake Powell and had the thought that his
then 90-year-old grandfather might just be the oldest water skier out there.

“I called (Guinness) and said I think my grandfather has broken a world record,” Miller said. Miller recorded his grandfather water skiing and sent the necessary information to Guinness. At the time Horrocks was 90 years and 174 days old.

Miller asked his grandfather how he set the record he replied, “I started young and have been skiing every summer.”

Horrocks began water skiing at the age of 15, and has skied Lake Powell since the first year it was created in 1963, when the Colorado River was dammed and flooded the Glen Canyon. He has also skied Yellowstone Lake.

“I have been skiing for 75 years,” Horrocks said. “It’s just fun. It’s a good family and friends get together.”

When asked how a 91-year old man is still water skiing he said, “I have worked hard all my life, I eat right and I have always exercised.”

Horrocks was born and raised in Blackfoot and other than the three years spent in the military during World War II, he has always lived in Blackfoot.

In 1948, he and his brother started Horrocks’ Ready Mix in Blackfoot and later expanded to Pocatello where it is called Pocatello Ready Mix. He also cared for his wife Dallas, who passed away four and a half years ago from Alzheimer’s.

“Charles is a pretty accomplished person and has lived an honorable life thus far,” Miller said.