SALT LAKE CITY — Daisy Drury was all smiles as she glided across Lake Powell last month. Giggling on the water, Daisy, who is only 4 months old, appeared to love every second of her record-breaking ride.
Daisy’s parents, Dylan and Meg Drury, have always been impressed with their young daughter’s abilities and strength. The Herriman natives were shocked when, at just 2 months old, Daisy was balancing on her dad’s hands. She swims in the water, has been snow-skiing and horseback riding, never afraid at trying something new.
“She’s a firecracker,” Meg Drury laughed. “She is so full of life and is such a big personality. She’s all in and doesn’t really stop.”
A few months before their Lake Powell trip, the Drurys decided to try and put Daisy on a custom-made water ski. As big waterskiers, the Drurys were excited to encourage Daisy to follow in their footsteps.. Dylan Drury began working on the ski and hand-made every detail for Daisy.
“We made a mold out of foam and, in a vacuum press, we pulled it together like you’d make a skateboard,” he explained. “Then, we cut it out and painted it. We used plumbing material for the handle.”
A bar for stability, flower paint and glued-on water shoes made the ski perfect for Daisy to hold onto and not sink below the water. At their home, the couple put Daisy on the ski to see how she’d like it. She immediately began smiling and laughing, indicating to her parents she may be ready to test out the waters.
Above all, Daisy’s safety was most important.
“We wanted her to know what to do if she did fall in. That was a big thing because it made me a little nervous,” Meg Drury recalled.
Daisy also had to learn to wear a lifejacket and put on the attached shoes. At Lake Powell, they decided it was time to try the custom ski on the water for the first time.
Dylan Drury sat on the swim deck, an arm’s reach from Daisy — in case she fell. After putting her in the shoes and ensuring she was holding onto the handle, the boat started moving slowly.
The moment was electric. Daisy had become what the family believes is the youngest-known waterskier in the world.
“She was giggling and laughing. … She would look around and puff out her chest. She was so proud of herself,” Meg Drury said. “That’s what she would do when we practiced on land and pulled her.”
For the next seven minutes, Daisy cruised into history, laughing all the way. Her parents and extended family cheered from the boat, ecstatic to see Daisy break a record and have so much fun. For the rest of the trip, Daisy went waterskiing every day. She never fell in the water and managed to stay up on the ski each time.
“We are proud of her. It’s something she can always remember. It’s fun to make a little legacy for her, even though she is only 4 months old,” Meg Drury laughed. “As a parent, you think the world of your kids, so it’s fun to put them out there and see them succeed.”
The Drurys also posted Daisy’s ride online and got mixed reviews. Some thought Daisy’s feat was the work of AI. Still, the family knew they wanted to share their happy and positive moment.
The video has inspired other little kids to try new things and push outside of their comfort zone.
“Just trust,” Meg Drury encouraged. “(Kids) are more capable than we are aware.”
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