The History of Maherajah

Maherajah Water Skis was born! Under the porch of their summer cabin, the Maher brothers- Bill Maher 15, and Bob Maher 12 (the helper)- began building water skis.

The word was out. Local skiers would boat over to the cabin at Jago bay to buy a pair of Maherajah water skis. Bill signed up for a 4 year stint in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Bob was designing new skis and ski components while attending high school in Pleasant Hill, California. Bob competed against Chuck Sterns (the next world champion) in slalom and jump at Lake Merritt located in Oakland, California.

Bob's latest innovations, the slalom "heel holder" and twin 60 fins were a big hit and sold well. Bill (on leave) skied his first race around Alameda on "doubles" while his brother Bob drove and their dad observed.

Bill Maher sold his interest in Maherajah to his little brother Bob for $250.

Maherajah manufactures the first slalom skis with "drop thru" fins. This innovation remains popular today.

Carl Braito helped Bob to develop the spring binding and grooved bottom ski. Later, Bob Maher enters his first race at Pittsburgh, CA, and later won his first race in Sausalito.

Bob Maher moved his shop into his Dad's trucking terminal in Oakland, while serving in the United States Coast Guard Reserve.

Maherajah Water Skis set up shop in Sausalito to be near the San Francisco bay. Bob's new ideas- different sized skis for different sized skiers and skiing speeds- become standard for the industry. The skis also feature beveled edges for better handling.

The first pair of Double High Wrap bindings (Bob's “Mr. M” design) was sold to Nick Marotta of Monterey, California. These bindings remain the most copied bindings in the world. This original design is still one of the hottest selling bindings today, used for both water skiing and wakeboarding.

Maherajah becomes the first manufacturer to sell tunnel concave skis. This innovation also remains popular and mainstream to this day.

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Maherajah Water Skis moves to Healdsburg, CA.

Ski research, development, and assembly move to Braito's Marina, located in Kelseyville, California. Chris La Point wins the Master Slalom Tournament on his 3.5 Maherajah!

Bob La point wins and establishes the National Slalom Record for Jr. Boys.

The famous Maherajah “Right On” girl poster is created.

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Maherajah skiers Browyn Wright and Wayne Ritchie, both from Australia, win the World Ski Racing Championships on MAHA fiberglass racing skis.

Maherajah enjoys success with it's skateboards and customized wood van accessories. The Maherajah 360 proves to be a modern cutting-edge ski.

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Bob La point takes the World Slalom titles on a wood MAHA. Maherajah increases it's product line to include custom wood cutting boards, kitchen products, and even a snow ski.

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Maherajah goes back to it's roots by selling skis factory direct to customers.

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The Maherajah 84” long board racing ski begins to dominate ski racing throughout the world.

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To be continued...