Ralf Fröhling passed away last Wednesday, March 27, he was 75.

Fröhling from Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany was President of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) from 1987-2006.

He had to step down due to his failing health and UIM Senior Vice President Charles Strang took over until Dr. Raffaele Chiulli was elected in 2007.

Fröhling had a very successful business in both publishing children’s books and developing children’s toys, he began in powerboat racing as a driver and was very successful running 500cc hydros.

His involvement with the international governing body of the sport, the (UIM) came as a translator.

Having studied and being gifted in speaking many different languages, he was asked to keep communication at a very high level despite the multi-national nature of the UIM organisation.

He quickly moved his way up to the top wrung to the Presidency in his 22 years of work with the organisation.