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Jolene Allen started wakesurfing 10 years ago and began competing in the scene shortly after.
She says she went to an event and ended up winning. Following that, she was hooked.
"Fast forward now and I actually help volunteer for the Alberta tour and I'm the head judge."
Allen also hosts a wakesurfing camp for kids at her house on Chestermere Lake in the summer.
"Having the availability to be on the lake on a daily basis, especially because for Canadians our season is extremely short compared to other riders who have the ability to ride year-round," says Allen.
She's also participated in the sport at an international level.
"Last year we went to Switzerland, and we were in London," mentioned Allen.
The wakesurfer said the sport is a great way to make friends and meet new people worldwide.
Now Allen is gearing up to compete in the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation World Wakesurf Championships in Hong Kong, China.
The event is also meant for athletes to qualify for the World Games.
"From the World Games is where they essentially pick events to partake in the Olympics," added Allen. "For the sport of wakesurfing it's a big deal that we're getting recognition from bigger entities."
She says Team Canada is hoping to bring home a few gold medals during this year's event.
Allen will compete in the Veteran Women Skim, which is for anyone over 40 years old.
"They separate it that way so that people are on the same playing field if you will," says Allen.
Awards will be given out per country for the event.
"The more gold medals that Canada wins will put us in a place where Canada could win some recognition for having some really talented athletes," explained Allen.
She said because the team is trying to secure multiple gold medals in different categories all athletes are sprinkled throughout divisions for more opportunities to win.
Athletes in the open division have a chance to win up to USD $30,000.
The event will run from November 2-10 at Tai Po Waterfront Park.
"The official familiarization runs from November 2-4, allowing athletes to adjust to the venue before qualification rounds begin on November 4. The competition then heats up with Last Chance Qualifiers (LCQ), semi-finals, and finals, culminating in six days of live-streamed action from November 5-10, wrote Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada in a news release.
The organization provided a full list of competing athletes:
● Bailey Rush – Open Women Skim & Surf, Ponoka, Alberta.
● Amy Gillespie – Open Women Skim & Surf, Calgary, Alberta.
● Bennett Bateman – Grom Boys Surf, Ponoka, Alberta.
● Jolene Allen – Veteran Women Skim, Chestermere, Alberta.
● Kerry Williams – Jr. Men Skim, Calgary, Alberta.
● Lily Anderson – Open Women Surf, British Columbia.
● Morgan Bateman – Jr. Women Skim & Surf, Ponoka, Alberta.
More details on the event can be viewed here.