Central Alberta will be represented at the 2025 IWWF World Waterski Championships in Recetto, Italy, this week as local athletes join Team Canada from August 27 to 31.
The 15-athlete roster includes reigning champions, past medalists, and rising stars, highlighting the depth of talent coming from across the country.
The Canadian team enters the championships following a strong performance at the 2023 World Championships, where the team captured silver in the Overall Team event and four individual medals.
Recent successes at the 2025 World U21 Championships in Calgary and the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asuncion have further strengthened the team’s momentum heading into Italy.
Among the Central Alberta athletes competing is Olds’ Ryan Dodd, a five-time World Jump Champion who was named Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada Male Athlete of the Year in 2022.
Dodd also held the number one ranking in the world on the Open Men’s Jump World Ranking List in 2023, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s elite competitors.
Innisfail’s Dorien Llewellyn will compete in the Men’s Overall category, which includes slalom, trick, and jump events.
Llewellyn earned a bronze medal in the Men’s Overall at the 2023 World Championships and captured gold at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima.
With 21 national water-skiing titles to his name, Llewellyn comes from a family of champions, his father, Jaret Llewellyn, is an 11-time world champion and 12-time Pan Am Games medalist, while his uncle Kreg Llewellyn also competed professionally.
Kyle Hunter, High-Performance Director and Sport Coordinator at Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada, said the team “reflects the strength and depth of our program” and expressed confidence in the athletes’ ability to deliver strong performances both individually and in the Overall Team competition.
With World Champions, pro tour medalists, and emerging talent all part of the roster, Team Canada aims to build on its podium finish from 2023 and continue the country’s tradition of excellence on the international waterski stage.
**With information from Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada
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