Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada (WSWC) is thrilled to announce the induction of Carol Ann Duthie into the 2024 Hall of Fame. A trailblazer and a celebrated athlete, Duthie’s remarkable contributions to water skiing have left a lasting mark on the sport in Canada and beyond.
Carol Ann Duthie began her journey into water skiing stardom at the age of 12 when she clinched her first Canadian junior championship in 1950. Her talent quickly caught the attention of the water skiing community, and just a year later, she was a member of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) water ski team.
At 14, Carol Ann made waves on the international stage by winning a bronze medal in the junior women’s slalom event at the 1951 World Water Ski Championships held at Cypress Gardens. This was only the beginning of her career. In 1953, at the World Championships in Toronto, she dominated the junior women’s category, securing titles in slalom, tricks, and overall.
Carol Ann’s accolades extend beyond the international arena. She earned five Ontario titles and a Canadian senior women’s title, showcasing her talent across all levels of competition. Her father, George Duthie, who was the manager of sports at the CNE and the first President of the Canadian Water Ski Association, undoubtedly played a significant role in her success.
In 1952, Carol Ann’s exceptional talent and dedication to the sport earned her the runner-up position for the Lou Marsh Award, recognising Canada’s most outstanding athlete. Four years later, Carol Ann and her father achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first father-daughter duo to be inducted into the Canadian Amateur Sports Hall of Fame.
Her influence extended beyond water skiing as she made significant contributions to the arts. Carol Ann Duthie served as a director of the National Ballet of Canada and was actively involved in numerous committees supporting Canadian opera and ballet. In 1956, she was recognized as Etobicoke, Ontario’s most outstanding citizen.
Duthie’s legacy is further cemented by her inductions into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. Her story is one of passion, perseverance, and a lifelong commitment to excellence, both on the water and in her community.
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is proud to honour Carol Ann Duthie as a 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee, celebrating her outstanding achievements and enduring impact on the sport.
