ANNA WHEELER TO REPRESENT CANADA AT U17 WORLDS
Photo by Darwin Mulligan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Anna Wheeler to Represent Canada at 2026 IWWF World U17 Waterski Championships
March 26, 2026 – Thornhill, ON — Anna Wheeler will represent Canada at the 2026 IWWF World U17 Waterski Championships, taking place April 1-5, 2026, in Córdoba, Argentina. She will compete in the Slalom and Trick events and contribute to Canada’s Team Overall standings.
The Championships will be held at Lago Ahumada Nautical Stadium and will feature more than 110 athletes from over 18 countries competing in slalom, trick, and jump. Following familiarization on March 30-31, competition begins April 1.
Wheeler, 15, brings nine years of competitive experience into her first World Championships. A four-time National Champion in slalom, she has also represented Canada at two Pan American Championships. Her current personal bests include 1 buoy at 12.00m (35 off) in slalom and 1,280 points in trick.
She is one of six athletes selected to compete for Canada in the Team Overall event, where combined scores across all three disciplines determine the overall team standings.
Wheeler’s introduction to water skiing began at an early age, influenced by her family’s deep connection to the sport. “My grandfather and grandmother on my dad’s side were Canadian and world level water skiers, which sparked the interest within my family,” she said. “I started skiing on my small lake at my cottage with my family at the age of two and started competing at around six or seven years old.”
Some of her favourite moments in the sport come from time spent on the water close to home. “I think some of my favourite water ski related memories are skiing at sunset in the middle of the summer or on cold mornings in mid-October at my cottage,” she shared.
Heading into the event, Wheeler is focused on making the most of the opportunity. “Some of my goals are to put as much effort in as I can and do my absolute best. I’d love all the hard work I’ve put in to pay off. Also, I’d love to meet new people and make great memories.”
At the U17 Worlds, she is looking forward to both competition and connection. “I’m looking forward to having hard work pay off, I’m looking forward to spending good time with the team and to making new friends and great memories.”
Outside of water skiing, Wheeler competes in downhill ski racing during the winter, specializing in Ski Cross.
For more information, including event details, start lists, and results, visit:
Event Website: https://ahumadaesquinautico.com/
IWWF Event Page: https://iwwf.sport/world-title-events/u17worlds2026/
Start Lists & Results: https://www.iwwfed-ea.org/classic/26IWWF02/
Media Assets/Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12QdBU0-Hnz_WK6DUHTztNe4GFrin4UZq?usp=sharing
WSWC NAMES 2026 JUNIOR CANADIAN NATIONAL WATER SKI TEAM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada Names 2026 Junior Canadian National Water Ski Team
Rising Canadian athletes selected to represent Canada in U21 and U17 competition
CALGARY, AB – MARCH 19, 2026 – Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada (WSWC) has announced the athletes selected to the 2026 Junior Canadian National Water Ski Team. These athletes earned their selection through strong performances at national and international competitions and represent the next generation of Canadian athletes competing on the world stage.
The Junior National Team program recognizes top Canadian athletes in the Under-21 (U21) and Under-17 (U17) divisions, supporting their development as they progress along Canada’s high-performance pathway. Many of Canada’s top senior national team athletes first represented the country through the Junior National Team program.
Several athletes on the 2026 roster delivered standout performances during the 2025 season. Nellie Allard placed third in Jump at the 2025 IWWF U21 World Waterski Championships. Jacob Chambers earned bronze in Jump and Overall at the 2025 Jr. Pan Am Games, marking the first time water skiing was included in the Jr. Pan Am Games. Kate Pinsonneault won Jump at the 2025 Jr. Pan Am Games and also placed third in Jump at the 2025 Jr. Masters.
The 2026 Junior Canadian National Water Ski Team reflects both experienced junior athletes and emerging competitors who continue to strengthen Canada’s presence internationally.
The athletes selected to the 2026 Junior Canadian National Water Ski Team are:
U21 Athletes
- Nellie Allard – Saint-Donat, QC
- Carly Bonham – Calgary, AB
- Jacob Chambers – Victoria, BC
- Easton Graves – Halifax, NS
- Evan Kraus – Edmonton, AB
- Enzo Kristian – Saskatoon, SK
- Darah Lachance – Hammonds Plains, NS
- Megan Pelkey – Bragg Creek, AB
- Kate Pinsonneault – Penticton, BC
U17 Athletes
- Matthew Baxter – Burlington, ON
- Ryan Cresswell – Brooklin, ON
- Asher Dixon – Kamloops, BC
- Ethan Kuntz – Conestogo, ON
- Jacob Kuntz – Conestogo, ON
- Sophie Strilchuk – Lloydminster, AB (represents Saskatchewan)
- Jace Townsend – Ontario
- Reese Townsend – Ontario
- Anna Wheeler – Thornhill, ON
All nine U17 athletes will be making their World Championships debut next month at the 2026 IWWF World U17 Waterski Championships, marking an important milestone in their development on the international stage. The event will provide these athletes with the opportunity to compete against the world’s best junior competitors while representing Canada internationally.
“These athletes represent the future of Canadian water skiing, and the 2026 Junior National Team reflects the strength of the talent coming through our high-performance pathway,” said Kyle Hunter, High-Performance Director & Sport Coordinator for Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada. “We are proud of what this group has already accomplished and look forward to supporting them as they represent Canada this season.”
These athletes will compete at major national and international events throughout the 2026 season, representing Canada at junior championships and other leading competitions.
About Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada (WSWC) is the national governing body for towed water sports in Canada, including water skiing, wakeboarding, and wakesurfing. WSWC supports athletes from grassroots participation through high-performance competition and oversees national teams representing Canada at international events.