2023 WSWC FEMALE ADAPTIVE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Photo Credit: Johnny Hayward Photography
It is with immense pride and honor that we announce Saskatchewan’s Ashley Baerg as the 2023 WSWC Female Adaptive Water Ski Athlete of the Year. Ashley’s journey in the sport is a testament to her resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
After a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashley rekindled her passion for water skiing and embarked on a remarkable journey of skill refinement and athletic achievement. Her training began in April at our High-Performance Camp in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she honed her abilities on the water. Continuing her rigorous pursuit of success, Ashley further trained in her hometown of Saskatoon at the Saskatoon Water Ski Club, enhancing her skills in preparation for the Canadian Nationals.
Ashley’s dedication to her craft was evident as she joined the High-Performance week-long camp in Lacombe, AB, leading up to Nationals, where she competed in all three events. She solidified her position as a key member of the World Championships Team in Sacramento, California, participating in the pre-worlds camp at Lakeside Ranch and showcasing her skills in a local tournament at Bell Aqua Lake.
At the pinnacle of her achievements, Ashley emerged as Canada’s top female team score contributor at the Worlds, contributing a remarkable 2,411.85 points, representing 22.54% of Canada’s total team score. Her stellar performance included securing the bronze in Slalom, a 5th-place finish in tricks, and an impressive 2nd place in Jump. Additionally, she attained the 2nd position in overall points in the seated women category, solidifying her status as a leading figure in adaptive water skiing.
Beyond her athletic prowess, Ashley serves as an exemplary role model, embodying the values of the Adaptive Water Ski Team through her sportsmanship and fair play. Her dedication to excellence and unwavering commitment to the sport make her a beacon of inspiration for women in sports everywhere.
We are incredibly proud to have Ashley representing Canada in adaptive water skiing. Her contributions to the sport are truly commendable, and we have no doubt that she will continue to leave a positive impact on the water skiing community for years to come.
Congratulations, Ashley, on this well-deserved honor!
ADAPTIVE WATER SKI CANADA TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR 2023 DISABLED WORLDS
Photo Credit: Johnny Hayward Photography
We’re thrilled to introduce Team Canada for the 2023 IWWF World Disabled Water Ski Championships! Set to take place from September 11 – 17 in Elk Grove, California
With 14 outstanding athletes, this is the LARGEST team Canada has ever sent to the Worlds! From coast to coast, our team represents in the standing, vision impaired, and seated categories. This diverse and talented group is all set for the Championships, representing the maple leaf and striving for gold
Meet our star skiers:
Marilou Allard
Nolan Barnes
Ashley Baerg
Kendra Erhardt
Rob Gosse
Todd Hubbs
Phil Kerr
Blake Lamontagne
Ryan Riehl
Dave Sagal
Braeson Schacher
Jonathan Sieswerda
Jon Thurston
Gord Tuck
Meet our coaching staff:
Rae-Lee Colcleugh
Todd Schafer
Dave Wassill
Lisa Williams
Over the next couple weeks, we’ll be spotlighting each of our competitors. Diving deeper into their stories and journeys – so stay glued to our social channels!
On the journey to gold, we’re still scouting for sponsors! Want to be part of our history-making voyage? Interested in supporting? Reach out or CLICK HERE
2022 WSWC MALE DEVELOPMENT ADAPTIVE WATER SKI ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – BRAESON SCHACHER
Photo Credit: Johnny Hayward Photography
Congratulations to Braeson Schacher on being named 2022 WSWC Male Development Adaptive Water Ski Athlete of the Year!
Braeson Schacher was committed to training all season long, competing at every tournament that was available to him and qualifying for worlds with his trick score at the US Nationals. He also took his ski ability coaching foundations course and volunteered at every give it a go clinic in Alberta.
2022 WSWC FEMALE DEVELOPMENT ADAPTIVE WATER SKI ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – KENDRA ERHARDT
Congratulations to Kendra Erhardt on being named 2022 WSWC Female Development Adaptive Water Ski Athlete of the Year!
Kendra Erhardt came to a ‘give it a go’ clinic in Edmonton, AB in early June and she was hooked! She was invited to join a high-performance camp in Lacombe, AB in July. This talented athlete trained nonstop for the rest of the summer to be ready to compete in the US Nationals, where she qualified for Worlds. The future is bright for this young lady.
2022 WSWC FEMALE ADAPTIVE WATER SKI ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Esther Berman on being named 2022 WSWC Female Adaptive Water Ski Athlete of the Year!
Esther Berman has been skiing as a completely blind athlete for many years. In the year 2022, Esther had her best year yet. She spent time on the water training in Ottawa and attended the one week High Performance Training Camp in Ontario. She also competed in Easterns and the US Nationals where she qualified for the 2023 Canadian Adaptive Worlds Water Ski Team
2022 WSWC MALE ADAPTIVE WATER SKI ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – BLAKE LAMONTAGNE
Photo Credit: Johnny Hayward Photography.
Blake Lamontagne started his 2022 water ski season in the gym increasing his fitness dramatically. Once the ice came off the lakes, Blake was hard at work on the water. Blake trained at the Saskatoon Water Ski Club, Anne’s Angels in Florida, Predator Bay, Schacres Lake and spent two weeks in California training with some of the US National Team.
Blake attended numerous tournaments this year as well. He attended Westerns in Saskatoon, Nationals in Edmonton, Provincials in Saskatoon and the US Nationals in Paducah, Kentucky. His best cost score of the year was in Paducah in tricks where he received a cost score of over 800 points.
Blake continues to commit fully to his fitness and training and obtaining his goal of a World Record in the 2023 Worlds.
2022 WSWC MALE ADAPTIVE WATER SKI ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – RYAN RIEHL
Photo Credit: Johnny Hayward Photography.
Ryan Riehl is a dedicated and motivated water skier who skis as a blind and deaf athlete. He has competed for over 15 years in the adaptive sport and continues to compete in all 3 events; slalom, trick and jump. Ryan acknowledges the assistance he receives from his coaches and team mates and he appreciates the camaraderie of the National Team.
Ryan loves to ski, is enthusiastic, trains hard, and is a great ambassador of the sport. Over the last 2 years, Ryan has been sharing his experiences through Zoom talks with schools across Saskatchewan. He highlights water skiing a main motivator in living with his disabilities.