JACOB KUNTZ UNABLE TO COMPETE AT THE U17 WORLDS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jacob Kuntz Unable to Compete at 2026 IWWF World U17 Waterski Championships
March 29, 2026 – Conestogo, ON — Jacob Kuntz will be unable to compete at the 2026 IWWF World U17 Waterski Championships after sustaining an injury during training leading up to Team Canada’s departure for Argentina.
Kuntz, 16, had been selected as a Wild Card athlete and was set to compete in the Slalom and Jump events at his first World Championships. Despite the setback, he will still travel with the team to Córdoba to support his teammates throughout the competition.
The Championships will take place April 1-5, 2026, at Lago Ahumada Nautical Stadium, bringing together more than 110 athletes from over 18 countries to compete in slalom, trick, and jump.
Kuntz has been competing for five years and has achieved strong results at both the provincial and national level. His accomplishments include a Canadian silver medal in Overall, along with multiple Ontario gold medals in Overall and Jump. He holds personal bests of 2 buoys at 13m (32 off) in slalom and 103 feet in jump.
He was introduced to the sport through his family. “My sister got me into it when I was younger. I always loved wakeboarding, and after both siblings started it, I decided to start too,” he said.
Some of his favourite moments in the sport come from time spent training close to home. “Training with my friends at our cottage,” he shared.
Although he will not be competing, Kuntz remains part of Team Canada’s presence at the event and is looking forward to supporting the team and spending time with teammates in Argentina.
He will be joined at the Championships by his brother, Ethan Kuntz, marking one of two sets of siblings representing Canada at the event.
Team Canada wishes Jacob a smooth recovery and looks forward to seeing him back on the water.
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.