WSWC AND THE COC ANNOUNCE CANADA’S WATER SKI AND WAKEBOARD TEAM SELECTED TO COMPETE AT THE SANTIAGO 2023 PAN AMERICAN GAMES
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Canada’s water ski and wakeboard team selected to compete at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.
The Team Canada water ski and wakeboard team for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games is:
Athletes:
Water Ski
Dorien Llewellyn (Innisfail, Alta.)
Whitney McClintock Rini (Cambridge, Ont.)
Paige Rini (Winter Garden, Florida)
Neilly Ross (Orlando, Florida)
Wakeboard
Ashley Leugner (Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask.)
Hunter Smith (North Vancouver, B.C.)
Canada qualified the maximum of four water skiers and two wakeboarders thanks to performances at the 2022 IWWF Pan American Championships for the two disciplines. Canada finished third in the overall open team classification for water ski.
Dorien Llewellyn, who is coached by his father, 12-time Pan Am Games medalist Jaret Llewellyn, will make his second appearance at the Pan American Games. At Lima 2019, Llewellyn won gold in the men’s overall water ski event, a silver in tricks and a bronze in jump. At the most recent IWWF World Waterski Championships in 2021, Llewellyn won gold in men’s tricks and silver in men’s overall.
“I am incredibly excited and grateful to have the opportunity to represent Canada at the Pan Am Games for a second time,” said Llewellyn. “Not only does water skiing have a golden history at these Games, but my family does as well, with my father winning 12 Pan Am Games medals himself. The chance to build upon the legacy that we have created together is one that I will continue to cherish every time I am a part of the Canadian team at any level of competition.”
Nine-time IWWF world champion Whitney McClintock Rini will make her fifth appearance at the Pan American Games. In her previous four appearances (Rio 2007, Guadalajara 2011, Toronto 2015 and Lima 2019), she won a total of 14 medals, including five gold. At Santiago 2023, the twenty-year Canadian National Water Ski team veteran will return to the Laguna Los Morros venue where she has competed at numerous times throughout her career, including at the 2013 World Waterski Championships where she won a silver medal in both the women’s slalom and women’s overall.
Paige Rini, who won three bronze medals at Lima 2019 in the women’s slalom, tricks and overall events, will make her second appearance at the Pan Am Games. She finished the 2023 World Water Skiers Overall Tour with a bronze medal for her efforts throughout the season and looks to continue her podium performances at Santiago 2023.
Llewellyn, McClintock Rini and Rini will lend their significant Pan Am Games experience to teammates making their Pan Am debuts – Neilly Ross, Ashley Leugner and Hunter Smith. Ross is the 2017 IWWF world champion in women’s tricks and the 2017 IWWF Female Water Skier of the Year.
“I am beyond excited to be representing Canada at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile,” said Ross. “It has been a dream of mine to compete in this competition across sports for many years, especially in the footsteps of my dad who was able to win several Pan American Games Championships. I can’t wait!”
Ashley Leugner is one of Canada’s most decorated wakeboarders: a 7-time National Champion, World Championship Silver Medalist, Bronze World Cup finisher and many top ten finishes on the world circuit.
“Representing Canada at an event as prestigious as the Pan Am Games is a dream come true!” said Leugner. “It took a long time for women’s wakeboarding to be included in the Games and if I wasn’t able to represent Canada at least once, I would feel like I had unfinished business. I’m very grateful for the opportunity as I’m sure this experience will be one to remember for a lifetime!”
Hunter Smith rose up through the ranks of Wake Canada and Wake BC events winning his first national title at age 9. Smith is Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada’s 2022 Wakeboard Boat Rider Of The Year.
“I’m excited and honoured to represent Canada at the Pan Am Games.” said Smith. “This is something I have been working towards for 14 years! Since I first stepped on a wakeboard at age 7, I fell in love with the sport. It has given me so many great friends and awesome life experiences.”
Water ski and wakeboard have been on the Pan American Games program since Mar del Plata 1995, where Jaret Llewellyn won the inaugural gold medal in men’s jump and men’s tricks in water ski. Since then, Canada has won a total of 56 Pan American Games medals in water ski and wakeboard, the highest total of any country.
Water ski and wakeboard will take place October 21 to 24 (Days 1 to 4) at the Laguna Los Morros in the San Bernardo district of Santiago.
“As the Chef de Mission, I am proud to extend a warm welcome to these water ski and wakeboard athletes to the Canadian team on our way to the Pan American Games,” said Christine Girard, Team Canada’s Santiago 2023 Chef de Mission. “In a competition where the waves of Olympic recognition have not yet reached, our team composed of Pan American Games medallists and rookies promises to showcase skill and passion. Let’s make history and ride the tides of success at the 2023 Pan Am Games!”
Team Canada’s water ski and wakeboard team coaches and support staff for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games are:
Kyle Hunter (Paris, Ont.) – Team Leader
Jaret Llewellyn (Innisfail, Alta.) – Water ski coach
Matt Rini (Kingston, Ont.) – Water ski coach
Drew Ross (Belleville, Ont.) – Water ski coach
Dary Znebel (Mississauga, Ont.) – Wakeboard coach
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organisations.
The latest Team Canada Santiago 2023 roster can be found here.
Watch the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games Broadcast Channel here.
Follow the Live Results here.
WSC ANNOUNCES COACHING TEAM FOR 2023 IWWF WORLD WATER SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
From left to right: Cole Grant, Jaret Llewellyn, Matt Rini, and Drew Ross. Professional Team Canada Headshots: Johnny Hayward Photography.
In celebration of National Coaches Week, Water Ski Canada is thrilled to spotlight its elite coaching team for the 2023 International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) World Water Ski Championships. The competition will run from October 7 to October 15, 2023, and will be held at the picturesque Sunset Lakes in Groveland, Florida.
National Coaches Week serves as a fitting moment to honour the dedication, passion, and expertise of our coaches. This year’s team of coaches, all accomplished individuals in their own right, will guide and mentor Team Canada as they aim for victory. The esteemed coaching line-up includes:
- Cole Grant (MB): A dynamic force in the water ski world, Grant brings years of competitive experience and a keen strategic insight, making him an invaluable addition to the team.
- Jaret Llewellyn (AB): A legend in the sport, Llewellyn’s unmatched expertise and insight have garnered him global acclaim. His experience as an Overall Champion and Coach is instrumental for Team Canada.
- Matt Rini (ON): With a background as both a world-class competitor and coach, Rini’s unique blend of tactical knowledge and motivational skill ensures the athletes remain at the top of their game.
- Drew Ross (ON): With a storied career both on and off the water, Ross’s passion and dedication to the sport resonate with every athlete he mentors. His analytical approach to coaching is second to none.
“Each coach on our team brings a distinct set of skills and a wealth of experience. As we celebrate them during National Coaches Week, we are reminded of their unwavering commitment to our athletes and the sport. Their collective expertise positions Team Canada strongly for the World Championships,” said a spokesperson for Water Ski Canada.
The IWWF World Water Ski Championships is a pinnacle event in the water ski calendar, attracting top-tier athletes from around the globe. With the combined guidance of our revered coaching staff, Water Ski Canada is confident in Team Canada’s readiness to showcase their skills on the world stage.
About Water Ski Canada
Water Ski Canada is the national governing body for water skiing in Canada. Our mission is to promote, foster, and develop the sport of water skiing in all its forms throughout the country. We support athletes at all levels, from grassroots to high performance, and work to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.
JARET LLEWELLYN NAMED IWWF MALE WATER SKIER OF THE QUARTER CENTURY 1995 – 2019
In consideration of the current global pandemic, the IWWF Bureau made the decision
that it would not be appropriate to have the 2020 IWWF Skiers, Riders and Athletes of
the Year Awards. In light of 2021 being the 75th Anniversary of the IWWF, it was
decided that each sport division council should choose their Skiers and Riders of the
Decade 2010–2019 and select their Female and Male Skiers and Riders of the past 25
years.
Canada is pleased to congratulate Jaret Llewellyn on being named IWWF Male Water
Skier of the Quarter Century 1995-2019.
A phenomenal athlete, Jaret has made an indelible mark on the sport and is part of an
illustrious water ski dynasty that has helped to change the world water ski community
for the better. Jaret and his brother Kreg first learned to water ski at Dodd’s Lake in
Innisfail, Alberta, where both brothers took quickly to the sport and rose rapidly to the
world stage, both becoming champions. Kreg is noted to be Jaret’s inspiration and hero
both on and off the water. Parent’s Don and Chris, volunteered countless hours hosting,
officiating and supporting tournaments and actively contributing to the water ski
community. Married to Austrian water ski world champion, Britta Llewellyn, their son
Dorien has followed his parents and uncle’s footsteps and is a champion skier as well
and has won several titles, including Gold at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima.
With a total of 7 elite world individual titles, Jaret had the most elite world individual titles
of any male skier in the history of tournament water skiing. What makes this more
impressive is that those 7 titles are spread across 3 events – Jump, Trick and Overall.
Jaret has 117 professional wins, 9 World Titles,11 World Records and 3 IWWF World
Championship Team titles competing with Canada. Jaret is a 24-time Moomba
champion, 5-time US Masters Overall Champion and 4-time Jump Champion. In the last
25 years, Jaret held the IWWF World Overall record for 14 years and IWWF Jump
Record for 2 years.
In addition to his on water accomplishments, Jaret has worked just as hard off the water
to build the sport of water ski, serving on countless boards and associations.
Congratulations Jaret!
To view Jaret’s World Water Skiers profile CLICK HERE
JARET LLEWELLYN- Skieur nautique masculin du quart de siècle 1995 – 2019 de la FISNP
Ski nautique et planche Canada félicite Jaret Llewellyn qui a été choisi le skieur
nautique masculin du quart de siècle par la Fédération internationale de ski nautique et
de planche (FISNP).
À cause de la pandémie globale actuelle, le conseil de la FISNP a pris la décision qu’il
ne serait pas approprié de présenter les prix de skieurs, planchistes et athlètes de
l’année de la FISNP 2020. Puisque 2021 est le 75e anniversaire de la FISNP, il a été
décidé que le conseil de chaque division sportive choisirait ses skieurs et planchistes de
la décennie 2010–2019 et choisirait ses skieurs et planchistes féminins et masculins
des 25 dernières années.
Le Canada est heureux de féliciter Jaret Llewellyn qui a été choisi le skieur nautique
masculin du quart de siècle 1995-2019 par la FISNP.
Un athlète phénoménal, Jaret a laissé une marque indélébile sur le sport et fait partie
d’une illustre dynastie de ski nautique qui a aidé à changer la collectivité mondiale de
ski nautique pour le mieux. Jaret et son frère Kreg ont d’abord appris à skier à Dodd’s
Lake, à Innisfail, en Alberta, où les deux frères ont rapidement adopté le sport et se
sont rapidement hissés sur la scène mondiale. Kreg est reconnu comme étant
l’inspiration et le héros de Jaret sur et hors de l’eau. Leurs parents Don et Chris ont
fourni un nombre incalculable d’heures de bénévolat pour organiser, juger et soutenir
des compétitions et contribuer activement à la collectivité du ski nautique. Marié à la
championne du monde de ski nautique australienne, Britta Llewellyn, leur fils Dorien a
suivi les traces de ses parents et de son oncle et est aussi un skieur champion et il a
remporté plusieurs titres, dont une médaille d’or aux Jeux parapanaméricains de 2019 à
Lima.
Avec un total de sept titres mondiaux élites individuels, Jaret a le plus de titres
mondiaux élites individuels parmi tous les skieurs masculins dans l’histoire des
compétitions de ski nautique. Ce qui est le plus impressionnant est que ces sept titres
se répartissent dans trois épreuves – sauts, figures et combiné. Jaret a 117 victoires
professionnelles, neuf titres mondiaux,11 records mondiaux et trois titres des
championnats du monde par équipe de la FISNP avec le Canada. Jaret est 24 fois
champion Moomba, cinq fois champion du combiné du US Masters et quatre fois
champion des sauts. Dans les 25 dernières années, Jaret a détenu le record du monde
du combiné de la FISNP pendant 14 ans et le record du monde des sauts de la FISNP
pendant deux ans.
En plus de ses réalisations sur l’eau, Jaret a travaillé tout aussi fort hors de l’eau pour
bâtir le sport de ski nautique, participant à de nombreux conseils d’administration et
associations.
Félicitations Jaret!
THE NAUTIQUE MOOMBA MASTERS IS BACK FOR THE 60TH YEAR!
Western Championship
Jaret and Dorien Llewellyn Promote The Western WaterSki Championships.
