MATTHEW BAXTER TO REPRESENT CANADA AT THE U17 WORLDS
Photo by Rob Baxter
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Matthew Baxter to Represent Canada at 2026 IWWF World U17 Waterski Championships
March 26, 2026 – Burlington, ON — Matthew Baxter will represent Canada at the 2026 IWWF World U17 Waterski Championships, taking place April 1–5, 2026, in Córdoba, Argentina. He will compete in the Slalom event as a Wild Card athlete.
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.
Baxter, 15, is a three-event skier who has been competing for six years, but will focus solely on slalom at this event. He holds a personal best of 4.5 buoys at 14.25m (28 off) and is the 2024 Canadian National Champion in Boys U14 Overall.
He was introduced to the sport at a young age through his family. “My dad got me into water skiing by using ice cream to persuade me when I was eight,” he said.
One of Baxter’s standout memories in the sport comes from the jump event. “Feeling a headwind for the first time off the jump,” he shared.
Looking ahead, Baxter has set long-term goals across all three events, including running 35 off in slalom, jumping 150 feet, and scoring 5,000 points in trick. At his first World Championships, he is most looking forward to the experience off the water as well. “Spending time with friends,” he said.
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.