WSWC NAMES 2026 CANADIAN NATIONAL WATER SKI TEAM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada Names 2026 Canadian National Water Ski Team
World Champions and international medalists headline Canada’s national team roster
CALGARY, AB – MARCH 19, 2026 – Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada (WSWC) has announced the athletes selected to the 2026 Canadian National Water Ski Team. These athletes earned their selection through strong performances at national and international competitions and will represent Canada throughout the upcoming season.
The Canadian National Water Ski Team program recognizes athletes from across several tiers based on competitive results and international rankings. The 2026 team features multiple world champions, record holders, and rising international stars.
“Canada continues to produce some of the best water ski athletes in the world, and this year’s national team reflects both the strength and depth of our high-performance program,” said Kyle Hunter, High-Performance Director & Sport Coordinator for Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada. “We are proud of the performances these athletes delivered last season and look forward to supporting them as they represent Canada on the international stage throughout 2026.”
Several athletes delivered standout performances during the 2025 season.
Jaimee Bull of North Bay, ON, continued her dominance in Women’s Slalom, becoming a three-time and three-peat World Champion. Bull also secured the Waterski Pro Tour Championship in 2025.
Ryan Dodd of Olds, AB, a five-time World Champion and current world record holder in Men’s Jump, placed second at the 2025 IWWF World Waterski Championships. Dodd also recently captured the 2026 Moomba Masters Men’s Jump title, adding another major victory to his career.
Dorien Llewellyn, originally from Lake Worth, FL, with family roots in Innisfail, AB, is the reigning Men’s Overall World Champion. At the 2025 IWWF World Waterski Championships, Llewellyn also earned bronze in Men’s Jump.
Charlie Ross of Winter Garden, FL, who trains in Muskoka, ON during the summer, continued his rise in Men’s Slalom in 2025. Charlie is the two-time and reigning U21 World Champion, finished second in Men’s Slalom at the 2025 IWWF World Waterski Championships, and is the U21 world record holder. Most recently, he captured his second consecutive Moomba Masters Men’s Slalom title.
Neilly Ross, Charlie’s sister, also from Winter Garden, FL, and training in Muskoka during the summer months, is the reigning Women’s Trick World Champion. She recently finished second in Women’s Trick at the 2026 Moomba Masters.
Several other athletes on the 2026 team have also achieved significant success on the international stage. Whitney McClintock-Rini of Cambridge, Ontario is a nine-time World Champion and multiple-time Pan Am Games medalist. Hannah Stopnicki of Montreal, Quebec is the reigning U21 World Champion in Women’s Trick. Cole McCormick, originally from Dundee, Florida with family roots in Kitchener, Ontario, placed third in Men’s Slalom at the 2025 Masters, after winning the event the previous year. Stephen Neveu of Calgary, Alberta is a multiple-time professional event podium finisher, Pan Am Games silver medalist, and World Championships bronze medalist in Men’s Slalom. Paige Pigozzi, from Florida with family roots in Kingston, ON, is a multiple time Pan Am Games medalist and professional event podium finisher.
The 2026 Canadian National Water Ski Team reflects both experienced international competitors and emerging athletes who continue to elevate Canada’s presence on the world stage.
The athletes selected to the 2026 Canadian National Water Ski Team are:
Tier 1
- Jaimee Bull – North Bay, ON
- Ryan Dodd – Olds, AB
- Dorien Llewellyn – Lake Worth, FL (family from Innisfail, AB)
- Charlie Ross – Winter Garden, FL (trains in Muskoka, ON during the summer)
- Neilly Ross – Winter Garden, FL (trains in Muskoka, ON during the summer)
Tier 2
- Whitney Rini – Cambridge, ON
- Paige Pigozzi – Clermont, FL (family from Kingston, ON)
Tier 4
- Olivia Chute – Fall River, NS
- Cole McCormick – Dundee, FL (family from Kitchener, ON)
Tier 5
- Hannah Stopnicki – Montreal, QC
Tier 6
- Thomas Daigle – Saint-Hippolyte, QC
- Carter Lucas – Saskatoon, SK
- Stephen Neveu – Calgary, AB
These athletes will compete at major national and international competitions throughout the 2026 season, representing Canada at professional tour stops and international championships.
About Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada (WSWC) is the national governing body for towed water sports in Canada. WSWC supports athletes from grassroots participation through high-performance competition and oversees national teams representing Canada at international events.
CANADIAN WATER SKI ATHLETES SHINE AT THE 2023 IWWF WORLD WATERSKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
Team Canada at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2023 IWWF World Waterski Championships. Photo Credit: Johnny Hayward Photography
The Canadian Water Ski Team has left a lasting mark at the 2023 IWWF World Waterski Championships, which unfolded from October 10 to 15 at Sunset Lakes in Groveland, Florida. The extraordinary dedication and exceptional skill of Canada’s 18 athletes were on full display, resulting in a haul of 10 top 5 finishes, 2 gold medals, 2 bronze medals, and the highly coveted Team Overall silver medal. Every athlete made their nation proud in this thrilling competition.
6-Member Canadian Team:
The 6-Member Canadian Team was on full display as the team not only secured second place behind Team USA (with France taking third), but also participated in eight finals across the slalom, tricks, and jump events.
Ryan Dodd (AB) demonstrated his talent in the Men’s Jump event. During the preliminary round, he jumped 69m/226ft, securing the top seed. In the Men’s Jump Finals, Ryan delivered a breathtaking first jump of 69.9m/229ft, which earned him the coveted title of World Champion. This remarkable victory marked Ryan’s fifth consecutive World Title, reaffirming his status as a legendary water ski champion.
Dorien Llewellyn (AB) showcased unshakable determination, battling through a foot injury that had kept him sidelined for the majority of the season. Against all odds, he not only qualified for the Men Tricks Finals but also secured a bronze in Men Overall.
Neilly Ross (ON) showcased her exceptional abilities in both Women Slalom and Tricks, securing a respectable 4th place in each event. In the Slalom Finals, she ran 2@10.75m/39off, which tied her for 3rd place but ultimately led to a well-deserved 4th position.
Paige Rini (ON) made an unforgettable debut in the World Jump Finals. Paige also secured a 5th place finish in Women Tricks and a 4th place finish in Women Overall.
Conley Pinette (BC) left his mark in Men’s Jump, earning a finals spot and finishing in the 9th position.This achievement marked Conley’s highest Worlds placement and is a testament to his dedication and growing expertise.
Whitney McClintock Rini (ON), despite an unfortunate early fall in the finals, played a pivotal role in ensuring Team Canada’s overall placement, demonstrating her commitment to the team’s success.
Canadian Individual Athletes:
Jaimee Bull (ON) entered the competition as the reigning World Champion in Women Slalom and added another feather to her cap by securing the back-to-back World Championship Title.
Stephen Neveu (AB) exhibited his finesse in Men’s Slalom, earning his first World Medal with a Bronze and achieving an impressive score of 3@10.25m/41off.
Cole McCormick (ON) marked his debut in a Worlds Final with a remarkable performance in Men Slalom, securing the 4th position with a score of 3@10.75m/41off.
Olivia Chute (NS) showcased her skills by reaching the Women Tricks Finals, marking her first appearance in a World Finals and finishing in the 9th position.
Hannah Stopnicki (QC) made a remarkable impression during her first Open Worlds. She exceeded expectations in the preliminary rounds, setting a personal best with a score of 7260 points, the first time she tricked over 7000. This achievement secured her a spot in the Women Tricks Final, where she finished in 10th place.
Megan Pelkey (AB) marked her inaugural World Championships, showcasing the bright future of Canadian water skiing.
Dominique Grondin-Allard (QC) was a force in Women Jump, entering the finals as the second seed, her jump measuring 51.9m/170ft.
Thomas Daigle (QC) made an impactful debut, jumping an astounding 61.1m/200ft in Men Jump – a personal best and first time jumping 200 feet.
Carter Lucas (SK), on his first World Championships appearance, leaped 57.7m/189ft in Men Jump prelims.
Charlie Ross (ON) in his second World Championships appearance scored a commendable 3.5@10.75m/39off in Men Slalom.
Jamie Calhoun (ON), in his second World Championships, scored 3@10.75m/39off in Men Slalom.
Bradley Gibbons (AB), a fresh face in the Men Slalom event, made his mark at his debut World Championships.
Water Ski Canada commends every athlete for their unwavering commitment, resilience, and exceptional skill. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to future generations and reinforce Canada’s position as a dominant force in the world of waterskiing.
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.
Thank you to MyFamily Pets Canada and MyFamily Pets for the Team Canada Uniform sponsorship.
Compete Results, https://www.iwwfed-ea.org/classic/23IWWF13/
More photos of skiers are available on Getty Images, https://www.gettyimages.ca/search/photographer?photographer=Johnny%20Hayward
WSC ANNOUNCES ATHLETES FOR THE 2023 IWWF WORLD WATER SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
Professional Team Canada Headshots: Johnny Hayward Photography
Water Ski Canada is elated to announce the selection of its national athletes who will compete in the highly anticipated 2023 World Water Ski Championships. The world-class event is set to take place from October 7 to October 15, 2023, at the iconic Sunset Lakes in Groveland, FL.
Canadian Team Athletes (6 Persons):
- Ryan Dodd (AB) – Specialty: Jump
- Dorien Lewellyn (AB) – Specialties: Slalom, Trick, Jump
- Conley Pinette (BC) – Specialties: Slalom, Trick, Jump
- Paige Rini (ON) – Specialties: Slalom, Trick, Jump
- Neilly Ross (ON) – Specialties: Slalom, Trick
- Whitney McClintock Rini – Specialty: Slalom
Individual Athletes:
- Jaimee Bull (ON) – Specialty: Slalom
- Jamie Calhoun (ON) – Specialty: Slalom
- Cole McCormick (ON) – Specialty: Slalom
- Stephen Neveu (AB) – Specialty: Slalom
- Charlie Ross (ON) – Specialty: Slalom
- Olivia Chute (NS) – Specialties: Trick and Slalom (Wild Card)
- Hannah Stopnicki (QC) – Specialty: Trick
- Dominique Grondin-Allard (QC) – Specialty: Jump
Wild Card Athletes:
- Thomas Daigle (QC) – Specialty: Jump
- Carter Lucas (SK) – Specialty: Jump
- Megan Pelkey (AB) – Specialty: Trick
- Bradley Gibbons (AB) – Specialty: Slalom
Water Ski Canada is proud to have Kyle Hunter on board as the Team Manager for the championships, ensuring our athletes receive top-tier support throughout the competition.
This stellar lineup of athletes represents the talent, dedication, and passion in the world of water skiing in Canada. The country will undoubtedly be watching with immense pride and anticipation as our athletes showcase their skills on the global 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.
Professional Team Canada Headshots: Johnny Hayward Photography