CANADA SENDS TEAM TO FIRST-EVER IWWF WORLD WAKESURF CHAMPIONSHIPS
Canadian athletes set to compete on the world stage and vie to qualify for 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China
CALGARY, AB, OCT 31, 2024 – Wake Canada is thrilled to announce that seven talented Canadian riders will represent the nation at the inaugural International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) World Wakesurf Championships in Hong Kong, China. This historic event, taking place from November 2-10, marks the first time wakesurfing has been included in the IWWF’s world championships, underscoring the sport’s rapid growth and rising global popularity.
Wakesurfing is one of the fastest-growing watersports in the world, with its rapid rise showcased at prestigious events and its upcoming debut at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China. Replacing water skiing at The World Games, wakesurfing will join its sister board sport, wakeboarding, further solidifying its place on the global stage. This momentum sets the stage for exciting competition at the inaugural IWWF World Wakesurf Championships in Hong Kong, China, a crucial qualifier for The World Games 2025.
“It’s an incredible honour to see these athletes represent our country at these championships,” says Denver Rush, Team Captain, Wake Canada. “These riders have trained hard, pushed boundaries, and demonstrated the skill and dedication it takes to compete on a global stage. We are proud to showcase Canada’s wakesurf talent and can’t wait to see what our team will accomplish at this landmark event.”
The Canadian team is set to compete in various divisions, showcasing their skills across both skim and surf disciplines, led by Bailey Rush, two-time CWSA Pro World and Canadian champion in skim and surf disciplines, and the only female rider to ever win both disciplines. Team Canada includes:
- Bailey Rush – Open Women Skim & Surf, Ponoka, Alberta
- Amy Gillespie – Open Women Skim & Surf, Calgary, Alberta
- Bennett Bateman – Grom Boys Surf, Ponoka, Alberta
- Jolene Allen – Veteran Women Skim, Chestermere, Alberta
- Kerry Williams – Jr. Men Skim, Calgary, Alberta
- Lily Anderson – Open Women Surf, British Columbia
- Morgan Bateman – Jr. Women Skim & Surf, Ponoka, Alberta
Hosted at Tai Po Waterfront Park, the event will feature a $30,000 USD prize purse.
The official familiarization runs from November 2-4, allowing athletes to adjust to the venue before qualification rounds begin on November 4. The competition then heats up with Last Chance Qualifiers (LCQ), semi-finals, and finals, culminating in six days of live-streamed action from November 5-10, accessible through IWWF’s YouTube channel.
Wake Canada invites fans and supporters to cheer on the team by tuning in to the live stream and following the action on Wake Canada’s Instagram.
For more information on the event, schedule, and live streaming details, visit the official event page: https://iwwf.sport/world-title-events/iwwfwakesurfworlds2024/
Photos of the athletes for use in publication can be found here.
About Wake Canada:
Canada has a rich history as a leading Wake Sports nation, with Canadian athletes achieving many world titles and podiums across all wake sports genres. The national Wake Sports council of Water Ski & Wakeboard Canada, WAKE CANADA supports the growth and progression of wakesurf, wakeboard, wake park, wakeskate and wake foil, including three annual national championships, Elite National Team athletes and Development National Team athletes representing Canada on the world stage. Follow @wakecanada on Instagram for the latest news on wake sports in Canada.
NOLAN GODDARD REPRESENTS CANADA AT THE 2024 IWWF WORLD BAREFOOT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is proud to announce that Nolan Goddard from Uxbridge, Ontario, will be competing as a member of the U23 Canadian Team at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships in Auburndale, Florida, from October 5-12, 2024.
Nolan, who has been competing for eight years, will showcase his skills in the Slalom, Trick, and Jump events. His personal bests include 8 points in Slalom, 1400 points in Trick, and a jump of 12.7 meters.
Reflecting on his journey in the sport, Nolan recalls one of his favorite barefoot-related memories being the first time jumping inverted. He started in barefooting from the guidance of Mike Spence, who showed him the ropes of barefooting. Nolan aims to become a Canadian Champion.
Beyond the water, Nolan is also the captain of his junior hockey club, demonstrating his leadership and dedication to sport. He is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to connect with fellow skiers and watch world-class athletes perform at their best during the World Championships.
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
CHRISTINA NADALIN SET TO COMPETE AT THE 2024 IWWF WORLD BAREFOOT CHAMPIONSHIPS IN FLORIDA
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is excited to announce that Christina Nadalin from Huntsville, Ontario, will compete at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships in Auburndale, Florida, from October 5-12, 2024. Nadalin has been selected as the reserve for the Open Canadian Team and has also qualified as an individual competitor in the Trick event.
Over the past three years, Christina has made significant strides in her barefoot skiing career, achieving a personal best of 1500 points in Trick. With a passion for the sport ignited by her experiences with Showski Canada, Christina honed her skills under the guidance of Taylor Nullmeyer, who taught her tricks and got her into competition. In addition to her accomplishments, Christina is proud to be a member of Showski Canada’s National Team.
As she prepares for the World Championships, Christina has set a clear goal: to successfully stand up her passes and showcase her talent on the world stage. She is eager to connect with fellow skiers from around the globe, sharing her love for the sport and representing Canada with pride.
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
ALEX SICKINGER TO COMPETE AT THE 2024 IWWF WORLD BAREFOOT WATER SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is proud to announce that Alex Sickinger, from Bracebridge, Ontario, will compete at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, taking place in Auburndale, Florida, from October 5-12, 2024.
As a member of the Junior Canadian Team, Alex will be competing in both the Slalom and Trick events. Despite having only 2-3 years of competitive experience, Alex has already made his mark on the barefoot water skiing scene. He has personal best scores of 5.2 points in Slalom and 670 points in Trick.
Alex’s passion for the sport began early on, inspired by his dad and his time at the Lake of Bays Marina. One of his favorite barefooting memories is barefooting with a Canadian flag at just 8 years old.
A multi-sport athlete, Alex stays active year-round playing hockey, snowmobiling, and riding dirt bikes. His goal for the future is to land a back-to-front. In addition to the World Championships, Alex is excited to meet new people and enjoy the experience of competing internationally.
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
BECKY MEYER SET TO REPRESENT CANADA AT THE 2024 WORLD BAREFOOT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is proud to announce that Becky Meyer, hailing from Prince Edward County, Ontario, will be competing at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships in Auburndale, Florida, from October 5-12, 2024. Becky will represent Canada on the Open Team, competing in the Slalom, Trick, and Jump events.
With 20 years of competitive barefooting experience, Becky Meyer is a seasoned athlete with numerous accomplishments to her name. Notably, she captured bronze medals in the Open Women’s Jump event at both the 2018 and 2010 World Championships. She has also held the title of Canadian Open Women’s Champion since 2013.
Becky’s personal bests include a Slalom score of 12.4 points, 3310 points in Trick, and a Jump distance of 13.7 meters. Her favourite memory in the sport came during the 2018 World Championships in Napanee, Ontario, where she won bronze in the Jump event with her entire family cheering her on from the sidelines.
Becky got started barefooting with friends at her parents’ cottage, and now is thrilled to be sharing the World Championships experience with her two daughters. Becky’s 5-year-old even got up barefooting on the boom this summer, which was such a proud moment.
Becky’s goal is to continue to water ski for as long as she can. She extends her heartfelt thanks to her parents and family for their unwavering support throughout her career.
The 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships will bring together the world’s best barefoot athletes in an intense week of competition. Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is excited to cheer on Becky Meyer as she represents Canada on the global stage.
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
TRISTAN LARIVIERE TO COMPETE AT THE 2024 IWWF WORLD BAREFOOT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Photo Credit: Daniel Sr Lariviere
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is proud to announce that Tristan Larivière, from Les Cèdres, Québec, will be representing Canada at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships. The event will take place in Auburndale, Florida from October 5-12, 2024.
At just 16 years old, Tristan is a rising star on the Junior Canadian Barefoot Water Ski Team, where he will compete in Slalom, Trick, and Jump events. Despite only competing for three years, Tristan has already made significant strides in the sport, becoming the Junior Boys Canadian Champion in 2023 and 2024.
Tristan’s Personal Bests:
Slalom: 8.23 points
Trick: 1460 points
Jump: 10.2 meters
Tristan’s passion for barefoot water skiing began with family inspiration from his father, Daniel, and older brother, Mathis. One of his favorite memories is barefooting alongside them at the same time behind the boat.
His goal for the future is to land a 12-meter jump, a feat he has been working toward. Outside of barefooting, Tristan is also an accomplished Olympic weightlifter, competing at the national level.
In addition to competing at the World Championships, Tristan is excited to connect with barefoot skiers from around the world, with hopes of gaining tips and insights from his international peers.
The 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships will bring together the best barefoot athletes from across the globe, and we are thrilled to see Tristan represent Canada on this stage.
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
MATHIS LARIVIERE TO REPRESENT CANADA AT THE IWWF WORLD BAREFOOT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Photo Credit: Daniel Sr Lariviere
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is thrilled to announce that Mathis Larivière, from Les Cèdres, Québec, will be competing at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships in Auburndale, Florida, from October 5-12, 2024. Mathis, a member of the U23 Canadian Team, will compete in the Slalom, Trick, and Jump events.
With five years of experience, Mathis has already made a significant mark in the sport. His personal bests include 8.53 in slalom, 1570 points in trick, and a jump distance of 10.9 meters. His competitive resume boasts three Canadian Junior Championship titles (2019, 2021, 2022) and being the back-to-back Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada Junior Barefoot Athlete of the Year in 2021 and 2022.
Mathis’ journey in barefooting began by watching his father on the water and eventually learning from him. Today, his favourite barefooting memory is spending time on the lake at sunset with his father and brother. For the future, Mathis’ goal is to qualify for the Open Team, continuing his rise in the barefoot world.
Outside of barefooting, Mathis is a business management student at an English college, despite his French background. He looks forward to reuniting with barefooters from around the globe at the World Championships, where the sport’s community spirit shines brightest.
Mathis would like to extend his gratitude to Popeye’s Supplements Quebec for their support and sponsorship as he pursues his World Championship dreams.
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
BREM ALLEN TO COMPETE AT THE 2024 IWWF WORLD BAREFOOT WATER SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS
Photo Credit: Paul Ruppert
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is proud to announce that Brem Allen, from Lakehurst, Ontario, will be representing Canada at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, taking place in Auburndale, Florida, from October 5-12, 2024. Brem will compete as a member of the Open Canadian Team, participating in the Slalom, Trick, and Jump events.
With 20 years of barefoot water skiing experience, Brem has earned the title of being the Open Men’s National Champion eight times and continues to set high expectations for himself. His personal bests include 17 points in Slalom, 8,600 points in Trick, and a 26m jump distance—showcasing his exceptional skills across multiple disciplines.
A defining moment in Brem’s barefoot career was landing his first inverted jump. His goal for the future is to trick 10,000 points, a milestone that would further solidify his status among the elite barefoot skiers in the world. As a competitor, Brem is most excited about the jump event at this year’s World Championships.
Brem’s love for barefoot water skiing started with his parents, and over the years, he has grown into one of Canada’s most accomplished barefoot athletes. Outside of the sport, an interesting fact about Brem is that he climbs trees for a living.
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
OTTAWA’S MARCEL BRUNET READY TO COMPETE AT THE BAREFOOT WORLDS
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is proud to announce that Marcel Brunet, from Ottawa, Ontario, will be representing Canada at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships. The competition will take place from October 5-12, 2024, in Auburndale, Florida. Marcel will compete as a member of the Canadian Open Team in both the Slalom and Trick events.
With 22 years of competitive barefooting under his belt, Marcel brings a wealth of experience to the world stage. His personal bests include 12.6 points in Slalom and 2300 points in Trick. Marcel’s love for the sport began when a friend introduced him to barefoot water skiing over two decades ago, and his passion has only grown since.
Reflecting on his barefoot journey, Marcel cites the 2022 World Masters in Texas as his favourite barefoot-related memory. A goal for his future is to improve his Trick passes. At the World Championships, Marcel is excited to share the experience with like-minded athletes from around the globe.
In addition to his love for barefooting, Marcel is deeply committed to fitness. As he prepares for the World Championships, his focus remains on pushing his limits and achieving new personal bests in both Slalom and Trick.
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
SUDBURY’S ALEXANDER MIDENA TO REPRESENT CANADA AT THE 2024 bAREFOOT WORLDS
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is thrilled to announce that Alexander Midena, from Sudbury, Ontario, will be competing at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships in Auburndale, Florida. Taking place from October 5-12, 2024, this event will see Alexander take to the water as part of the Junior Canadian Team, competing in both the Slalom and Trick events.
Alexander, who has been barefoot water skiing for four years, has personal bests of 5.2 points in Slalom and 800 points in Trick. His participation in last year’s World Championships in Australia fueled his desire to continue pushing his limits, and his goal for the future is to surpass his personal bests.
Reflecting on his barefoot journey, Alexander fondly recalls getting started at Waterski North, where his mother signed him and his brother up for a week of summer camp. After just one week, Alexander was hooked and spent the rest of the summer honing his skills. His love for barefooting grew, inspired by the lessons he received from Joey Cecutti and Joey’s brother.
One of Alexander’s favourite barefoot memories is from those early days of learning from Joey and his brother. Alexander is now excited to reunite with some of the athletes he met in Australia in February 2023 while also meeting new competitors on the global stage. Alexander is eager to return to the water at the World Championships and continue his pursuit of excellence.
Beyond his passion for barefoot water skiing, Alexander is also an enthusiast for all things automotive. Looking back on his journey, he often wishes he had started watersports earlier, but his dedication and love for the sport are clear as he continues to chase new achievements.
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
TAYLOR NULLMEYER SET TO COMPETE AT THE 2024 IWWF WORLD BAREFOOT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Photo Credit: GPS Action Images
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is proud to announce that Taylor Nullmeyer, from Toronto and now residing in Muskoka, Ontario, will be competing at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships. The event takes place in Auburndale, Florida, from October 5-12, 2024.
Taylor, a member of the Open Canadian Barefoot Water Ski Team, will compete in all three barefoot disciplines: Slalom, Trick, and Jump. In just five years of competing, Taylor has achieved impressive personal bests, including 12.7 points in slalom, 3050 points in trick, and a jump distance of 12.6 meters.
A seasoned athlete, Taylor’s barefooting journey began when he jumped off the boom of his late father’s MasterCraft Barefoot 200. His passion for the sport grew, and today he is the reigning Canadian Men’s 23-30 champion and a member of the Canadian Show Ski Team.
His goals for the future are to progress to inverted jumping, toe-turns and line step turns. Taylor is also excited about the opportunity to connect with barefooters from around the globe at the World Championships. He describes barefoot water skiing as “the best feeling in the world.”
In addition to his dedication to barefooting, Taylor is a freestyle ski coach in the winter, demonstrating his passion for pushing his limits year-round in both water and snow sports.
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
SIMON SICKINGER SET TO COMPETE AT THE 2024 BAREFOOT WORLDS
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is excited to announce that Simon Sickinger, a dedicated barefoot water skier from Muskoka, Ontario, will be competing at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships. The event will take place from October 5-12, 2024, in Auburndale, Florida.
Simon will proudly represent Canada on the U23 Canadian Team, competing in the Trick and Slalom events. Having competed in barefoot water skiing for four years, Simon continues to push his limits and achieve personal bests, including 6.5 points in Slalom and 1030 points in Trick.
No stranger to international competition, Simon previously competed at the World Barefoot Water Ski Championships in Australia. Reflecting on the experience, Simon’s favourite barefoot-related memory is traveling to Australia with his family.
Simon’s journey into barefooting began at the age of eight, thanks to his father, who introduced him to the sport. Now a seasoned competitor, Simon’s goal for the future is to master turns, further enhancing his skills on the water.
An interesting fact about Simon is that he currently attends school in British Columbia, balancing his academic pursuits with his commitment to barefoot water skiing. As he prepares for the World Championships, Simon is looking forward to reconnecting with friends and competitors from around the world and soaking in the Florida atmosphere.
Event Details:
Event: 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships
Location: Auburndale, Florida
Dates: October 5-12, 2024
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
MISSISSAUGA’S DUANE GODFREY READY TO REPRESENT CANADA AT BAREFOOT WORLDS
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada is proud to announce that Duane Godfrey from Mississauga, Ontario, will be competing at the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships in Auburndale, Florida. A seasoned athlete with 25 years of experience, Duane is set to compete in the Open category as part of the Canadian Team, focusing on the Slalom and Trick events.
Duane’s barefoot water skiing journey began in 1998, when Roy Chidgey, who later became one of his closest friends, taught him his first back deep start. Since then, Duane has continuously pushed the boundaries of the sport, achieving personal bests of 15.2 points in Slalom, 5700 points in Trick score of 5700 points, and 10.2 meters in Jump.
A notable highlight of Duane’s career came in 2012, when he contributed to Team Canada’s bronze medal win at the World Championships. Among his favorite memories in the sport is the time he performed TBTF with Jim Forster and Ben Groen.
Duane is really excited to meet up with international friends, skiers, and officials at this year’s World Championships. The barefoot community means a lot to him and being able to connect with them while competing is one of the best parts of the experience.
Aside from his love for the sport, Duane is also passionate about music and enjoys hiking when he’s not on the water. His goals moving forward are simple: keep going and continue doing what he loves.
The 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships taking place from October 5-12, 2024, promises to be an exciting event. For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
BAREFOOT CANADA NATIONAL TEAM HEADED TO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada (WSWC) proudly unveils the roster for the 2024 Barefoot Canada National Team, set to compete at the upcoming 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships in Auburndale, Florida. The Championships will take place from October 5-12, 2024, showcasing top-tier talent from around the globe.
Open Team:
Brem Allen, ON
Marcel Brunet, ON
Gordie Croteau, ON
Duane Godfrey, ON
Becky Meyer, ON
Christina Nadalin, ON
Taylor Nullmeyer, ON
U23 Team:
Nolan Goddard, ON
Mathis Lariviere, QC
Simon Sickinger, ON
Junior Team:
Tristan Lariviere, QC
Alex Midena, ON
Alex Sickinger, ON
These 13 athletes have been selected to represent Canada, showcasing their skill and dedication on the world stage. Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada congratulates each team member and wishes them the best of luck in their pursuit of excellence at the Championships.
“We are thrilled to announce the 2024 Barefoot Canada National Team and look forward to seeing our athletes compete on the international stage,” said WSWC Spokesperson. “Their commitment and passion for the sport exemplify the spirit of Canadian barefooting.”
For more information about the 2024 IWWF Open, U23, and Junior World Barefoot Water Ski Championships, please visit https://2024barefootworlds.com/.
TEAM CANADA IN PARIS FOR THE 2024 IWWF CABLE WAKEBOARD & WAKESKATE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2024 IWWF Cable Wakeboard & Wakeskate World Championships have arrived, and Team Canada is set to compete on the world stage! Day 1 of competition kicks off this Tuesday, September 17th, in Paris, and we can’t wait to watch our athletes in action.
Meet Team Canada:
- Kelsey Chiappa – Open Women Wakeboard
- Riley Dillon – Open Men Wakeboard
- Connor Gilbert – Junior Men Wakeboard
- Mickey Henry – Open Men Wakeskate
- Jordan Sullivan – Open Men Wakeskate
- Dary Znebel – Open Men Wakeboard
Catch all the excitement live on the IWWF YouTube channel.
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Let’s cheer on Team Canada as they represent Canada on the international stage!