Photo by Johnny Hayward
Three individuals whose commitment and leadership have shaped the trajectory of water skiing in Canada were inducted into the Water Ski & Wakeboard Canada Hall of Fame this summer during the IWWF World U21 Waterski Championships in Calgary, Alberta.
An on-site induction ceremony was held at Predator Bay Water Ski Club to honour Russ Dickson, Suzanne Velcic, and Dan Velcic for their exceptional and lasting contributions to the sport.
Russ Dickson
For more than 36 years, Russ Dickson has been a central figure in Canadian water skiing, with an impact that spans athlete development, governance, event delivery, and international representation. His journey in the sport began on the water, where he established himself as a competitor. Russ was a multiple-time Alberta jump champion, broke provincial records, and in 2007 earned the title of Canadian Overall Champion, a reflection of both his athletic versatility and commitment to excellence.
As his competitive career evolved, Russ expanded his involvement to nearly every operational and leadership role within the sport. He has served as a coach, official, boat driver, chief of competitions, homologator, and member of Water Ski & Wakeboard Canada’s high-performance development team. In each role, Russ brought a consistent focus on athlete experience, technical excellence, and long-term growth.
Russ’s leadership extended into governance, where he played a key role in shaping the sport at both the provincial and national levels. He served as President of Water Ski and Wakeboard Alberta before assuming national leadership roles, including Chairman and President of Water Ski & Wakeboard Canada, positions he has held for the past seven years. During this time, Russ has overseen significant organizational growth, supported high-performance pathways, and guided the federation through complex operational and strategic challenges.
A defining aspect of Russ’s legacy is his leadership in event development and delivery. He has been instrumental in the successful hosting of numerous national, professional, and international competitions, with a particularly strong connection to Predator Bay Water Ski Club. Russ’s vision and leadership helped bring multiple professional tournaments and three World Championships to the site, including the 2025 IWWF World U21 Waterski Championships. His ability to coordinate athletes, officials, volunteers, and international partners has positioned Canada as a trusted host on the world stage.
Russ Dickson’s contribution to the sport is not defined by a single role or achievement, but by decades of sustained service, leadership, and commitment. His induction into the Water Ski & Wakeboard Canada Hall of Fame recognizes a legacy that is deeply embedded in the history and future of water skiing in Canada.
Suzanne Velcic and Dan Velcic
Suzanne and Dan Velcic are the founders of Predator Bay Water Ski Club and have played a foundational role in its development for more than three decades. Their efforts began in the early 1990s with the installation of a floating slalom course on a public lake at Ghost Lake, Alberta, creating new competitive opportunities in the region.
In 1996, they relocated the club to its current home at the Lakes of Kastynstone. Working closely with property owners, Suzanne and Dan were instrumental in improving the skiability of the site through significant lake modifications, including widening, deepening, and the construction of turn islands. Dan applied his engineering, surveying, and AutoCAD expertise to guide site planning and development, including demonstrating the feasibility of adding a second competition lake.
Suzanne and Dan also focused on building a sustainable club model that could generate revenue for landowners while supporting continued site improvements. Their leadership enabled Predator Bay to host major competitions, including its first Western Canadian Championships in 2005 and Canadian National Championships in 2007. Dan served as Project Manager for the 2009 World Water Ski Championships, with Suzanne playing a key role on the organizing committee. From 2012 to 2014, they developed and organized the MasterCraft Pro Shootout, further establishing Predator Bay as a premier competition site.
Beyond event hosting, Suzanne and Dan have contributed extensively through leadership and volunteer service. Dan served on the Water Ski & Wakeboard Alberta Board of Directors through the early 2000s, including as President from 2011 to 2014, and has supported numerous WRL tournaments as a record-capability homologator and chief of technology. Suzanne played a key role in grassroots and competitive development, contributing to the creation of WSWC’s Rip & Ride program, serving as a Pan American slalom judge from 2018 to 2023, and holding roles as chief of competition, chief scorer, and scorer at WRL tournaments. From 2018 to 2023, Suzanne served as Executive Director of Water Ski & Wakeboard Alberta and authored a comprehensive COVID-19 policy manual that allowed Alberta clubs to operate during lockdowns.
In January 2023, Suzanne and Dan worked alongside Russ Dickson and Water Ski & Wakeboard Canada on a successful bid to host three consecutive World Championships: the 2024 U17, 2025 U21, and 2026 35+ World Championships. The organizing committee delivered a highly successful U17 World Championships in 2024 and U21 World Championships in 2025 and continues to build on that success.
Together, Suzanne and Dan remain the club’s top volunteers year after year, supporting course installation, site maintenance, facility upgrades, and technology development. Their dedication has been central to Predator Bay’s evolution into one of Canada’s leading competition sites.
