(Image Credit: Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada/Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada

Central Alberta athletes named to Canadian National Water Ski team

Mar 23, 2026 | 6:13 PM

Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada announced the athletes selected to the 2026 Canadian National Water Ski Team, including two from central Alberta.

The list of 13 names includes Olds, native Ryan Dodd and Innisfail product Dorien Llewellyn, who earned their selection through performances at national and international competitions.

The athletes were ranked in tiers based on international rankings and competitive results. Llewellyn and Dodd were both named in Tier I, which is the highest rank.

“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.”

Dodd is a five-time world champion and current world record holder in men’s jump after he placed second at the 2025 IWWF World Waterski Championships.

April 2025 Incident

One of two sentenced in central Alberta home invasion involving firearm

1h ago

Week-long activities

RDPSD students learn all about french language and culture

21h ago

2023 Investigation

Red Deer man accused in alleged auto theft and re-vinning operation, ordered to stand trial

23h ago

Dodd also recently captured the 2026 Moomba Masters men’s jump title.

Llewellyn is the defending men’s overall world champion, and at the 2025 IWWF World Waterski Championships, he earned bronze in men’s jump.

According to a press release, these athletes will compete at major national and international competitions throughout the 2026 season, representing Canada at professional tour stops and international championships.

Read more: Central Albertans make a splash at World Waterski Championships

The full list of athletes named to the national team include:

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