Central Albertans make a splash at World Waterski Championships

He also delivered a great performance in overall to secure the world title with positive results across all three disciplines. This included 4.5/10.75m/39 off in Slalom, scored 11,410 points to make the trick final where he finished sixth, and jumped 69.9 metres/229 feet to earn the bronze medal in men’s jump.

Llewellyn became the men’s overall world champion, a title earned through consistency across all three events and capped by his bronze-medal performance in men’s jump.

He said winning the world title has been a childhood dream.

“It’s something my father [Jaret Llewellyn] did at the exact same lake I just won at 24 years ago. To be able to do that, was extremely special,” he said.

“Winning overall isn’t just a one day thing, it’s something that continues throughout the entire tournament, which makes it that much more difficult and taxing both mentally and physically. There was a lot of relief when it was done but mainly just joy and having that moment with my dad was incredible.”

Llewellyn has competed in six World Waterski Championships with his father and mother by his side as coaches. The first he took part in was in Calgary at just 13-years-old where he competed against his dad and mom. They became the first-ever family in the sport to go up against one another.

He described the last year of competition as a struggle while he worked his way back from an ankle injury. However, over the last few months he feels like he’s starting to gain his stride again.

“To win a huge event and finish third in jump, things are trending in the right direction. I hope in the next six months to a year, I’ll get back to winning a lot of tournaments,” he added.

The Innisfail native now lives most of the time south of the border in Lake Worth, Florida but he still considers central Alberta home.

“Home is where my family is and my grandma still lives in the same house my dad grew up in in Innisfail. All of the memories I have there, it’s definitely a special place. I’m definitely lucky I have so many places to call home.”

NOVARA, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Ryan Dodd of Canada jumps during the finals of the 2025 IWWF World Waterski Championships at Parco Nautico del Sesia on August 31, 2025 in Novara, Italy. (Photo by Johnny Hayward/Getty Images)

Ryan, the current world record holder and a five-time world champion, continued to showcase his ability as one of the sport’s greatest athletes.

He tied for the top seed in the preliminary round with a jump of 70.5m/231ft, securing his place in the finals. In the finals, he followed with a jump of 70.1m/230ft to claim the silver medal.

Dodd had high expectations for himself as he came in first the last five years in that jump. He was thankful he got another shot to compete at worlds but was disappointed he came up a little short of another gold.

“Results wise, it was a little tough to accept but in the grand scheme of things, I’m pretty happy,” he said. “This was my 24th year representing Canada on the national team.”

Dodd and Llewellyn were also both on Team Canada who placed second in the team overall.

Dodd now lives in Palm Bay, Florida but grew up in central Alberta until he left when he was 18-years-old. His career all started on Sylvan Lake.

“I’m from a farm east of Olds… My roots are strong and I’m very thankful from where I came from. It taught me a lot and every time I go home I get a good reminder,” he said.

“I do waterski jump and it’s one of the craziest things in the world. I’m flying off a ramp at 70 miles per hour going 230 to 250 feet. It’s like combining riding a roller coaster to flying a an airplane so anyone of those alone is pretty exciting let alone the combination… There’s nothing like it.”

by rdnewsNOW staff

Central Albertans make a splash at World Waterski Championships

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