Red Deer’s Brad Balon earns double individual bronze at World Over-35 Waterski Championships

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In an interview with rdnewsNOW, Balon shared he started waterskiing at the ripe old age of five.

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“And this was my first time representing Team Canada; they waited until just four days before the tournament to announce who was going. That’s definitely the highlight of my waterski career. It was an absolute honour to ski for Canada,” he said.

“Competing at the international level with tons of talented skiers, it was an amazing feeling.”

Balon has competed across Canada at various westerns and nationals, among others. There’s plenty of training that goes into it, with Balon saying he’s out on the water four or five times a week.

That’s usually on Schacres Lake near Lacombe, or at the Spruce View Waterski Club.

“I’m still smiling ear-to-ear, because I was not expected to go there and have any medal success, to be honest. To go into that tournament and ski the way I did, I’m incredibly proud of myself,” Balon added.

Red Deer’s Brad Balon at the 2026 IWWF World Over-35 Waterski Championships in Calgary. (Image Credit: Johnny Hayward)

“It’s a lot of pressure, and you’ve got teammates who are counting on you, so to do it at that level was just amazing.”

Balon doesn’t get to stay on Team Canada automatically — if he wishes to continue on and compete at Pan American or other world championship events, for example, he’ll have to requalify for the national team.

And he says he’s going to try.

“Right now, I’m pretty exhausted and beat up,” he quipped.

“But I saw a teammate of mine put a post on social media last night saying that he’s already booking his plane ticket to the next one. And I think I’ll probably be there right beside him.”

In total, Canadian athletes earned three gold, six silver, and seven bronze at the Calgary event.

Meanwhile, Red Deer’s Carolyn Cheetham, who was a host committee selection, also competed in the 55+ Women’s division, but did not medal.

Edmonton’s Tiffany Edgecombe, who trains out of Lacombe, earned bronze in the 45+ Women’s Slalom.

 

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