Eight local riders stood on the podium at last weekend’s 2024 Wake Canada National Wakesurf Championships.
“We had over 60 riders from across Canada from as far west as Victoria, BC and as far east as Toronto and Perth, Ontario,” said one of the event organizers, Loree Duczek.
“From personal bests and new tricks landed to the cheering of the crowd on shore, and the live entertainment as everyone gathered for dinner on the beach, it was an unforgettable weekend. It was great to see so many East Kootenay riders stepping onto the podium.”
Jack Mailloux from the Newgate/Baynes Lake area made a big splash in his first national championship and earned a silver medal in the Junior Boys Division.
Olivia Sombrowski from Fernie earned a bronze medal in Amateur 2 Female Skim while Nick Jensen of Cranbrook took home a silver medal in Advanced Male Skim Division.
Two East Kootenay riders took home a gold and silver medal in the Masters Men’s Skim / Adaptive Division.
“Cranbrook’s Mike Rouselle, who lost an arm and a leg in an industrial accident several years ago, now rides as an adaptive athlete and had the crowd cheering him on throughout each 55 second pass,” said Wakesurf Canada officials.
“Rouselle took home the silver medal while fellow East Kootenay rider Jason Williamson of Baynes Lake threw down on his runs on his way to gold.”
Veteran wakesurfer and Fernie resident Caroline Villeneuve took home silver in the Pro Women’s Skim Division.
“Bailey Rush of Ponoka took gold, while Jolene Allen of Chestermere took bronze,” said Wakesurf Canada.
“It was a proud day for Villeneuve as she also cheered on numerous athletes who have trained with her through her H2O Wakesurf School.”
In the Men’s Pro Combined Division, Dagen Duczek took on his older brother and 3x Canadian National Champ Ryder.
Dagen earned his first Pro Men’s Canadian Championship, barely beating his brother in a close battle for gold and silver.
“There were several sets of siblings and entire families riding in this year’s event, which speaks to what it’s all about: having fun, spending time together on the water, and sharing the stoke,” said Duczek.
“We are so grateful to our sponsors who made the entire day possible, to all of the participants, and to their friends, family and the members of the public who came out to cheer them all on.”
The event went again on Sept 7 and 8 at Koocanusa Village.
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyEastKootenayNow News Alerts.
