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Brisbane 2032 Games Vision

IWWF Urges Water Ski Community to Weigh In on Brisbane 2032 Olympic Vision

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IWWF urges water ski community to weigh in on Brisbane 2032 Olympic vision

Brisbane 2032 Games Vision

Shaping the Future: Brisbane 2032

By Jack Burden

The International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) is calling on athletes, fans, and anyone with a stake in the sport to speak up, as the Brisbane 2032 Olympic organizers open the door—just slightly—for public input on the Games’ direction.

A short survey, open to the public until June 20, invites people from around the world to help shape the vision for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It’s a rare chance for the waterskiing community to register on the radar of Olympic decision-makers—and maybe, just maybe, push the sport one step closer to the five rings.

This campaign comes at a curious and potentially pivotal moment. For the first time in years, the Olympic conversation doesn’t feel like a one-way street. According to insiders, it was the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee—not the waterski federations—that initiated talks about possible inclusion. That’s a reversal big enough to raise eyebrows across a sport long relegated to the Olympic sidelines.

Cindy Hook, the CEO of Brisbane 2032, may be part of the reason. She has a background in skiing—not just the kind with lift tickets and après, but the kind pulled behind a boat. How much that personal link matters is anyone’s guess, but in Olympic politics, connections have always mattered more than most people would like to admit.

USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Executive Director Kevin Michael recently confirmed that the organization has launched a new Olympic campaign, anchored by meetings with Brisbane officials. “We’re making the right pitch to the right people at the right time,” he said in The Water Skier magazine. “No promises yet, but this journey will absolutely pay dividends for the sport.”

Whether those dividends come in the form of Olympic inclusion—or simply more visibility and legitimacy—remains to be seen. The waterski world is split. Some see this as a tired, expensive dream that has sapped energy from more realistic efforts to grow the sport. Others view it as a necessary gamble, a long shot worth taking if only to show future generations that the sport hasn’t stopped dreaming.

Behind the scenes, there’s cautious optimism. Rumors are circulating of quiet support within the International Olympic Committee, and even whispers of water skiing being considered for exhibition status at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. But for now, it’s all speculation and strategy meetings.

What isn’t speculation is this: there’s a survey open, and the people running Brisbane 2032 say they want to hear from the public. So, if you’ve ever had an opinion about where the sport should be—or where it could go—now’s the time to speak up.

Take the Brisbane 2032 survey here. Deadline: June 20.

Poland Renews Calls for Trick Score Revision

Poland Renews Push for Trick Scoring Overhaul

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Poland renews push for trick scoring overhaul

Poland Renews Calls for Trick Score Revision

Image: @mcboatcompany

By Jack Burden

Speaking at an IWWF World Waterski Council meeting earlier this year, world record holder Joel Poland called for a long-overdue overhaul of trick skiing’s point system. Citing current scoring as a barrier to innovation, Poland argued that high-difficulty tricks—like his own recently approved “Matrix” and “UFO”—aren’t making it into tournament runs because the reward doesn’t match the risk.

“The point values for high-difficulty flips are crippling trick skiing,” said Poland. One of the sport’s most creative and technically gifted athletes, he has been increasingly vocal about the need for reform. He points to discrepancies such as the “Matrix”—a frontflip with a ski-line 540—earning just 150 points more than a basic frontflip.

The Tricks Working Group, formed nearly two years ago to address point disparities, has yet to deliver a proposal. That responsibility now falls to Sergio Font, who will lead the review and deliver recommendations at the September Water Ski Council meeting.

While there is broad agreement that the current system needs revision, progress has been slow—largely due to competing interests among athletes. Council Chair Candido Moz has voiced support for reform, but the IWWF has so far deferred to the skier community, whose inability to reach consensus has stalled change.

With elite runs becoming increasingly repetitive, Poland’s push adds renewed urgency to a debate many in the sport feel is long overdue.

IWWF Nears Tow Boat Decision

Decision Looms on IWWF Tow Boat Contract

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Decision looms on IWWF tow boat contract

IWWF Nears Tow Boat Decision

The decision may set the course of the sport well into the 2030s.

By Jack Burden

A major shift in the watersports world is quietly approaching shore, as the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) prepares to select its next official tow boat partner for the federation’s marquee events. Though the decision is due today, it remains unclear when the IWWF will make its choice public.

The current agreement—held by Nautique since 2016—comes to an end in December. The new contract offers a six-year term, with an option to renew for another six, and covers exclusive towing rights for all IWWF World Titled Events in Waterski, Wakesports (including Wakeboard and Wakesurf), or both. With bidding closed as of February 28 and intents of interest submitted by the end of January, the field has narrowed—and the implications are wide-reaching.

The current agreement—held by Nautique since 2016—comes to an end in December. The new contract offers a six-year term, with an option to renew for another six, and grants exclusive towing rights for all IWWF World Titled Events in Waterski, Wakesports (including Wakeboard and Wakesurf), or both. According to a report from IWWF President, José Antonio Pérez Priego, leading manufacturers were invited to submit an intent of interest by January 31, with full bids due by February 28. The IWWF Executive Board is scheduled to finalize its decision by March 15.

At the heart of the process lies a high-stakes intersection of performance, politics, and business. The winning manufacturer won’t just supply boats—they’ll also provide technical and logistical support, assist with marketing efforts, and, crucially, make a financial contribution, which remains one of the IWWF’s most significant sources of revenue.

The trio of top-tier manufacturers—Nautique, MasterCraft, and Malibu—are familiar contenders. MasterCraft served as IWWF’s partner from 2009 to 2015, before the contract passed to Nautique in a high-profile 10-year deal. Since then, Nautique boats have towed everything from Junior Worlds to the Over-35s and World Disabled Championships, becoming synonymous with the sport at the highest level.

But the landscape has shifted. Malibu, while maintaining a strong presence in the wakeboard and wakesurf scene, has visibly reduced its footprint in tournament waterskiing—no longer sponsoring athletes and appearing to take a step back from that segment of the market. Their future with the IWWF may hinge on a bid that leans toward Wakesports rather than a comprehensive package.

This raises a deeper question reverberating within industry circles: has the IWWF’s long-term approach to contracts helped or hindered the sport’s evolution?

The previous decade-long deal provided stability and vital funding, but it may have unintentionally contributed to a sense of inertia. When a single manufacturer dominates the top competitive stage for so long, it can disincentivize innovation, investment, or even participation from competitors. In a sport that already operates within a niche market, extended exclusivity may limit broader industry engagement and investment.

Still, the upside of the contract is significant. The chosen boat becomes the one that athletes train behind year-round. It shapes how they prepare and compete. It becomes not just a partner, but the platform for future world champions.

Today, the IWWF Executive Board is expected to finalize its decision. When that announcement will be made public, however, remains unknown. What is certain, however, is that the boat chosen to tow the world’s top athletes will be pulling more than just competitors—it will be pulling the sport’s future.

2025 IWWF University Worlds

Team Austria Wins & Aaliyah Makes History at University Worlds | IWWF

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Team Austria Wins & Aaliyah Makes History at 2025 IWWF University Worlds

2025 IWWF University Worlds

Image: IWWF

IWWF

The 2025 IWWF University World Championships held at the scenic Orakei Basin in Auckland, New Zealand, is a wrap and marked a historic first as the nation’s debut in hosting its first IWWF World-titled water ski event and the first IWWF University Worlds in nine years. 

The competition saw athletes from around the globe deliver world-class performances in slalom, tricks, and jump disciplines.

Malaysia’s Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah emerged as the event’s biggest star, sweeping gold in tricks, jump, and overall. Her victories were historic, as she became the first-ever Asian (and Malaysian) athlete to win an IWWF World-Titled gold medal, and in this instance 3 of them.

In women’s slalom, Luisa Jaramillo (Colombia) secured gold, with score of 4 buoys on the 11.25 metre line, followed by Ali Garcia (USA) with silver and Daniela Kretschner (Chile) with bronze.

The men’s slalom podium was an all-Latin American affair, led by Federico Jaramillo (Colombia), Luisa’s twin brother. The Jaramillo twins have by both won gold medals in slalom at the 2020 IWWF U17 World Championships. Argentina’s Tobias Giorgis took the men’s slalom silver medal, while Mexico’s Jaime Palomino won the bronze.

In the women’s tricks competition, Malaysia’s Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah won the gold medal, with former IWWF World Under 17 World Tricks Champion, Hannah Stopnicki (Canada) winning the silver and Layne Moroney (Australia) took bronze.

In men’s tricks, the current IWWF World Open Men’s Tricks Champion and multiple world record holder Patricio Font (Mexico) added an IWWF University gold medal to his collection, followed by Julian Macias Sedano (USA) with the silver medal and Dominic Kuhn (Austria) with bronze.

The women’s jump podium saw Lili Steiner (Austria) claim silver, with a 42.8 metre jump, while New Zealand’s Lily Meade secured bronze at 42.1 metres (giving the host nation a proud podium moment. In the men’s jump, Luca Rauchenwald (Austria) won his first IWWF World Gold Medal with a 63.3 metre jump, ahead of former Under 21 World Jump Champions, Pol Duphlan-Fribourg (France) and Tobias Giorgis (Argentina) taking silver and bronze respectfully.

The men’s overall competition saw France’s Pol Duphlan Fribourg taking home gold, Argentina’s 2023 Pan American Games Slalom and Jump Champion Tobias Giorgis the silver medal, and Blaze Grubbs (USA) securing a bronze medal.

Austria’s strong performances across all disciplines helped them secure the overall team championship title. Defending team overall champions USA finished second, with Australia taking third.

The event also marked a turning point for the IWWF University Worlds, as discussions are underway for a future multi-discipline format featuring up to seven disciplines. Reflecting on the success of the championships, organizers highlighted the strong performances, new nations on the podium, and the significance of athletes competing in unfamiliar conditions, with many skiing on salt water for the first time.

”Walking back to my hotel from the Banquet and Awards Ceremony, I couldn’t help but marvel at what we achieved here at the 2025 IWWF University Worlds, the first University Championships since 2016, held in New Zealand’s stunning Orakei Basin.

This event was made possible by the dedication of the Auckland Ski Club, officials led by Chief Judge Bob Harris (USA), and, most importantly, our incredible university skiers. Their performances, despite many competing on salt water for the first time, were inspiring, with new nations reaching the podium—a testament to the growth of our sport. 

Watching these young athletes hold their flags as their national anthems played was deeply moving. As we look to the future, this may be the last single-discipline IWWF University Worlds, with an exciting new multi-discipline format on the horizon.

Thank you, Auckland, for creating these lifetime memories.”, reflected  Phil Chase, IWWF University Commission Chair.

The 2025 IWWF University World Championships was towed by the World Record-Setting Ski Nautique.

For more information, results, and event highlights, visit the event web site.

 

The Orakei Basin in Auckland

Water Ski’s Next Generation Takes Center Stage at 2025 University Worlds

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Water ski’s next generation takes center stage at 2025 IWWF World University Championships

Auckland Water Ski Club

Aerial view of Orakei basin, near Auckland, New Zealand (image: Bruce W. Hayward)

By Jack Burden

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The 2025 waterski season launches with a bang next week as the IWWF World University Waterski Championships kick off in Auckland. The event, marking the first major competition of the year, is set to establish the early pecking order in what promises to be a high-octane season.

A total of 79 athletes from 19 nations will take to the water, featuring a mix of former junior world champions, rising stars, and burgeoning professionals eager to make their mark. While the World Championships brand may be expanding faster than a ski boat’s sticker price, there’s no questioning the sheer talent on display.

Slalom Showdowns

On the women’s side, Alexandra Garcia (USA) leads a fiercely competitive Slalom field, with Luisa Jaramillo (Colombia) and Daniela Kretschmer (Chile) set to challenge for the top spot. The men’s event features Nikolaus Attensam (Austria), Jaime Palomino Blanch (Mexico), and Federico Jaramillo (Colombia), each capable of throwing down massive scores under pressure.

Tricks to Watch

In the Tricks event, Malaysia’s Aaliyah Yoong Hannifah—already a familiar name in elite waterski circles—will look to fend off Canada’s Hannah Stopnicki in the women’s category. Meanwhile, the Mexican duo of Pablo Font and Patricio Font, alongside Erick Macias (USA), will be the favorites to beat in the men’s division.

Jumping to Great Heights

The Jump event could deliver some of the most electrifying moments of the week. Nellie Allard (Canada), Aaliyah Yoong Hannifah (Malaysia), and Lili Steiner (Austria) lead the women’s field, while the men’s side features France’s Pol Duplan-Fribourg, Argentina’s Tobias Giorgis, and Austria’s Luca Rauchenwald—all capable of clearing eye-watering distances.

Overall Contenders

When it comes to the all-around battle, expect Australia’s Lara Butlin, Malaysia’s Aaliyah Yoong Hannifah, and Austria’s Lili Steiner to contend for the women’s crown. In the men’s category, Pol Duplan-Fribourg (France) and Tobias Giorgis (Argentina) are the names to watch.

The Bigger Picture

This event marks the first University World Championships under the IWWF banner, with previous editions falling under FISU jurisdiction. Talks are already underway for an expanded 2026 edition, potentially adding wakeboard boat, cable wakeboard, and wakesurfing into the mix.

“IWWF is currently in discussions with a city in the USA to host the 2026 IWWF University Worlds with wakeboard boat, cable wakeboard, and wakesurfing being the proposed disciplines,” said IWWF President Jose Antonio Perez Priego.

With an already crowded calendar of IWWF title events, some critics wonder if the ever-expanding slate of competitions could dilute the prestige of the traditional World Championships. But for now, the focus is on New Zealand, where the future of waterskiing is set to take center stage.

And if the past is any guide, the next global star might just emerge from these very waters.

IWWF International Hall of Fame

Two Titans of Water Skiing Immortalized in IWWF Hall of Fame

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Two titans of water skiing immortalized in IWWF Hall of Fame

IWWF International Hall of Fame

Nine athletes, officials, and pioneers were honored in the 2025 IWWF Hall of Fame.

By Jack Burden

Legend is a term often overused in sports, diluted until it loses its impact. Defined as someone who leaves an unforgettable impression, the 2025 IWWF Hall of Fame inductees restore its true meaning. Among them, two titans of waterskiing stand out: Jaret Llewellyn and Camille Duvall. To speak of these icons is to speak of transcendent greatness, boundary-breaking dominance, and the magnetism that defines sporting legends.

Let’s start with Jaret Llewellyn, a man whose career statistics read like they belong to an entire team, not just one individual. With a reported 117 professional victories, 11 world records, and 9 World Championship titles, Llewellyn is a colossus of Canadian waterskiing, a beacon of brilliance in a sport that often favors youth over longevity. From the frozen plains of Alberta to the humid swamps of South Florida, Llewellyn’s impact has been felt worldwide. By 14, he was representing Canada. By 18, he turned professional, carving his name into history one victory at a time.

Llewellyn’s versatility is unparalleled. A Junior World Champion in tricks, a world-record breaker in jump, and a five-time U.S. Masters overall champion, he dominated multiple disciplines even as they evolved. He thrived during the heyday of Ski Fly and continued winning well into his 40s. His story isn’t just about victories; it’s about adapting, surviving, and triumphing amid fierce competition. Patrice Martin, Jimmy Siemers, Adam Sedlmajer—these weren’t mere rivals; they were legendary opponents. Yet Llewellyn consistently emerged as the standard of excellence.

His 16 World Championships medals—the most by any man—tell a tale of persistence. From his breakout performance as a 21-year-old in 1991, sharing a podium with his brother Kreg, to his bittersweet swan song in 2015, Llewellyn’s career has been defined by longevity and dominance. His influence doesn’t stop at medals and records; through the WWS Overall Tour, he has spearheaded a resurgence in the overall discipline, ensuring his legacy endures for future generations. His Hall of Fame induction is more than an accolade—it’s a crowning achievement for a career that reshaped waterskiing.

On the other side of the lake stands Camille Duvall, whose waterskiing legacy is as luminous as the golden era she dominated. Upon her retirement, USA Today called her “the best-known female water skier in history,” and Sports Illustrated named her among the “100 Greatest Female Athletes of the Century.” If Llewellyn’s career was a marathon of excellence, Duvall’s was a meteoric ascent that redefined the possibilities for women in waterskiing—and beyond.

Her dominance was forged in the fiery crucible of the 1980s professional circuit, where she didn’t just compete—she reigned. The Coors Light Water Ski Tour wasn’t merely a competitive stage; it was Camille’s playground. She claimed the season championship every year from 1984 to 1988, an unparalleled streak. Beyond her wins, Duvall’s charisma and marketability turned women’s waterskiing into a marquee attraction, transforming the sport’s perception on a global scale.

Her accolades came thick and fast: the 1985 World Slalom title, five U.S. Masters victories, 43 pro tournament wins, and becoming the first female water skier to earn six figures in a single year. Injuries may have cut her competitive career short at 33, but Duvall’s influence only grew. She transitioned seamlessly into roles as a coach, television producer, and advocate for women in sports. Her legacy stretches far beyond the water’s edge, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and female athletes worldwide.

What unites Duvall and Llewellyn is their defiance of limits. They shattered ceilings, reshaped perceptions, and transformed their respective eras. While Llewellyn endured and mastered the sport’s evolving dynamics, Duvall flourished in a spotlight she helped create. Their inductions into the Hall of Fame are not just personal milestones but milestones for waterskiing itself—a testament to the sport’s capacity to produce athletes who transcend its shores.

The 2025 IWWF Hall of Fame class isn’t just a celebration of past glories. It’s a reminder of what waterskiing—and those who dedicate their lives to it—can achieve. Jaret Llewellyn and Camille Duvall, welcome to immortality.

See the full 2025 IWWF Hall of Fame class here.

IWWF Waterskiers of the year 2024

Straltsova, Poland Named Skiers of the Year | IWWF

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Hanna Straltsova and Joel Poland named IWWF Waterskiers of the Year

IWWF Waterskiers of the year 2024

Joel Poland and Hanna Straltsova were named the IWWF male & female waterskiers of 2024.

IWWF

The IWWF is pleased to announce the 2024 IWWF Male & Female Skiers & Riders of the Year, selected by their respective sports disciplines’ councils.

Hanna Straltsova Camaro Watersport
Hanna Straltsova jumps at IWWF World Championships

Images: Camaro/Johnny Hayward

2024 IWWF Female Water Skier of the Year: Hanna Straltsova

Jump is her best event, but she is also an excellent Overall skier and has been very consistent throughout the season. In 2024 she has won every Jump event she has entered.

World Ranking Details:

  • Slalom: 17th Place
  • Tricks: 7th Place
  • Jump: 1st Place
  • Overall: 1st Place
  • Waterski Pro Tour Leaderboard Jump: 1st Place
Joel Poland is Overall World Champion & Team Win Silver! - British Water Ski and WakeboardJoel Poland is Overall World Champion & Team Win Silver! - British Water Ski and Wakeboard Joel Poland is Overall World Champion & Team Win Silver!
Joel Poland Sets Pending Overall World Record - British Water Ski and WakeboardJoel Poland Sets Pending Overall World Record - British Water Ski and Wakeboard Joel Poland Sets Pending Overall World Record

Images: BWSW/Johnny Hayward

2023 IWWF Male Water Skier of the Year: Joel Poland (Great Britain)

World and European Overall Record Holder: Record set three times during the 2024 season.

World Ranking Details:

  • Slalom: 12th Place
  • Tricks: 6th Place
  • Jump: 2nd Place
  • Overall: 1st Place

Waterski Pro Tour Leaderboard:

  • Slalom: 13th Place
  • Tricks: 6th Place
  • Jump: 1st Place

Europe Ranking Details:

  • Slalom: 5th Place
  • Tricks: 2nd Place
  • Jump: 1st Place
  • Overall: 1st Place

2024 IWWF Skiers & Riders of the Year

DisciplineFemaleMale
BarefootAshleigh Groen – AustraliaBen Groen – New Zealand
Disabled SkiElisha Nelson – USACraig Timm – USA
Cable SkiAlina Bühl – AustriaErwin Zawadzki – Poland
Cable WakeboardJulia Rick – GermanyMax Milde – Germany
RacingNo NominationNo Nomination
Show SkiGrace Petzold – USACharlie Newlands – Canada
Wakeboard BoatEugenia De Armas – ArgentinaNic Rapa – Australia
WakesurfDawnee Kanjanapas – Hong KongJett Lambert – USA
WaterskiHanna StraltsovaJoel Poland – Great Britain

Please click here to learn more about them. Congratulations!

From this list of outstanding skiers & riders, the 2024 IWWF Male & Female Athletes of the Year, selected by the IWWF Executive Board, will be announced in a week’s time.

 

The world’s best skiers descend on Recetto, Italy, for the IWWF World Water Ski Championships—battling for the sport’s most prestigious title.

World Championships

August 27 – August 31

The world’s best skiers descend on Recetto, Italy, for the IWWF World Water Ski Championships—battling for the sport’s most prestigious title.

The world’s best skiers descend on Recetto, Italy, for the IWWF World Water Ski Championships—battling for the sport’s most prestigious title.

Events: Slalom, Trick, Jump, Overall, & Teams

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Under-21 World Championships

July 30 – August 2

The best junior skiers in the world head to Predator Bay for the IWWF U21 World Water Ski Championships, showcasing the rising stars in our sport.

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Events: Slalom, Trick, Jump, Overall, & Teams

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European Championships

August 7 – August 10

The 77th IWWF European Championships, the longest-running international water ski tournament, is scheduled to take place in Austria from August 7th to 10th.

Events: Slalom, Trick, Jump, Overall, & Teams

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