INNISFAIL - Members of an Innisfail family are being inducted into Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada’s Hall of Fame Wednesday.
World champion water skier Jaret Llewellyn, his mother Christine (Chris) and his late father Don will be honoured for their lifetime achievements Aug. 6 at Shalom Park in Edmonton, following the completion of the day’s competition at the 2025 Canadian Water Ski Championships.
While the championship event will continue throughout the week, Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada officials say this special Hall of Fame induction will be a moment to honour Llewellyn’s legacy “as one of Canada’s greatest water skiers” as well as his parents’ “monumental contributions to the sport of water skiing, which have spanned more than four decades.”
Since 1979, Don and Chris have been integral to the growth and development of water skiing in Alberta and beyond, a Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada press release says.
According to the national towed water sports association, their journey began when Don discovered a neglected slough on the north end of Innisfail and transformed it into the foundation for what would become a world-class water skiing facility.
Through significant personal effort, the couple cleaned up the area, built a boat launch, and developed the Innisfail lake into a record-capable competition lake and recreation facility.
Their vision and tireless work paved the way for many tournaments, including 12 provincial championships, the 1981 Alberta Summer Games, the 1983 Western Canadian Championships, and the 1985 Canadian National Championships.
“While Don has since passed away, his legacy alongside Chris’ continues to inspire the water ski community,” Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada said in Together, they were instrumental in forming Water Ski Alberta, which later became Water Ski and Wakeboard Alberta, playing a crucial role in the sport’s growth and success. Through their unwavering dedication, they mentored and supported many athletes, leaving an enduring impact on the sport.”
Their son Jaret’s water ski career spans nearly three decades. He along with his since-deceased water ski world champion brother Kreg, learned to water ski on Innisfail’s Dodd’s Lake.
Jaret has amassed 117 Pro Tour victories, broken 11 world records, secured nine world championship titles, and earned 10 Pan Am Games medals.
His 26 medals at the Pan Am Championships, including 22 golds, and five World Cup jump championships highlight his dominance in the sport.
“Jaret’s impact goes beyond his competitive success. At the 2003 Pan Am Games in Santo Domingo, he proudly served as Canada’s opening ceremony flag bearer, further cementing his legacy as a national icon,” Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada says.
Competing at age nine and representing Canada by 14, he went on to turn pro at 18, foregoing a career in ice hockey to pursue his passion for water skiing.
“His dedication to the sport and his country has made him one of the most influential athletes in water skiing history,” Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada says.
Jaret is the co-founder of WorldWaterSkiers (WWS), a non-profit foundation aimed at uniting the sport of water skiing and since 2021, he has also spearheaded the WWS Overall Tour, further enhancing the sport’s visibility and fostering connections among athletes worldwide.
