INNISFAIL – As Llewellyn family members were inducted into the Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada’s Hall of Fame at a special Edmonton reception on Aug. 6, members of the Town of Innisfail's council were there to applaud.
The Llewellyn family are not only heroes for the sport but also cherished community builders.
“Don and Chris’ vision that they had and the hard work and determination to take Innisfail’s Dodd’s Lake, which was probably barely a lake in those days, and transform it into something where their family and others could water ski,” said mayor Jean Barclay.
“And out of that vision and hard work came two world champions.”
Barclay was joined at the Hall of Fame induction at Edmonton’s Shalom Park with councillors Cindy Messaros, Janice Wing and Todd Becker, the town’s chief administrative officer.
“I was honoured to be there. We were all honoured, and was asked to say a few words,” said Barclay.
World champion water skier Jaret Llewellyn, his mother Christine (Chris) and his late father Don were honoured for their lifetime achievements following the completion of the day’s competition at the 2025 Canadian Water Ski Championships.
Friends and other family members were also in attendance to show their admiration and respect for what these newly minted Hall of Famers did for the sport and for their Central Alberta community.
Messaros and her family members were friends with the Llewellyns, and as a child she went water skiing with Jaret at the time.
A half century later Messaros is proud of what the Llewellyns accomplished for themselves and for the community.
“I was so happy to be there. I was so proud of them. They couldn't be better representatives for Innisfail and for their sport. I just can't say enough about that family,” said Messaros.
Since 1979, Don and Chris have been integral to the growth and development of water skiing in Alberta and beyond,” said a Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada media release. “Their journey began when Don discovered a neglected slough (now Dodd’s Lake) on the north end of Innisfail and transformed it into the foundation for what would become a world-class water skiing facility.”
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 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 said.
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 said.
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.
