Ryan Cresswell will represent Canada this week at the 2026 IWWF World U17 Waterski Championships in Córdoba, Argentina, according to Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada.
Cresswell will compete in the Slalom event and contribute to Canada’s Team Overall standings.
The championships will take place April 1-5, at Lago Ahumada Nautical Stadium, bringing together more than 110 athletes from over 18 countries. Following familiarization on March 30-31, competition will get underway on April 1, featuring slalom, trick, and jump events.
Cresswell is one of six athletes selected to compete for Canada in the Team Overall event, where combined performances across all three disciplines determine the overall team standings, said the statement.
At 16 years old, Cresswell brings over eight years of competitive experience into his first World Championships. A member of the Ontario Waterski Team and a former Provincial and Eastern Champion, he continues to progress in slalom, with a personal best of 2 buoys at 12m (35 off).
Started At Just 2-Years Old
Cresswell’s introduction to water skiing came early. Growing up at his family’s summer cottage on Go Home Lake, Ontario, he started skiing at just two years old under the guidance of his father. As a third-generation water skier, the sport has been a consistent part of his life, both on and off the water.
Reflecting on his time in the sport, Cresswell shared, “I’ve had too many tournaments, recreational experiences, and fun with amazing people to pick just one.”
Heading into the event, Cresswell is focused on maximizing the experience. “Put my best effort forward at both training opportunities and the competition itself. I hope to take what I gain from my experience at worlds into competing again this summer back home in Canada,” he said.
He is also looking forward to connecting with other athletes and experiencing a new environment. “At the U17 Worlds I am looking forward to meeting with people from other countries that have the same interest as me. I am also looking forward to experiencing a new country with friends I’ve grown up skiing with.”
Below is a picture of all of Team Canada’s participants.
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