Red Deer athlete Brad Balon returned from Calgary this month with two bronze medals after competing at the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation’s 2026 World Over-35 Waterski Championships at Predator Bay.
Local training pays off on international stage
Competing in the Over-45 Men’s division, Balon claimed bronze in the jump event and then added a second bronze in the Overall standings, which combine results from slalom, trick and jump. The championships drew more than 250 athletes from roughly 20 countries.
Balon said he began waterskiing at age five and now trains four or five times a week on local waters. He credits sessions at Schacres Lake near Lacombe and the Spruce View Waterski Club for preparing him to perform at the international level.
Team Canada success and personal surprise
Balon’s results contributed to a strong showing by the 10-athlete Canadian contingent. Canada finished second in the overall team standings at the Calgary event, with the national squad securing three world titles, 16 individual medals and setting two Canadian records.
Balon said being named to Team Canada came at the last minute and that competing in a Canadian uniform was a career highlight.
“This was my first time representing Team Canada; they waited until just four days before the tournament to announce who was going. That’s definitely the highlight of my waterski career. It was an absolute honour to ski for Canada,”
He added the pressure of competing for a national team was considerable but motivating: “It’s a lot of pressure, and you’ve got teammates who are counting on you, so to do it at that level was just amazing.”
What the medals mean locally
For Red Deer and neighbouring communities, Balon’s medals underline the strength of the regional waterski scene. Athletes who train at Lacombe-area venues and clubs regularly compete at westerns and nationals, and Balon’s podium finishes offer a tangible example for younger skiers in the area.
Not all local competitors medalled: Red Deer’s Carolyn Cheetham, a host committee selection who competed in the 55+ Women’s division, did not reach the podium, while Edmonton’s Tiffany Edgecombe, who trains out of Lacombe, earned bronze in the 45+ Women’s Slalom.
Looking ahead
Balon does not automatically retain a spot on Team Canada and will have to requalify should he wish to compete at future Pan American or world championship events. He said he intends to try again despite feeling fatigued after the competition.
“Right now, I’m pretty exhausted and beat up,”
he said, later adding that seeing teammates already planning for the next event motivated him: “I saw a teammate of mine put a post on social media last night saying that he’s already booking his plane ticket to the next one. And I think I’ll probably be there right beside him.”
- Event: 2026 IWWF World Over-35 Waterski Championships, Predator Bay, Calgary
- Athlete: Brad Balon, Red Deer
- Results: Bronze — Jump; Bronze — Overall (Over-45 Men’s)
- Training bases: Schacres Lake (near Lacombe), Spruce View Waterski Club
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Jump (Over-45 Men’s) | Bronze |
| Overall (combined) | Bronze |
| Canada (team) | Second place overall; 3 world titles; 16 individual medals; 2 Canadian records |
Balon’s performance is notable for how quickly his national selection was confirmed and for the immediate impact he had for Team Canada. For the Red Deer area waterski community, his podium finishes at an international event will be welcomed as evidence that local training environments can produce world-class results.
