East Kootenay athletes make waves at Wakesurfing Nationals at Lake Koocanusa

Athletes from across the region have made a splash at this year’s Canadian Wakesurf & Foiling Nationals at Lake Koocanusa.

“We were excited to welcome over 70 riders from as far west as Vancouver Island and as far east as Ontario competing over two days,” said one of the event organizers, Loree Duczek. 

“New this year was the addition of a foiling division, and with bigger divisions and more athletes taking part, it is so good to see this event continuing to grow.”

The list of homegrown medal-winners is as follows:

• Boston Rousselle (Cranbrook), a bronze medalist in the Junior Boys Division.
• Siblings Edward and Amaya Anderson (Golden) finished gold and silver in their respective Amateur Divisions.
• Olivia Sombrowski (Fernie) took home bronze in Female Outlaw Skim. 
• Caroline Villeneuve (Fernie) finished off with a bronze medal in the Pro Women’s Skim Division.
• Brothers Dagen and Ryder Duczek (Cranbrook) took gold and silver in the Pro Men’s Canadian Championship, respectively, marking Dagen’s second consecutive annual win. Isaac Hockley (Cranbrook), a long-time mentor of the Duczek brothers, finished bronze.

“One of the special things about this event is the way it brings families and the surf community together. […] From siblings in the same division, to siblings in different divisions and entire families competing, it speaks to the family nature of this sport,” added Duczek.

Visitors were also invited to enjoy a performance from Lord Knows Band, giveaways, demo rides and more. 

The Canadian Wakesurf and Foiling Nationals, presented by SWS Marine Group, capped off the 2025 national competitive season at Koocanusa Village on September 6 and 7.