No. 1 in the World!
Shae O'Brien
Shae O'Brien has recently been awarded CTV News 'Athlete of the Week' for January 23, 2020.
Water Ski & Wakeboard Alberta (WSWA) is pleased to acknowledge one of its young athletes and her impressive achievements this past season. Shae O’Brien, a member of the Water Ski & Wakeboard Alberta (WSWA) Junior Water Ski Team had an incredible season. She was named to Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada’s (WSWC) 2020 National Development Team and she set a Canadian Jump record of 34.7m for the Girls Under-14 Division. She set the record at Shalom Park Water Ski Site, near Nisku, Alberta, this past July.
The current International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) Ranking List has just come out. This list shows all skiers around the world and where they rank. Shae O’Brien is listed as Number 1 on the U17 Women Jump Ranking List. This is very impressive as Shae has just moved into the U17 division. On the U21 Women Jump Ranking List, Shae is 6th. Also, very remarkable as Shae has just turned 15 years of age. Shae competed in some tournaments this Fall in the U17 Women’s division and set her best jump of 41.7m.
Shae is looking great going into the 2021 season. She is looking to make the Canadian Team for the IWWF U17 World Water Ski Championships that will be held in Santa Rosa, Florida at the Pickos Water Ski School from August 22-25, 2021. Being the current #1 ranked jumper will guarantee her spot on the Canadian Team.
Following the U17 World Championships are the U21 World Water Ski Championships at the same site from August 26-29. Shae is looking to qualify to compete for Canada on the U21 Team. As she currently sits in the 6th position for jump on the ranking list, she looks good to qualify to make the U21 Canadian Team. This will be an incredible accomplishment for an athlete just 15 years of age.
We look forward to the 2021 season and watching Shae as she trains, competes, and gets ready for Worlds. Great things are happening in Alberta this summer for water skiing. The Canadian Western Water Ski Championships will be held at Predator Bay Water Ski Club on the August long weekend, July 30-August 2. Immediately following will be the Canadian National Water Ski Championships and they will be held at Shalom Park Water Ski Site, August 3-8. Shae will be competing in both these tournaments. She trains at both Predator Bay and Shalom Park and this will give her familiarity for these two Canadian events.
Water Ski & Wakeboard Alberta is thrilled and proud for Shae and her hard work and dedication to earn the ranking of #1 on the international ranking list.