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The Orakei Basin in Auckland

Water Ski’s Next Generation Takes Center Stage at 2025 University Worlds

News

Water ski’s next generation takes center stage at 2025 IWWF World University Championships

Auckland Water Ski Club

Aerial view of Orakei basin, near Auckland, New Zealand (image: Bruce W. Hayward)

By Jack Burden

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The 2025 waterski season launches with a bang next week as the IWWF World University Waterski Championships kick off in Auckland. The event, marking the first major competition of the year, is set to establish the early pecking order in what promises to be a high-octane season.

A total of 79 athletes from 19 nations will take to the water, featuring a mix of former junior world champions, rising stars, and burgeoning professionals eager to make their mark. While the World Championships brand may be expanding faster than a ski boat’s sticker price, there’s no questioning the sheer talent on display.

Slalom Showdowns

On the women’s side, Alexandra Garcia (USA) leads a fiercely competitive Slalom field, with Luisa Jaramillo (Colombia) and Daniela Kretschmer (Chile) set to challenge for the top spot. The men’s event features Nikolaus Attensam (Austria), Jaime Palomino Blanch (Mexico), and Federico Jaramillo (Colombia), each capable of throwing down massive scores under pressure.

Tricks to Watch

In the Tricks event, Malaysia’s Aaliyah Yoong Hannifah—already a familiar name in elite waterski circles—will look to fend off Canada’s Hannah Stopnicki in the women’s category. Meanwhile, the Mexican duo of Pablo Font and Patricio Font, alongside Erick Macias (USA), will be the favorites to beat in the men’s division.

Jumping to Great Heights

The Jump event could deliver some of the most electrifying moments of the week. Nellie Allard (Canada), Aaliyah Yoong Hannifah (Malaysia), and Lili Steiner (Austria) lead the women’s field, while the men’s side features France’s Pol Duplan-Fribourg, Argentina’s Tobias Giorgis, and Austria’s Luca Rauchenwald—all capable of clearing eye-watering distances.

Overall Contenders

When it comes to the all-around battle, expect Australia’s Lara Butlin, Malaysia’s Aaliyah Yoong Hannifah, and Austria’s Lili Steiner to contend for the women’s crown. In the men’s category, Pol Duplan-Fribourg (France) and Tobias Giorgis (Argentina) are the names to watch.

The Bigger Picture

This event marks the first University World Championships under the IWWF banner, with previous editions falling under FISU jurisdiction. Talks are already underway for an expanded 2026 edition, potentially adding wakeboard boat, cable wakeboard, and wakesurfing into the mix.

“IWWF is currently in discussions with a city in the USA to host the 2026 IWWF University Worlds with wakeboard boat, cable wakeboard, and wakesurfing being the proposed disciplines,” said IWWF President Jose Antonio Perez Priego.

With an already crowded calendar of IWWF title events, some critics wonder if the ever-expanding slate of competitions could dilute the prestige of the traditional World Championships. But for now, the focus is on New Zealand, where the future of waterskiing is set to take center stage.

And if the past is any guide, the next global star might just emerge from these very waters.

Auckland Water Ski Club

Cash Prize “Flip-Off” Set for University World Water Ski Championships

Media

Cash prize “flip-off” set for University World Water Ski Championships

Auckland Water Ski Club

Image: @uniworlds2025

By Jack Burden

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Spectators at the 2025 University World Water Ski Championships are in for a high-flying treat with the addition of the Moana Festival Flip-Off competition. The Flip-Off will take place on February 28, during the festival’s entertainment evening, part of the larger championships held from February 26 to March 2.

Organizers have announced that while the Flip-Off is not officially sanctioned by the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF), it will be a highlight of the evening, showcasing the athleticism of the world’s top trick skiers. The eight highest-ranked athletes from the IWWF world ranking list competing in the World Championships will have the chance to participate in this dynamic, fast-paced event. Each skier will be given 20 seconds to complete as many flips as possible.

The competition is designed as a crowd-pleaser, offering a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the formal championship events. Along with a cash prize, the winner will receive a joyride in a MiG fighter jet over the scenic Coromandel Range. Additional prizes will be awarded to the crowd’s favorite skier, encouraging audience interaction.

Although the Flip-Off is not part of the official University World Championship program, it aims to entertain and engage the audience. Footage from the event may be included in the live stream or used for sponsor promotion. This fun, adrenaline-pumping event will be part of an evening that also features live music and food trucks at the venue.

This marks the first University World Water Ski Championships since 2016, and the first time the event is being organized by the IWWF.

Read more in Bulletin 2

𝟏𝟏𝐗 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🏆

Ragin ‘Cajuns Win Fifth Consecutive National Title | USA Water Ski

Repost

Ragin ‘Cajuns Win Fifth Consecutive National Collegiate Water Ski Title

𝟏𝟏𝐗 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🏆

Image: @cajunski

By Scott N. Atkinson

USA Water Ski & Wake Sports

The University of Louisiana-Lafayette won the Division 1 national title at the Syndicate Waterskis 45th Collegiate Water Ski National Championships, Oct. 10-12, at the San Marcos River Ranch in Martindale, Texas. The Ragin’ Cajuns tallied 12,850.0 points in winning their fifth consecutive and 11th overall national title since the inception of the event in 1979.

The University of Louisiana-Monroe finished second with 11,705.0 points. The University of Alabama, which tallied 11,220.0 points, placed third. Florida Southern College finished fourth with 10,050.0 points and Arizona State University was fifth with 9,350.0 points.

The Nationals included 12 teams in Division 1 and 12 teams in Division 2. National team champions were declared in both divisions. Individual medals for slalom, tricks and jumping were awarded based on athletes’ placements within their division. Overall titles were awarded in each division to athletes competing in all three events. Athletes finishing in the top five in each event of slalom, tricks, jump and overall in Division 1 earned All-American honors.

The Orakei Basin in Auckland

2025 IWWF World University Water Ski Championships To Be Held in New Zealand

Repost

2025 IWWF World University Waterski Championships to be held in New Zealand

The Orakei Basin in Auckland

Aerial view of Orakei basin, near Auckland, New Zealand (image: Bruce W. Hayward)

IWWF

The IWWF Executive Board has approved a bid from New Zealand Waterski Association to host the 2025 IWWF World University Waterski Championships at the Auckland Water Ski Club (AWSC). The Championships, which will include the three traditional events of slalom, tricks and jump, will be held February 26 through March 2, 2025 at the Orakei Basin in Auckland. The dates have been selected to align with New Zealand’s peak summer period and pre- Moomba Masters.

“The site is unique and located inside a dormant volcanic crater on the side of the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland Harbour. It is within sight of the SkyTower in the centre of Auckland. While the site is saltwater based, it has hosted several great skiers and events over the years including the New Zealand Nationals every 5 years. It skis well with historical slalom scores into 10.25 metres and jumps over 65 metres.”

This will be the first IWWF World Titled traditional waterski event hosted by New Zealand and the first since our separation from the FISU World University Championships program. It will be towed exclusively by the World Record-Setting Ski Nautique.

The IWWF World University Waterski Championships is a team event comprised of skiers between the ages of 17 and 28 who are full time students in good standing at an accredited university.

The event itself has a very rich tradition with many of the world’s top skiers competing over the years. Beginning in 1996 with the first IWSF World University Trophy Tournament, in Milledgeville, Georgia, USA and a second IWSF World University Trophy Tournament in 1998 in Cleveland, Tennessee, the IWSF went on to sanction the 1st World University Waterski Championships in Tianjin, China, in 2002. The Tianjin event, probably the largest amateur waterski event in history with tens of thousands in attendance, was broadcast live on China’s National TV Network, which at the time had a total viewership of 600,000,000.

In 2002, The IWSF (Now IWWF) partnered with the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and FISU sanctioned events in Balakovo, Russia (2004), Tianjin, China (2008), Santiago, Chile (2012) and Akita, Japan (2016). Events were also scheduled for Dnipro, Ukraine in 2020 and Minsk, Belarus in 2022. Both were canceled, the first by COVID-19 pandemic, the second due to the war. Ukraine was rescheduled to 2024 but had to be canceled once again due to the war.

2025 marks the beginning of a new era as the World University Championships returns to the IWWF. The next event, hopefully, will take place in 2026 and will include two or more sport disciplines, conducted under the umbrella of the “IWWF University Worlds.”

 

2023 Syndicate Collegiate Nationals

Watch: 2023 Syndicate Collegiate Water Ski National’s | HO Sports

Video

2023 Syndicate Water Skis Collegiate Nationals

By Rob Hazelwood

HO Sports

The Water Ski event that brings the hype to our sport year after year! The energy is high, the skiing is intense and the friendships that are made are legendary! Enjoy Rob’s Recap of this very special event!

Thank you Tri-Lakes for hosting such a spectacular event and shoutout to all the teams, skiers, coaches, drivers, officials, volunteers and everyone else who makes the NCWSA Nationals and collegiate season what it is year after year.

Also thank you to Chris Wharton for the Drone Shots!

Qualified Teams

Southern Atlantic Coastal Region

  1. University of Alabama
  2. Rollins College
  3. Florida Southern College
  4. Clemson University
  5. Auburn University

South Central Region

  1. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  2. University of Louisiana Monroe
  3. Texas A&M University
  4. University of Arkansas
  5. Texas State University

West Coast Region

  1. Arizona State University
  2. San Diego State University
  3. California Polytechnical University – San Luis Obispo
  4. Western Washington University
  5. University of California – Los Angeles

Midwest Region

  1. University of Kansas
  2. University of Wisconsin – Madison
  3. Miami University
  4. University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
  5. University of Nebraska
  6. Purdue University
  7. University of Michigan – Wildcard qualified
  8. University of Cincinnati – Wildcard qualified
  9. The Ohio State University – Wildcard qualified
Team of the Year: University of Kansas

2023 Collegiate Award Winners Announced | NCWSA

Repost

Congratulations to the 2023 winners of the NCWSA Annual Awards

2023 NCWSA Award Winners

2023 NCWSA Honorees (image: NCWSA).

By Molly Voska

NCWSA

Each year, the NCWSA community nominates and votes on the prestigious titles of Team of the Year, Outstanding Leader of the Year, and Athlete of the Year. Through these organization-wide awards, we honor those that have put their best efforts towards supporting the sport, on the water and behind the scenes.

We celebrate their successes at the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports banquet in January. Please join us in applause for this year’s winners!

Team of the Year

University of Kansas

Female Outstanding Leader of the Year

Virginia Dozier, Auburn University

Male Outstanding Leader of the Year

Carter Eaton, Arizona State University

Female Athlete of the Year

Neilly Ross, Rollins College

Male Athlete of the Year

Arron Davies, University of Louisiana Lafayette

Full article at NCWSA.

Ragin’ Cajuns water ski team wins fourth national title in a row, 10th overall

Ragin’ Cajuns Water Ski Team Wins Fourth National Title in a Row | KLFY Lafayette

Repost

Ragin’ Cajuns water ski team wins fourth national title in a row, 10th overall

Ragin’ Cajuns water ski team wins fourth national title in a row, 10th overall

Provided by KLFY Lafayette.

By Charlie Bier

KLFY Lafayette

ZACHARY, La. (KLFY) — UL Lafayette’s Ragin’ Cajuns water ski team has claimed its fourth consecutive Division I national title, bringing its overall total to 10 championships.

The team holds the most national championships in school history; it competes as a club sport rather than an NCAA-sanctioned sport.

The team also earned Division I national championships in 2022, 2021, 2019, 2015, 2010, 2005, 2003, 1997 and 1995. COVID-19 considerations prevented the championship from being held in 2020.

This year’s national championship came at the Syndicate Waterskis 2023 Collegiate Nationals that were held Oct. 26-28 in Zachary, La. The win capped an undefeated season for the team, an unbeaten streak that stretches back to 2019.

Full article at KLFY Lafayette.

Texas-Sized Spirit at the Syndicate Skis 2021 NCWSA Championships

Quiz: Every Collegiate Division II National Teams Champion

Quizzes

Quiz: Every Collegiate Division II National Teams Champion

Texas-Sized Spirit at the Syndicate Skis 2021 NCWSA Championships

Texas-Sized Spirit at the Syndicate Skis 2021 NCWSA Championships. (image: NCWSA)

By RTB

4 minute play

In this quiz, you have to name every teams champion at the Division II Collegiate National Championships.

14 teams have taken out the team title over the 20+ year history of Division II at the NCWSA National Championships. No team has won this event more than three times, and only two teams have won both Division I and Division II titles. We have mentioned the year of their most recent title and the total number of titles won.

Warhawk Skiers at the NCWSA Nationals

Quiz: Every Collegiate National Teams Champion

Quizzes

Quiz: Every Collegiate National Teams Champion

Warhawk Skiers at the NCWSA Nationals

The shores of Bennett’s Water Ski and Wakeboard School lined with collegiate skiers. (image: Emerald McIntyre)

By RTB

2 minute play

In this quiz, you have to name every teams champion at the Collegiate National Championships.

Six teams have taken out the division I team title over the 40+ year history of the NCWSA National Championships. Two schools have dominated this event, winning close to 90% of titles since the first nationals in 1979. We have mentioned the year of their most recent title and the total number of titles won.

2022 NCWSA Nationals

Watch: 2022 Syndicate Collegiate Water Ski National’s | HO Sports

Video

2022 Syndicate Water Skis Collegiate National Championships // THE Water Ski Event of the YEAR

By Rob Hazelwood

HO Sports

Re-live the 2022 Syndicate Water Skis Collegiate National Championships in San Marcos, TX! One of the most exciting and energized competitions in the sport of Water skiing! We at HO/Syndicate are always thankful to continue supporting collegiate water skiing and keep this amazing tournament as alive and epic as ever!

Shoutout to all the teams, skiers, coaches, drivers, officials, volunteers and everyone else who makes the NCWSA Nationals and collegiate season what it is year after year.

Competing Teams:
Southern Atlantic Coastal Region:
University of Alabama – D1
Florida Southern College – D1
Rollins College – D1
Clemson University – D1
Auburn University – D2

South Central Region:
University of Louisiana at Lafayette – D1
University of Louisiana Monroe – D1
Texas A&M – D2
University of Texas – Austin – D2
University of Arkansas – D2

West Coast Region:
Arizona State University – D1
San Diego State University – D2
California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo – D2
University of California, Berkeley – D2
Western Washington University – D2

Midwest Region:
University of Wisconsin – Madison – D1
Kansas University – D1
The Ohio State University – D1
University of Michigan – D1
University of Miami – D1
Purdue University – D2
Michigan State University – D2
University of Nebraska – D2
University of Cincinnati – D2