Local riders battled intense weather conditions and some stiff competition in the 2018 Canadian Wakesurf Nationals in Chestermere, Alberta.

Ryder Duczek, 13, was seated in first place after his first run in the Men’s Amateur Division. He and the other riders in his division battled 40 km/hr winds and whitecaps during the second run. In spite of the conditions, he managed to land a variety of tricks en route to a first place finish in Men’s Amateur Skim.

Meanwhile, younger brother Dagen,11, was in a battle in the Junior Division competing against a field of talented U-12 riders, including the first and second ranked junior riders in the world.  After a strong first run on day one, he went into his final run seated second overall.  While the wind subsided for his final run, the Juniors battled ice-cold conditions riding first in the morning with a temperature of six degrees.  Dagen boosted big airs on his way to a silver medal.

Cranbrook’s Montanna Rouselle also had a strong weekend, landing her first ever Shuv in competition, winning third place overall in the Women’s Amateur Skim Division and taking home a brand new Phase 5 Matrix Skimboard for “best trick in Women’s Amateur.”

Mike Rouselle took first overall in a new event at Nationals in the “Adaptive Wakesurf” Division in what was the most inspiring division of the weekend.

Finally, Caro Villeneuve of the H20 School on Lake Koocanusa showed everyone why she is known as one of the best riders in the world year in and year out with a second place finish in the Pro Women’s Skim division.

Also representing the Cranbrook area, were Gabrielle and Isaac Hockley in Pro Women’s Surf and Outlaw Men’s Skim respectively.

The Nationals were held August 17-19 on Lake Chestermere just outside of Calgary.

Lead Image: The Kootenay Contingent – Left to Right Back Row: Montanna Rouselle, Isaac Hockley, Mike Rouselle, Caro Villeneuve, Ryder Duczek, Dagen Duczek / Front Row: Gabrielle Hockley and “Mascot” Charlie. Photos contributed

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