lNNISFAIL – The next generation of Llewellyn water-ski champions is taking the sport to the next level.
Dorien Llewellyn, son of Innisfail water-skiing legend, world champion and world record holder, Jaret Llewellyn, was in Innisfail recently as part of a video on his father’s life and legacy and his return to Canada to water-ski.
The 22-year-old was born and raised in Orlando, Fla., and trains there throughout the year with his father, who is also his coach. He was named to the Canadian national water-ski team and now skis for Canada. Llewellyn competes in several Canadian competitions every year, in addition to international events.
“I was born in Orlando but because my dad is from (Innisfail), I’ve always taken pride in that, and I’ve always wanted to ski with him on the Canadian team,” said Llewellyn.
“It’s an awesome feeling to have made the team a couple of years ago. I went to the Pan Am Championships that year and won (2016 Open Men’s Trick champion). That was my introduction to being on the Canadian team, was winning the Pan Am Championships.”
Llewellyn has also won three pro-events in the past year, including the 2018 Latrobe City International Invitational in Australia in March 2018.
Here in Canada, he recently competed in the 2018 Canadian Water Ski Open in Edmonton and the 2018 Western Water Ski Championships in Calgary at the end of July.
Llewellyn’s father Jaret has 117 wins on the pro circuit, nine world championship titles and holds 11 world records. He also won numerous medals at the Pan Am Games during his career, and is a five-time World Cup jump champion. He still competes on the Canadian national team today.
While following in his father’s footsteps may seem like a daunting task, Llewellyn says he is definitely up for the challenge.
He isn’t letting an injury he suffered early on stop him from reaching his goals.
“I had a knee injury at the age of 18 and it took me out for a year,” he said. “The Canadian Open every year is a benchmark where I get to see how well I’m doing. The first couple of years, was just about trying to get back (into the sport) and this year I really wanted to take it to all the guys.”
He has had much support from family, friends and sponsors.
“Red Bull’s been amazing to me throughout my entire career. I started working with them when I was 12,” he added. “They are so much more than just the brand to me, especially throughout my rehab process with my knee. They gave me the facilities and the trainers to really come back.”
Llewellyn said he has enjoyed the sport and his time with family and friends, but he’s now shifting his focus to his father’s records.
“From here on out there are a couple of specific goals I’m trying to reach,” said Llewellyn, noting his father’s Canadian trick record. “I’m getting there and I know it’s something that the both of us are looking at and thinking that could be my next achievement.”
His father’s national trick record is 11,210 points. Llewellyn recently reached a personal best in early July with 10,840 points, nearing his father's record.
“There’s just one more trick that I need to add and I’ll be right there,” he said. “I’ve set up my run right now so I can tie it and I think that’d be really cool to hold (that record) with my dad. Then at some point maybe I’ll go for it and break the record after that,” he added with a smile.
The young, accomplished water-ski champion is looking to the future with anticipation.
“I’m excited for what the future holds. Every year I’m gaining that confidence and now I‘m starting to take it to the pros,” said Llewellyn. “I want to live up to the Llewellyn name. This sport means so much to my family and I want to give that back to the sport as well.”
