Calgary just hosted one of the most electric weekends in professional waterskiing! From July 30 to August 2, the world’s elite athletes descended upon the Predator Bay Water Ski Club for the inaugural Rocky Mountain Pro Am! The highly anticipated second stop of the 2026-2027 Nautique Water Ski World Series!
Proudly sponsored by Shuswap Ski & Board, the weekend was an absolute spectacle of pending world records, massive personal bests, and career-defining milestones. With the Rocky Mountain backdrop setting the scene, the progression of the sport was on full display.
While the entire weekend was packed with highlights, three Shuswap Ski & Board team athletes delivered performances that deserve a major spotlight:
Joel Poland Completes the Ultimate Résumé
If there was ever a weekend that cemented a legacy, it was this one for Great Britain’s Joel Poland. Poland finally captured his elusive Pro Men Slalom title! In a chaotic and thrilling final, Poland tied Canada’s phenom Charlie Ross with 3 @ 10.25m (41 off). The tie forced a high-pressure runoff where Poland emerged victorious. With this slalom win, Poland has officially completed his professional "three-event resume." He is the first man in over 35 years - and only the second skier this century after Regina Jaquess - to win professional titles in all three events: slalom, trick, and jump.
Hannah Stopnicki Shines on Home Water
Returning to the exact same lake where she captured her U21 World Championship title in 2025, Montreal's Hannah Stopnicki proved she can hang with the heaviest hitters in the sport. In a historic trick competition where five women broke the 10,000-point mark in qualifying, Stopnicki held her own in the Pro finals, securing an impressive 3rd place finish to claim the bronze podium.Â
Kate Pinsonneault Takes Flight
British Columbia’s Kate Pinsonneault showed incredible versatility and fearlessness all weekend, taking to the ramp against giants of the sport like Regina Jaquess and Aliaksandra Danisheuskaya. Pinsonneault launched herself into the highly competitive Pro Women Jump field, posting a massive 44.6m (146ft) distance in the finals to solidify her spot among the elite.Â
A massive thank you to Predator Bay, Nautique, Shuswap Ski & Board, and all the volunteers who made the inaugural Rocky Mountain Pro Am a massive success for Calgary!
Ski you next year!
- Shuswap Ski & BoardÂ
SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE IMAGES FROM 35+ WORLDS!!! Photos by Johnny Hayward @bearwitnesssportsphoto throughout articleÂ
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The World’s Best Are Coming to Calgary: The Nautique Water Ski World Series Rocky Mountain Pro Am! This August, the Predator Bay Water Ski Club will host the inaugural Rocky Mountain Pro Am. Running from July 30 to August 2, 2026, this isn’t just another stop on the calendar, it is the inaugural event of the newly launched Nautique Water Ski World Series.
For years, Predator Bay has been a legendary site for high-performance skiing, having hosted World Championships and record-breaking tournaments many times in the past. But this year, the stakes are higher. As a primary stop on the Nautique World Series, this tournament is critical for athletes chasing the overall series title. We are going to see the absolute best 3-event skiers on the planet (Slalom, Trick, and Jump) battling it out in our own backyard and Shuswap Ski & Board can’t wait to be there on the shore with you!
You can’t talk about world-class athletic performances without talking about the ski machine that is pulling them.
We are thrilled to see Nautique announce the launch of the Water Ski World Series.
At Shuswap Ski & Board, this is what we live for. For 30 years, we’ve been the heartbeat of watersports in Western Canada. Seeing an event of this magnitude land in Calgary validates everything we love about this community. We are proud to support the ecosystem that allows these events to thrive, from the grassroots local skiers to the international podium chasers. When you see the Shuswap Ski & Board tent on the shore or our team athletes on the water, know that it represents three decades of passion for life on the water.
The Ski Nautique will be the exclusive towboat for the Rocky Mountain Pro Am, and for good reason. It’s the boat that has pulled more world records than any other, known for its legendary tracking and soft wakes that allow pros to push harder and fly farther. Having Nautique’s support elevates this tournament to a true "world class" feel. When you see that Ski Nautique roaring down the lake, you know you’re watching the best in class of the industry towing the best waterski athletes on earth.
See You at Predator Bay! Click here for event info and directions
The 2026 Rocky Mountain Pro Am is going to be the highlight of summer 2026 and we couldn’t be prouder to be a sponsor of this world class event as we celebrate our 30th year anniversary. Mark your calendars for July 30 – August 2. Its going to be huge! Come for the world-class skiing, stay for the party, and be sure to stop by and say hi to the Shuswap Ski & Board team. Let’s show the world that Alberta is the place to be for watersports!!!