The 2025 BC Wakesurf Provincial Championships took place on Saturday, August 16, at Koocanusa Village, with several Fernie riders earning podium finishes.
“From seeing a number of brand-new riders in their first competitive event, to incredible runs from the top riders in BC, and watching the spirit of camaraderie within the surf community, it was another stellar event,” says Waterski and Wake Sport BC Wake Surf Committee member Loree Duczek. “In spite of the cloudy, rainy weather, we still had people lining the course on shore and several boats cheering riders on from the water, which was so great to see.”
A total of 34 athletes competed across multiple divisions, including Juniors, Amateur, Masters, and Pro, with riders traveling from as close as Koocanusa Village to as far away as Victoria. A number of East Kootenay riders reached the podium, including in the Pro Divisions, where three local athletes faced off in Pro Women’s. After two solid passes, Fernie’s Caroline Villeneuve claimed first place, edging out Koocanusa-based surfer Emily Agate in second, with Cranbrook’s Randall Savarie in third.
In Pro Men’s, it was another “battle of the bros” as Cranbrook’s Ryder and Dagen Duczek went head-to-head with Calgary’s Noah Goulding. In the end, Ryder edged past Dagen to take first place by just half a point, while Goulding earned third in his first pro outing.
Other East Kootenay podium finishes included Cranbrook’s Hudson Tily and Kimberley’s Colten Gauer, both age six, who placed second and third respectively in the Junior Boys 2 Division. In Amateur Female, Fernie’s Olivia Sombrowski captured the Provincial Championship, while Cranbrook’s Lauren Jensen celebrated her first podium finish in third. In Amateur Men’s 1, Fernie’s Oliver Pogubila earned his first Provincial Championship, edging out Baynes Lake’s Jack Mailloux in second. Cranbrook’s Nicholas Jensen also impressed, finishing second in Men’s Amateur 2. In the Masters Division, South Country’s Jason Williamson and Matt Boehm claimed first and second in Masters Men’s, while Wardner’s Cindy Salter earned third in her debut competition.
The course featured two one-minute passes between designated buoys, with a playful twist at the end: the final buoy was an inflatable moose that riders could attempt to land on. “We had some pretty epic attempts to wrangle the moose, and in the end, a father-and-son duo—Matt and Casen Taylor—tied for best dismount, with one landing headfirst and the other feet first,” adds Duczek. “It was definitely an entertaining way to cap off the course. We’d like to thank all the sponsors and volunteers who stepped up to make the day possible. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
The event’s title sponsor, SWS Marine Group, is also the presenting sponsor of the upcoming Canadian Wakesurf and Foiling Nationals, taking place September 6–7 at Koocanusa Village. This two-day event will showcase the best surfers and foilers across all divisions. It is open to all ages and abilities, with registration available at wswbc.typeform.com/2025SurfNats. A reduced rate is in effect until August 26, and registration closes September 2.
