Waterski Coaches Edmonton | World Champions

HOF

🏆 Ken Nelson Portrait

Ken Nelson

Founder · Hall of Fame

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🏆

Ken Nelson

Founder · Hall of Fame Inductee

Born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Started skiing at fifteen — a kid who didn't have a great deal of self-confidence, until the water changed that. Bronze medal at his first Nationals in 1973. Gold medallist by his twenties. Six Canadian records. The first person to use cylinders as boat guides in the slalom course. Designer of a portable slalom course and an IWSF-approved ski jump. The first in the world to develop a recreational slalom course — making competitive skiing accessible to beginners. In 1985, he looked at 42 acres of Alberta prairie and built a world-class lake. Inducted into the WSWC Hall of Fame as a Pioneer in 2011.

Achievements

WSWC Hall of Fame — Pioneer (2011)
National Gold Medallist, Slalom
Six Canadian Records
Invented cylindrical boat guides (rule change)
Created the recreational slalom course concept
IWSF-approved ski jump designer (1993)
Built Shalom Park from raw prairie (1985)

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PRO

🎓 Kristy Kraus

Kristy Kraus

Manager · Two-Time National Record Holder

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🎓

Kristy Kraus

Manager · Two-Time Canadian National Record Holder

Ken's daughter. Grew up on this lake. Two-time Canadian national slalom record holder (Women 35+ in 2015, Women 45+ in 2017 and 2023). Past Canadian Junior National Team Coach. Tournament Director for the Junior Canadian Open. Kristy manages every aspect of Shalom Park — from booking your first set to directing World Record Capability events. She's the one who makes it all work.

Specialties

Canadian Record: Women 35+ Slalom (2015)
Canadian Record: Women 45+ Slalom (2017, 2023)
Past Canadian Junior National Team Coach
Tournament Director, Jr. Canadian Open
Second generation — Ken Nelson's daughter

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COACH

💪 Emily Wenzel

Emily Wenzel

Coach · Women on the Water

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💪

Emily Wenzel

Women on the Water Coach

Emily leads Women on the Water — a women-only program designed to build confidence at your own pace. Four coached sets over two Saturdays, max six participants, in a supportive environment where the only goal is getting comfortable on the water. A competitive slalom skier herself, Emily brings warmth, patience, and technical skill to every session. She's marrying into the Nelson family this summer — the next chapter in three generations on the lake.

Specialties

Lead Coach — Women on the Water
Competitive slalom skier
Max 6 participants per session
Supportive, women-only environment
Joining the Nelson family, 2026

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ELITE

⚡ Sean Kraus

Sean Kraus

Coach · U21 World Tricks Champion

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⚡

Sean Kraus

U21 World Tricks Champion · Coach

Sean won the U21 World Tricks Championship on this lake in 2019 — in front of his grandfather Ken. U21 World Championship Finalist again in 2023. Six Alberta provincial records across four age divisions. He grew up on this water. Now he coaches tricks and slalom where he learned to ski.

Achievements

U21 World Tricks Champion (2019)
U21 World Championship Finalist (2023)
6 Alberta Provincial Records
Third generation at Shalom Park
@_seankraus

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ELITE

🎯 Evan Kraus

Evan Kraus

Coach · U21 World Slalom Champion

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🎯

Evan Kraus

U21 World Slalom Champion · Coach/Driver

Evan won the U21 World Slalom Championship on this lake in 2019 — at the same event where his brother Sean won Tricks. One of the most precise slalom boat drivers in western Canada. He coaches slalom and provides tournament-grade driving. Third generation at Shalom Park.