Pat Messner has the distinction of being Canada’s only Olympic medallist in water skiing. That happened at the 1972 Games where water skiing was on the program as a demonstration sport. She won the bronze in women’s slalom, an achievement that launched a successful international career.

”Being at the Olympics was an amazing experience,” said Messner, who was coached by her father Joe Messner, a 15-time national champion. They currently run Mesle Canada Water Ski School in Ottawa. ”I wish it could have been granted official status but unfortunately it didn’t work out. Still, water skiing remains extremely popular at the participation and that in large parts explains Canada’s continued success.”

After the Olympics, Messner ran off a string of firsts for a Canadian woman. She won four world championship medals including the gold in women’s slalom in 1979. She was the first Canadian woman to win gold at the Masters Tournament finishing first in slalom in 1978. Messner collected 18 national titles- the first in 1964- and broke Canadian records 19 times. She was on the national team in 1972 and from 1975-80.

Career Highlights

• The only Canadian water skier to have won an Olympic medal – she won bronze in the women’s s slalom event at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, when water skiing debuted as a demonstration sport.


• Following the Olympic medal, she won 4 subsequent world championship medals, including the gold medal in women’s slalom in 1979.


• Captured 18 Canadian champion titles from 1965 to 1979.


• Held 19 different Canadian records in her career.