Local Drumheller residents have discovered a new extreme sport this spring, and all that’s required is a kayak, the north hill entrance into Drumheller, and some favourable spring conditions.
The “sport” has raised quite a few eyebrows after making its internet debut, but for 24-year-old Kelly Henrickson, his younger brother Adam, and their friend Daniel Hawryluk, it was a golden opportunity to have some fun during their lunch break from Westergard Ford on April 5.
Kevin Burfield, a resident living in the Morrin area, sparked Kelly’s interest when he sent him a cell phone photo of the spring runoff flowing alongside the north entrance of Drumheller, located near the airport turn off.
“I pretty much decided right then and there that it had to be done,” said Henrickson.
The idea came up as a result of Henrickson’s father who used to talk about it years ago. But having never tried it before, Henrickson felt that now was the time.
“It just worked out that we had the kayak in the right spot,” he said.
“I’ve always kind of wanted to do it before and we’ve always talked about it.”
With Hawryluck taking the wheel and his younger brother Adam filming the whole experience alongside from the highway, Henrickson hopped in the kayak and began his journey down hill.
“It was awesome,” said Henrickson.
After making it down as far as he could on the right side of the highway, he portaged across the road and completed the final leg of his journey on the opposite side of the road.
“It was a little rough, so I didn’t have the skirt on it,” said Henrickson. “It filled the kayak full of water, and I almost ended up in Michichi Creek then into the river. So I had to go for a little bit of a swim.”
Henrickson and friends have already begun to brainstorm ways they can make the next time more fun. One of the ideas includes bringing a canoe and another person into the equation.
Although the stunt can only be performed a few days each spring, it’s managed to grab a lot of people’s attention and may just be the next big “extreme sport” to hit Drumheller.
“Since there’s no ski hill, or skate park and because of the Town’s latest anti dirt biking crusade, we’re running out of things to do around here,” said Henrickson. “You have to make your own fun.”
For a clip of the kayak ride, click here (must be logged into Facebook).
While the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band concert is still a few months away, already 650 tickets have been snatched up by music fans.
