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.
    The classic band will be performing at the Badlands Community Facility on June 27.  Randy Martin of Karizma Entertainment, who is promoting the show said this type of show is a win-win for the community.
    “Not only is it impossible for the town to lose money, it is impossible for the town to not make money. The only entity that takes a risk, 100 per cent, is me,” said Martin.
    Martin has been promoting shows in Alberta for three years and says he fills a niche in communities larger promoters overlook.
    “Nobody is catering to the secondary markets like Drumheller, where they have a facility that holds 1,500-1,700 people,” he said.  “We come into a market where people really appreciate it.”
    Economic Development officer Bob Cromwell  explains  the Town of Drumheller has rented the field house to a promoter, and is receiving a commission for ticket sales. The town also has the opportunity to generate revenue through bar and food sales.
    “What it does is allows us, as a community, to support the event and generate revenues from it,” said Cromwell, adding that seven sponsorship tables were sold out in the first week. “That to me says this community has stepped up large and wants this kind of thing.”
    Cromwell said the community facility will benefit from the show.
    Martin said if successful, this could lead to more shows.
    “The way Drumheller has responded, I feel really good about it. At the end of the concert when the numbers are all tallied and there is a successful concert, this could lead to two concerts a year,” said Martin.