Parks Canada has issued a warning against skiing over the Rideau Canal following a viral video showing a member of a stunt group attempting the dangerous feat. The heart-stopping stunt was captured in a 22-minute video by The Jetskis and shared on YouTube on Christmas Eve. The video features 21-year-old Tai How skiing through trees near Parliament Hill in Ottawa, launching off a snow ramp, and crossing a 9.7-meter gap before crashing onto the opposite edge without a helmet.
In response to the video, Parks Canada emphasized that the Rideau Canal National Historic Site is not meant for unauthorized activities like ski jumping. They have increased enforcement and stated that violations could lead to fines. How, who performed the stunt in February while in Ottawa, described the attempt as risky but felt confident about it.
Local authorities, however, expressed concerns about potential copycat attempts following the video’s popularity on social media. Parks Canada officials warned that trespassers could face fines up to $10,000. Benjamin Gales, the visitor services manager for the Rideau Canal, stressed the dangers of replicating such stunts, highlighting the risks of severe injuries.
Superintendent Marc-Antoine Deschamps from the Ottawa Paramedic Service labeled the jump as extremely dangerous, citing potential orthopedic, neck, back, and head injuries. He mentioned the complexity of a rescue operation in case of a mishap. Despite the controversy, How defended his actions, acknowledging the risks involved in extreme sports but also advocating for caution and pushing personal limits within one’s skill level.