Staff
After eight gruelling challenges that tested both mental and physical abilities, local resident Joshua Henry was declared “Canada’s Greatest Explorer” and awarded the $25,000 grand prize after winning the final one.
“The challenges that we’ve done and the things that I’ve learned, the testing I’ve had to put myself through to get to this stage, was worth it just to see what you can accomplish,” Henry enthused in the episode.
“It’s been an amazing ride—the whole thing.”
In the final episode, which can be seen online at WoodsExplorer.ca, Henry went head-to-head against Aaron Lauritsen of Cochrane, Alta. in a 15-km rafting race along the Red Deer River.
The pair were required to build a raft using locally-sourced materials
“By using paddles and poles, you’ll be testing both your fitness and your ability to navigate,” explained Joel Hibbard, a river guide and the expedition leader during the challenge.
“This is really out of my element and very unexpected,” Henry noted.
“I think [the raft is] going to float [but] I don’t know how easy it’s going to be to manage down the river,” he admitted.
Henry and Lauritsen had the chance to test out their rafts before heading down the river.
“Both Aaron and Josh have made very solid rafts,” Hibbard noted.
“Through this course, where there are rocks and other challenges, being able to take a little abuse is going to serve them well,” he added.
“Rafting is an endurance sport and its going to be important that they not burn themselves out too quickly.”
While Henry had the lead early in the race, he wasn’t eager to rest on his laurels.
“I’m in front right now but it’s a long race,” he stressed in the episode.
“We both want this title—we both want to win the money,” Henry added.
“Aaron is an incredible competitor and I’m going to just keep doing what I’ve been doing the entire way, just giving it everything I have.”
Henry arrived at the finish line first with a time of 3:28:30 while Lauritsen wasn’t far behind at 3:31:31.
“That is it, boys. Four weeks done, eight challenges crossing Canada—it came down to a few metres of separation,” show host Ricky Forbes noted.
“Aaron was like the craziest competition and I’m actually so surprised that I beat him,” Henry said after crossing the finish line.
“It’s been just a great experience seeing more of Canada’s landscapes—something that I love and something that I will cherish,” he enthused.
“Coming this far, seeing these places, it’s all been incredible.”
All eight episodes of the competition can be viewed online at WoodsExplorer.ca
