Hudson's Bay Present #ProjectAdventure

After 27 episodes, 50 Canadian destinations, over 15,300 kilometers and countless once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it’s safe to say it’s been a long and incredible journey down the road less traveled. Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris have caught a rare glimpse of this beautiful country and they’ve done a spectacular job of recording the ride for our viewing pleasure. Over the course of the journey, the boys have seen breathtaking landscapes, come face-to-face with some unbelievable wildlife and sampled a small portion of everything this spectacular country has to offer. We hope you enjoy our final episode full of never before seen behind the scenes footage. A special thanks to everyone who helped make Project Adventure a success. Thank you for joining us. Canada is simply amazing.

Episode 26 takes our boys to Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, the Project Adventure team’s final destination. They’ve traveled an incredible distance since their first surf on the West coast in Tofino and the boys could not be more excited to end the trip catching waves on the opposite side of the country. It’s only Ryan’s second time ever surfing but a few tumbles and a couple unexpected encounters with rocks later, he finally gets the hang of things. After many hours in the Atlantic Ocean’s icy waters, the boys are tired, covered in goosebumps and ready to go home. Then, by shear fluke, they run into pro surfers Nico Manos and Logan Landry who graciously take them to a perfectly built underground bowl for some sick skateboarding. The next morning, having made nice with the pros, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris head back out to Lawrencetown Beach for a sunset surf on some crispy waves. The swell came in overnight and the powerful waves are about 8 feet high, but that doesn’t slow Mike down one bit. Five hours later, they’re finally ready to head home. What a day. What a trip.

Episode 25 of Project Adventure follows the boys to the East Coast of Canada to beautiful Prince Edward Island, where the soil is red and the potatoes are world famous. First, they stop at Ken’s Island Fries to taste the best homemade fries on the island. Using only hand-cut, locally grown potatoes, this traveling delicatessen is a Maritime favourite. Then it’s off to Ben’s Lake for some trout fishing with expert fly fisherman, George Craig. After a quick lesson on land, where they learn how to tie their own flies and properly cast their lines, it’s off to the docks to set some hooks. The rainbow trout are biting like crazy, and the boys catch fly-fishing fever as their rods bend and dip. After hours of excitement, they head back to the Hilton in Dartmouth for a much needed shower and a good night’s sleep.

It’s day 50 of Project Adventure and Chris, Mike, Ryan and Brent are headed towards our nation’s capital for their most action packed day yet. First, it’s off to HBC’s Ottawa store for a special welcome from the town crier, followed by some delicious custom striped Beaver Tails. Then the boys head to Carleton University to catch a rare glimpse of the city from way up high. Paralympic boardercross snowboarder and Petro Canada FACE athlete John Leslie, meets up with the boys at the Up & Away Tours launch site for some epic hot air ballooning. Ryan and Brent are terrified at first, but the view is so distractingly beautiful that they let their fears fall by the wayside. Two bumpy yet safe landings later, the boys head for Bowmanville, Ontario for the Boots and Hearts music festival to get on stage with acclaimed country music singer, Jason Aldean. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 50 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it! *Petro Canada’s FACE athlete program (Fuelling Athlete and Coaching Excellence) provides equal funding to developing Olympic and Paralympic athletes and their coaches. The program provides 50 up-and coming pre-carded Olympic hopefuls with the resources necessary to pursue their dreams.

Episode 23 of Project Adventure follows our boys to beautiful Québec City where they pay a visit to HBC’s downtown QC store. After a warm welcome from the friendly staff, they pick up some striped gear from the special pop-up shop, and enjoy a piece of custom striped cake. Then it’s off to explore Les Galeries de la Capitale, the largest commercial complex in Eastern Canada. With 280 shops, 35 restaurants, a 17,000 square foot ice rink and the second largest amusement park in North America, it’s impossible for the boys to see everything the mall has to offer. But they couldn’t leave without a ride on the rollercoaster, a flip on the zipper and a quick skate. A short half hour later, the boys arrive at Montmorency Falls Park, where they meet up with Petro Canada FACE athlete David Blais-Langlais for a short French lesson. Unable to fully grasp the language, the boys count their lucky stars that Dave is there to tear down the language barrier. Then it’s time to conquer the falls. As an aerial freestyle skiier, Dave is used to conquering great heights on the daily, and the boys are happy to have him along for moral support. With the help of experienced guide, Jordan, Dave and the boys head up the falls for an epic climb that lasts almost 5 hours. But they don’t mind: “All of the views while on that climb were so worth it,” says Ryan. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 50 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

It’s day 47 of our epic cross-country road trip and the boys are stoked to be in the second largest French-speaking city in the world to learn how to play Canada’s favourite sport: hockey. After getting suited up in brand new gear with the help of Montreal’s Sports Experts, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris head to the Aréna Ville Mont-Royal to meet up with Canadian Olympic Women’s Hockey Team coach, Danielle Savageau and three-time gold medal Olympic goalie, Kim St-Pierre. It’s a day of firsts for Chris, who has never played so much as a game of shinny in his life. The drills, which focus on mobility, agility, passing and shooting, are tough to say the least. And Danielle Sauvageau, the woman who lead the first women’s ice hockey team to take home the gold in nearly 50 years, expects nothing less than everything our boys have. Tensions run high and after a slight altercation, Ryan and Chris drop their gloves and Chris experiences his first on-ice fight, which of course, ends with a hug. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

It’s episode 21 of Project Adventure and Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris are in Toronto for the most intense workout of their lives. Olympic beach volleyball player, Martin Reader arrives at one of Ashbridges Bay’s 85 courts, to whip our boys into shape using giant chains, truck tires, parachutes and of course volleyballs. As an Olympic athlete and the co-founder of a fitness company called Strive Life, Martin has no problem pushing the boys to their limits as he guides them through his own high intensity, sport-specific training session. After endless drills and a few good rallies, just as the boys start to feel like they’ve hit their stride, they’re joined by Casey McTavish and Caleigh Whitaker, members of the Canadian National Beach Volleyball Team. Needless to say, the boys gets owned and stuffed back down to earth. Brent and Chris are ecstatic after managing to mark even a single point against girls. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

It’s day 43 of Project Adventure and Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris are in Toronto to take a daring walk around the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere. Standing at 553 meters above sea level, The CN Tower is made up of 147 floors, 2579 steps and decades of rich Canadian history. As the boys step into their orange Edge Walk jumpers, a mix of fear and excitement washes over them. But all that fades as soon as they step out onto the edge, and catch a rare glimpse of the spectacular view from 356 meters above the city. Though Brent has a very real fear of heights, it doesn’t take long for him to get his bearings: “If you can walk on the sidewalk, you can walk on the Edge Walk.” After a quick visit to 360, the CN Tower’s revolving restaurant, Mike takes his post Edge Walk adrenaline rush over to New Tribe Tattoos and gets inked. Over seven hours later, he’s left with a unique tattoo that will forever commemorate this epic, once-in-a-lifetime journey across Canada. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 19 of Project Adventure follows our boys to the glassy, crystal clear lakes found only in Canada’s world-class cottage country, Muskoka, Ontario. As the sun rises, the boys arrive at Bush’s Sports Centre’s private lake for a wakeboarding lesson with a couple talented, homebred ladies. Pan-American athlete Erika Langman and FACE athlete Tayler Wilton suit up in Stripes and strap on their boards to show our boys how to catch some big air. First timers Brent and Ryan have a little trouble getting up, but their persistence, and Erika and Tayler’s careful instruction, finally pays off. Ryan gets a little cocky, but after catching an edge and face-planting into the water he comes back down to earth. Mike does some fancy spins and inverts, and Chris carves through the cable park. But the ladies are the ones who dominate this day, and the boys leave in awe of their mad skills. *Petro Canada’s FACE athlete program (Fuelling Athlete and Coaching Excellence) provides equal funding to developing Olympic and Paralympic athletes and their coaches. The program provides 50 up-and coming pre-carded Olympic hopefuls with the resources necessary to pursue their dreams. For more information, click here.

Episode 18 of Project Adventure takes our boys to Thunder Bay, Ontario for an action-packed day on the largest freshwater lake in the world — Canada’s own Lake Superior. The boys meet Sail Superior’s Captain Greg Herioux and learn how to rescue a man overboard, before suiting up and setting sail. The tides are rough and the ship crashes through some high waves, reaching speeds of 8 – 10 entirely wind-fueled nautical miles. But that doesn’t stop Mike from climbing the mast during his first ever shroud walk. Then it’s off to Nipigon to explore uncharted territory with local surfer/ stand-up paddleboarder, Dawn Conci. Mike and Chris head to a small island on the off chance that they’ll find a coveted eagle feather… and they get lucky. It’s a great day in Thunder Bay! Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

The 17th installment of Project Adventure takes our boys on the ride of their lives as they saddle up for a unique summertime dogsledding excursion in Churchill, Manitoba. Lead by David Daley, an experienced trainer and co-founder of the Hudson’s Bay Quest, an annual dog sled race that spans over 330 kilometers, the boys tackle the tundra in specially designed sleds on wheels. And if that isn’t enough to get their blood pumping, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris head south to Falcon Beach Ranch for the biathlon experience. Keeping a rifle on a target while your heart’s pounding from a hard sprint seems nearly impossible, but Canadian biathlon Gillian Imrie, schools our boys and makes it look easy as pie. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 16 of Project Adventure follows our boys through Churchill, Manitoba, the Polar Bear and Beluga Whale Capital of the world. Before taking the plunge into Churchill River’s murky, yet mystical green waters, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris suit up in head-to-toe wetsuits and signature stripes. After rubbing elbows with dozens of great white whales, the boys dry off and meet up with polar bear tour guide Jean-Phillipe for a ride in a monstrous tundra buggy. Several hours and many wildlife photos later, they begin to wonder if they’ll ever see a polar bear. Then all of sudden, they’re surrounded! Don’t miss this epic episode full of Canada’s most exotic wildlife! Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

It’s episode 15 and we’re halfway through our epic Canada-wide road trip! On this episode of Project Adventure the boys start their day off with a visit to the Hudson’s Bay Winnipeg store after a good night’s sleep at a Hilton. Then it’s off to Selkirk’s Red River for some action packed catfish fishing with City Cats fishing company. Lead by Todd Longley, one of Manitoba’s premier anglers, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris learn how to bait and set a hook, and how to reel in a huge catch. To everyone’s surprise, the boys land three master anglers at once! “The fish are almost on spawn, and yet you got three big, big girls,” says Todd, amazed. Then the boys kiss their fish goodbye, and Ryan walks away with the City Cats Big Fish Award for landing a 37.5 inch channel catfish!

It’s Day 29 of our epic all-Canadian road trip! Follow our boys on their tour through Coronach, Saskatchewan’s Badlands, a place where fugitives once ran amuck. Lead by talented tour guide Trish Mansky, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris sift through the sand and dirt until they arrive at Castle Butte, a crumbling clay and sandstone structure that they just had to climb. 40-some vertical feet up, the boys decide to play a short-lived game of football (there isn’t much room to “go long”). Then it’s off to explore the depths of the outlaw caves, where the unsavory used to hide their stolen horses. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 13 of Project Adventure begins with a much needed oil change and RV servicing, then it’s off to the 101rst Calgary Stampede – Come Hell or High Water! Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris put on their signature white Stampede hats and head for the action. Just past the gates, the boys meet up with ‘Petro Canada FACE’ athlete and Olympic hopeful, Barrett Martineau, a member of the Canadian National skeleton team. With Barrett as their guide, the boys catch a glimpse of some of the Stampede’s finest attractions including the rodeo, motocross and the 36 chuck wagon GMC Rangeland Derby (whose winner receives $100,000 prize!). Then it’s off to Calgary’s Olympic Oval for a speed skating lesson with Olympians Ivanie Blondin and Denny Morrison. After countless wipeouts and a few races, the boys head back to the RV, trailing a hobbling, slightly injured Ryan.

It’s day 25 of our epic cross-country journey! The adventurers head east to visit the Hudson’s Bay Banff store and browse through some of the most coveted signature striped pieces. Then it’s off to Calgary to prepare for some serious wrangling. But before heading to the ranch, they stop at Hudson’s Bay Calgary store where they’re gifted white cowboy hats as part of Stampede tradition. Thanks to Levi’s, who outfitted our boys in denim from head to toe, Brent, Mike, Ryan and Chris arrive at the Lucasia Ranch in style. In true cowboy fashion, they grab their lassos and learn to rope cattle before saddling up their horses for some indescribably beautiful hacking through the hills. Watch as the friendly ranch owners Wayne & Judy Lucas give our city slickers a taste of some true grit.

On episode 11 of Project Adventure our journey continues in Banff, Alberta where the adventurers get up close and personal with a grizzly bear. Before embarking on Lake Louise’s signature hike up to The Devil’s Thumb, our boys check out Takakkaw Falls, Canada’s second highest waterfall measuring over 380 meters high. “One of the most intense waterfalls I’ve ever seen,” says Chris. Lead by their guide, the boys head up the mountain, towards The Devil’s Thumb with one motto in mind: “summit or plummet”. After enduring heat, snow, high altitudes and higher blood pressures, Brent, Mike, Ryan, Chris and guest adventurer Henry reach the peak, at last! Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

On day 16 of our adventurers’ epic road trip, the boys head to Lake Louise to walk a mile in the moccasins of a voyageur. On the way, looking at the picturesque scenery through the windows of the RV leads to temptation, and the boys pull over for a quick dip in a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. “It’s the stuff you only see in magazines,” says Mike. After meeting up with a most enthusiastic guide, Brent, Ryan, Mike and Chris throw on 90 lbs. voyageur packs, grab a paddle and go for a ride in an authentic chestnut Centennial Canoe. Mike takes a break from paddling to play a lick on a flute he bought in Jasper. “I was this close to tossing the flute overboard,” says Ryan. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

On this special Canada Day episode of Project Adventure, our boys head to Edmonton, Alberta for some prairie style entertainment. Getting there is half the fun as Chris, Ryan, Brent, Mike and guest adventurer Henry Baker hang a giant Canadian flag out the window and wave to patriotic passerby. Then Ryan gets a hot flash and coaxes the boys into stopping at a nearby lake for a quick dip. Chris describes the experience as “bad decision #38 of the trip”. But morale is at an all time high as the boys get back on the RV and head for Hudson’s Bay Edmonton store where they are greeted by the friendly staff with striped cake and smiles. Then it’s off to Edmonton International Raceway to take advantage of a rare opportunity: racing stock cars! 15 laps fly by leaving the boys with some incredible footage and some unforgettable material for their memoirs. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 8 of Project Adventure follows our boys through their most action packed day yet. They continue to explore some of Whistler’s highest peaks on two separate adventures, both as risky as they are thrilling. First, they straddle some powerful 500s and head up Brandywine Mountain for the “Top of the World” ATV tour. Lead by Christian, one of Whistler ATV’s finest guides, the boys power through the perilous terrain, knowing that if they were to stray from the trail they would end up in a hospital bed. Then it’s off to Ziptrek Ecotours where they take the “Eagle Tour” and soar through Whistler’s rainforest on a single cable. Based on their willingness to pose and flip upside down, guides Bjorn and Jen are more than comfortable showing Chris, Brent, Ryan, Mike and Henry how it’s really done. Spoiler alert: one of our adventurers has to be rescued! Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for our Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Our seventh installment of Project Adventure takes our boys to Whistler, BC where the friendly guides at Whistler Bungee dare them to look down before they leap. Standing on a bridge 160 ft over the glacial fed Cheakamus River, Chris, Mike, Brent, Ryan and guest adventurer Henry Baker contemplate re-reading the wavers they just signed. Some jump, others inch, but all of them manage to muster up the courage to take a leap of faith and entrust their lives to a single cord. One by one, they plummet towards the icy river, and we see looks of fear quickly turn into adrenaline, leaving the adventurers chock-full of joy. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for the Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 6 of Project Adventure follows our boys further north to the lush forests of Smithers, BC. As Mike, Brent, Ryan, Chris and special guest adventurer Henry Baker strap on their shin guards, helmets, facemasks and gloves, they brace themselves for a bumpy ride down Hudson’s Bay Mountain. One of McBike bike shops’ downhill mountain biking instructors gives the boys a full rundown of what to expect on their ride into the wild, but nothing aptly prepares them for the steep, slippery, jarring terrain. Spoiler alert: this episode contains more epic wipeouts than an episode of MXC. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for the Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 5 - Our epic journey across Canada continues in the fifth installment of Project Adventure! This episode takes our adventurers to Prince Rupert aboard the Northern Expedition, one of British Columbia Ferry Services’ largest ships. After catching a lucky glimpse of some Orca whales, the boys meet the captain and gain exclusive access to the ship’s upper bridge, where they are blown away by the sights and by the sheer force of the wind. After a 15-hour journey, Brent, Michael, Ryan and Chris set out to see some grizzly bears with the seasoned guides of Prince Rupert Adventure Tours. Being that close to grizzly bears is thrilling, but the highlight of the excursion is no doubt being in the thick of a swarm of bald eagles. “It’s absolutely incredible,” said Ryan. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled this summer for the Project Adventure striped RV, as it journeys to 49 indescribably beautiful Canadian destinations. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

Episode 1 - Day One! Downtown Vancouver! Our four adventurers finish packing up RV (their home for the Summer) and hit the road for their epic, cross-country tour. First stop: Pitt Meadows, BC. for a few BMX pointers from Canadian Olympian Tory Nyhaug.