He certainly stands out in a sport dominated by burly North Americans, Aussies, Kiwis, Norwegians and Swedes.
With absolutely no experience, almost no training, and zero knowledge in the world of loggers sports, Korean television star Duok Ko will try his luck at three different events in the novice loggers show at Squamish Days Loggers Sports on Saturday afternoon (July 31).
Why, you ask?
"I've never even seen this sport so I want to introduce this unique sport and part of Canadian culture to the people of Korea," said Ko through an interpreter.
Ko and a three-person crew are here to film Ko's first-ever attempt at log rolling, tree climbing and the chokerman's race to be used on a Korean television program called 'Challenges All Over the World.'
The program introduces Koreans to different sports and cultures from other countries in the world, as male and female TV personalities tackle challenges by immersing themselves in them. Ko has played soccer with the Argentineans, lived with traditional African tribespeople and has travelled to Australia and New Zealand to experience a variety of sports.
He is in Squamish to see what loggers sports is all about, and to try his best in the events that he has chosen personally to compete in. On Wednesday morning, Ko spent plenty of time getting soaked in the birling pond learning how to log roll and run across the logs for the chokerman's race. On Thursday, Ko learned the ups and downs of tree climbing.
Local participant Armand Hurford ran him through some training paces in preparation for Saturday's events, and thinks he'll do just fine.
"It's a bit of a crash course," said Hurford. "The log rolling will be hard but he'll do okay. He's definitely got a good attitude about it."
Ko's just hoping his positive attitude can make up for his lack of experience in these technical and physically demanding events.
"I can do it," he said.
Ko and the rest of the crew will also take in a toonie mountain bike race on Wednesday night, and will check out the World Championship chair carving and hopefully participate in the bed races."It's beautiful here. We're having a great time."
It's not the first time Squamish Days Loggers Sports has basked in the glow of national and international media exposure. In recent years Squamish Days Loggers Sports has been highlighted on the Outdoor Life Network's "Lumberjacks" series, TSN, the United Kingdom's Channel 4 and Michael Palin's "Around the World With Michael Palin".
