Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Autumn Escape
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Autumn Escape
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / 88-year-old Shuswap thrill seeker fulfills wish to soar in a paraglider

John “Jack” Bryce and Brad Murphy of Revelstoke Paragliding soar over Revelstoke together on Saturday, Oct. 9. The flight was how John chose to celebrate his 88th birthday. (Contributed)

88-year-old Shuswap thrill seeker fulfills wish to soar in a paraglider

October 22, 2021 //  by Lachlan Labere

Share this:

For his 88th birthday, John “Jack” Bryce jumped off a mountain and spent an exhilarating 40 minutes paragliding over Revelstoke.

“It was something I always wanted to do. I really enjoyed it, it was great,” said Bryce who, when not living in North Bay, Ont., resides with his son Shawn Bryce and his family at White Lake near Salmon Arm.

Accompanying John on his Oct. 9 flight, the day after his birthday, from about 6,000 vertical feet (7,300-feet above sea level) was Revelstoke Paragliding’s Brad Murphy, who was impressed by his fellow flyer’s passion for living life.

“This one was just very special – this guy, he was in the armed forces, he was a paratrooper who had a dream to go paragliding and at 88…,” Murphy said.

Born in 1933 on Staten Island, NY, John said he volunteered for the draft during the Korean War, and trained as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division. His only time jumping out of planes occurred during training as the conflict ended before he could be deployed. He said that background may have contributed to his desire to give paragliding a try.

READ MORE: Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s pipe coaster opening June 4

Heights have never been a concern for John.

“I worked on a high line – when I was young and crazy and desperate for money I worked one year climbing those poles, power transmission poles, I did that, so I’m not afraid of heights,” reflected John, who joked he may change his nickname to “Jack the Eagle.”

John worked as an industrial electrician for years before teaching electrical apprenticeships.

“My son right here was one of my first students, and my grandson is taking electrical apprenticeship,” John said.

Shawn and his family were present for John’s flight.

“I was proud of him – it was amazing,” Shawn said. “He’s very safety conscious but, whether he knows it or not, he’s definitely a thrill seeker.

“I’ll be honest, I wasn’t worried at all because the gentleman who was doing it did so much safety work at the time, just a complete explanation of how everything goes.”

John was also grateful for Murphy’s guidance and company during their tandem flight.

“He joked a lot and he said, halfway down, ‘how’s your stomach?’ I said my stomach is fine. He said are you into some fun? I said sure,” said John. “So we did a couple of loops and turns and twists – you name it, we did it. It was excellent. We had my family down below waiting for us and they saw the whole thing.”

Reluctant to join his dad on the flight, Shawn was inspired and is thinking of giving paragliding a try. John too has plans to return to Revelstoke for another flight.

“I want to do it in the summer when it’s a little bit warmer,” he said.

John “Jack” Bryce and Brad Murphy of Revelstoke Paragliding soar over Revelstoke together on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. The flight was how John chose to celebrate his 88th birthday. (Contributed)

READ MORE: X Games medallist brings Revelstoke to the big screen – snowbike style!

Murphy admitted to feeling anxious about flying with the 88-year-old thrill-seeker, but at the same time said everything just seemed to line up, from that being his 87th flight, to the weather conditions which, on the day of the outing with John, went from concerning to perfect.

“When we drove up mountain we couldn’t see the valley,” said Murphy, noting recent snowfall made the drive alone a concern. “All of a sudden, we got to the top of the mountain and everything opened up. We had about an hour and a half window where it was safe to fly. So everything worked out perfect for us.”

To anyone considering giving paragliding a try, John’s advice is to go for it.

“It’s not hard at all,” said John. “They won’t be sorry they did it. It’s a lifetime experience.”

READ MORE: The Happy Hiker, Art Lengkeek, recognized with bench and plaque on Mount Cheam trail

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Adrenaline, British Columbia Destinations, Canada, Okanagan Getaways, Outdoors and Recreation, Salmon Arm, Shuswap, WCT Intro

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

5 fun ways to celebrate the 2023 Calgary Stampede!

Touted as the ‘Greatest Show on Earth,’ the 2023 Calgary Stampede celebration promises to be…

5 fun ways to celebrate the 2023 Calgary Stampede!Read More

Ticket to ride: Southern California theme parks roll out new attractions for summer

By Pam Kragen, The San Diego Union-Tribune And they’re off. Theme park season is officially…

Ticket to ride: Southern California theme parks roll out new attractions for summerRead More

2 kokanee lake fisheries come to Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island anglers no longer need to travel to the B.C. Mainland to fish for…

2 kokanee lake fisheries come to Vancouver IslandRead More

Chilliwack Mural Festival returns bigger, bolder in its 3rd year

The Chilliwack Mural Festival is going to be bigger, bolder and more beautiful than ever…

Chilliwack Mural Festival returns bigger, bolder in its 3rd yearRead More

Victoria International Airport increases accessibility with autism resource kit

The Victoria International Airport is increasing accessibility with the launch of an autism resource kit.…

Victoria International Airport increases accessibility with autism resource kitRead More

Visiting Mount St. Helens is inspiring and alarming all at once

‘This is it.’ In March 1980, Washington’s Mount St. Helens rumbled awake. A series of…

Visiting Mount St. Helens is inspiring and alarming all at onceRead More

Guided June hikes explore old-growth forests in seven Kootenay communities

Wildsight, a non-profit working to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities, is offering guided walks…

Guided June hikes explore old-growth forests in seven Kootenay communitiesRead More

Parks Canada plans major rewrite of more than 200 historic site plaques

They’re affixed to old buildings where someone important used to live. Or they’re mounted on…

Parks Canada plans major rewrite of more than 200 historic site plaquesRead More

Victoria International Airport welcomes new airline with Friday Harbor route

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) has welcomed a new airline. Kenmore Air now provides the only…

Victoria International Airport welcomes new airline with Friday Harbor routeRead More

Previous Post: « Explore Fort Edmonton’s new Indigenous Peoples Experience through Dec. 19
Next Post: Juneau’s Seawalk wins design award »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

5 fun ways to celebrate the 2023 Calgary Stampede!

June 7, 2023

Ticket to ride: Southern California theme parks roll out new attractions for summer

June 7, 2023

2 kokanee lake fisheries come to Vancouver Island

June 6, 2023

Chilliwack Mural Festival returns bigger, bolder in its 3rd year

June 6, 2023

Recent Posts

5 fun ways to celebrate the 2023 Calgary Stampede!

June 7, 2023

Ticket to ride: Southern California theme parks roll out new attractions for summer

June 7, 2023

2 kokanee lake fisheries come to Vancouver Island

June 6, 2023

Chilliwack Mural Festival returns bigger, bolder in its 3rd year

June 6, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved