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VIDEO: B.C. man builds backyard obstacle course for 㽶ƵֱAmerican Ninja Warrior㽶Ƶֱ-style event

Langley man was inspired by television show to build tribute

An avid fan of the 㽶Ƶֱ㽶Ƶֱ television show has built his own tribute to the challenging obstacle courses featured on the show, in the backyard of his Langley home.

Now, the homemade obstacles constructed by Tristan Kasmer have become the scene for a smaller-scale challenge, the 㽶ƵֱBackyard Ninja Invitational.㽶Ƶֱ

On Sunday (June 9), about 30 people, most of them kids, will take on the course, climbing and jumping around and over an array of obstructions.

It will mark the second time that Tristan and his wife Brandi have hosted the event.

Running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. it will start with a special non-competitive event for the youngest kids, the 㽶Ƶֱlittles㽶Ƶֱ for two- to three-year-olds, then rising through the age categories until the adults tackle the course.

It is designed so that the degree of difficulty can be dialed down for young competitors, then up.

The first year the event was held, only one person was injured, and that was an adult who suffered a muscle pull while warming up, Brandi said.

㽶ƵֱWe have mats, and mattresses, to ensure that no one is hurt,㽶Ƶֱ she noted.

Participants are also required to sign a waiver.

Brandi said the appeal of the sport is is the degree of athleticism it requires.

㽶ƵֱIts about how well you can manage your own body,㽶Ƶֱ she explained.

㽶ƵֱIf you miss a grip, you have to react without falling.㽶Ƶֱ

Based on the number of online postings, there are many backyard obstacle courses in the U.S., but Brandi doesn㽶Ƶֱt know of any in Canada except the one that occupies her own back yard.

Tristan said it started with 㽶Ƶֱa few bars and a few grips㽶Ƶֱ and grew over several years, inspired by the television show.

㽶ƵֱI just wanted to train,㽶Ƶֱ he said.

㽶ƵֱI thought that [the obstacle courses on the show] looked like fun. I thought other guys are doing their own courses [and posting video clips online], so I might as well built my own stuff.㽶Ƶֱ

It helped, he said, that his home is on a typically big Brookswood site.

Tristan said his design doesn㽶Ƶֱt attempt to duplicate the elaborate, giant-sized challenges of the television show, but it does aim to recreate the intensity, within reason.

㽶ƵֱThey have a huge budget and I have a few dollars, so [I thought] what can I build, realistically, with the materials I㽶Ƶֱve got,㽶Ƶֱ 㽶Ƶֱ he said.

Filling up most of the yard, the obstacle course describes an 㽶ƵֱS㽶Ƶֱ curve of challenges ranging in difficulty from rings and grips, to a climbing wall and a section of oddly-angled tree stumps that require careful stepping, just to name just a few.

㽶ƵֱI try to include as much of the back yard as I can,㽶Ƶֱ he said.

Portions of the obstacle course are taller than the first storey of the family house.

There is a Facebook page devoted to the Langley event that can found by searching for 㽶Ƶֱ.㽶Ƶֱ

Information can also be obtained by emailing tristankasmer@gmail.com.

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Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com

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Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I㽶Ƶֱm the guy you㽶Ƶֱll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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