Daredevil gets thumbs up for Niagara Falls tightrope walk

World-renowned daredevil Nik Wallenda has been given the okay to cross over the famous Niagara Falls on a tightrope. It's a feat that officials say they'll only allow once in a generation. Seamus O'Regan on what makes this stuntman rise above the rest.

CTV Toronto: Daredevil to cross Niagara gorge

Andria Case reports on Nik Wallenda - a tightrope walker who has finally gained approval to walk across the Niagara Falls.

CTV News Channel: Walking over the falls

Daredevil Nik Wallenda shares his reaction to receiving the approval to walk over Niagara Falls on a tightrope and explains why this has been a lifelong dream of his.

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Daredevil Nik Wallenda has received approval to walk over Niagara Falls on a tightrope.

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Growing up near the Falls, the idea of getting close to the water or falling in always makes my stomach flip. Worst fear. I can't fathom wanting to walk across it, just the idea of watching this man do that makes me feel ill.

Samantha

Commission approves Niagara Falls tightrope crossing

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Daredevil gets thumbs up for Niagara Falls tightrope walk

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CTVNews.ca Staff

Date: Wed. Feb. 15 2012 7:37 PM ET

Tightrope walker Nik Wallenda will finally realize his dream of walking across Niagara Falls this summer after he received approval for the stunt Wednesday.

The Niagara Parks Commission board gave Wallenda the go-ahead during a public meeting, after initially denying the daredevil's request in December.

The board is allocating 45 days to work out the details of the event, including a date for the walk.

Wallenda, 32, had been aiming for a date in July or August but the commission is looking at June, before the busy tourist season begins.

A study suggests live television coverage of the event could generate up $120 million in revenue for the Niagara region.

Wallenda, who bills himself as "King of the high wire," said Wednesday that people the world over have been watching his efforts to get permission for the stunt.

He said that while he has completed tightrope walks that were higher up and covered a longer distance, Niagara Falls has a special appeal because it's a historic site.

"My family's been doing this for over 200 years and seven generations, and I'm carrying on a legacy," the descendent of the famous circus performers The Flying Wallendas, told CTV News Channel on Wednesday.

"This has been a dream of mine ever since I was about 6 years old, to walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope."

After the board denied Wallenda's request in December, he met with Ontario Tourism Minister Michael Chan to tout his plan.

Wallenda then met with senior staff of the Parks Commission, which had cited its policy against stunts for originally turning him down.

The board said Wednesday it will only consider requests for such stunts once every 20 years.

Janice Thomson, chairwoman of the Niagara Parks Commission, said Wallenda provided additional information including the assurance that he had the proper safety measures in place.

"This decision was approved in part in recognition of the role that stunting has played in the history and promotion of Niagara Falls," said Thomson.

"We have made it clear that this is a very unique one-time situation. It's not an everyday activity and will not be allowed to become an everyday activity."

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

J.L.T
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It had said in a previous article that he was going to have a safety harness attached to the tight rope, so if he falls he won't be falling right into the water. He is a professional, so knows the necessary precautions to take as well as all the risks.

NS Guy
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@Richard: I think you said the opposite of what you meant. Perhaps you intended the word "forbid" instead of "condone"? To quote Enigo Montoya "I do not think that word means what you think it means . . ." In light of that, I'm not sure what the 14 people who have given your comment a thumbs up mean either now. Have a nice day :-)

Really don't care !
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That's not entertainment.... It's a total fool showing off... Why not get a job and do something usful with your life buddy ??

MJ
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Yep here we go again... someone else trying to either make a very fast buck, or just plain kill himself. Let's see what the outcome will be.

Dixie from Alberta
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OK just as long as the government doesn't have to pay for body retrieval if he falls in.

Pablito from ssauga
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What's with the board only considering stunts like this every 20 years? What difference does it make how often a stunt can be performed? That's ridiculous.

Good luck with the stunt buddy! I wonder if he gets paid for being a psycho!

John Lethbridge
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What an idiot. Move about one block from the falls, and the city mostly reduces to a pathetic and classless freakshow. I suppose this will merely bring the freakshow right to the falls.

Tim
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I think you mean *condemn, Richard. Condone means to accept or support, which is exactly what happened here.

Richard
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If we condone everything where death could be the worst result then there would not be much left to watch.ie all dangerous sports( downhill skiing,motor racing,luge,don't forget evil knievel

Samantha
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