Like a scene from Avatar, a crowd of people spent Wednesday afternoon flying with arms outstretched through old-growth cedar forests, and over crystal blue waters that wind through the deep canyons of the Upper Kennedy River.

Dangling from steel cables that crisscross the spectacular river canyon, both tourists and locals are flocking to the WestCoast Wild Zipline adventure park, which officially opened yesterday.

The zipline is a joint venture between Louis Roleau and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, who have used the area for hunting, fishing and sacred ceremonies for thousands of years.
Massive monumental Western Red Cedars line short bark mulch trails between zipline platforms.
The adventure park was originally scheduled to open a year ago with nine ziplines.

A winter storm wiped out three platforms after the water level rose an incredible 65-feet in the canyon, and crews were forced to rework the course higher up the canyon using a total of six
lines.

Some of the ziplines stretch for close to a quarter of a kilometer, as riders speed from perch to perch.

Local MLA Scott Fraser and MP James Lunney took part in the opening day events and spent the afternoon on the zipline course that cost a half-million to build over the past 18 months.

The WestCoast Wild Zipline is located halfway between Port Alberni and Ucluelet on Highway 4, a few kilometers east of Sutton Pass.

The zipline ride takes between 60 and 90 minutes and costs $120, with $7 going to Tla-o-qui-aht salmon enhancement programs.

Westcoast Wild also offers scenic flight and kayaking packages, and more information on their services can be found at http://www.wcwild.com/