Kevin Lewis has been carving since he was a kid in the Comox Valley.

HeB次元官网网址檚 been in Fort St. John of late, at the High on Ice Winter Festival with fellow carver Ryan Cook, whoB次元官网网址檚 known for competing all over in carving competitions and appearing on TV shows such as Carver Kings.

Lewis got his first chainsaw at age 11 and has been logging since he was a teenager. He has been chainsaw carving since 1996.

He and Cook are honoured to represent Team B.C. in the National Ice-Carving Championships as part of the annual Winterlude festival in Ottawa and Gatineau.

B次元官网网址淚ce is a very beautiful medium,B次元官网网址� says Cook. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a very fun, expensive habitB次元官网网址�. You can create anything.B次元官网网址�

RELATED STORY:

RELATED STORY:

The two have known each other for some time, and Lewis says they work together really well. Their task was in 20 hours to create an Olympic and Paralympic-themed ice sculpture, and they are hoping to garner votes from all over B.C. between Feb. 11 and 20 to best the competition from across Canada.

B次元官网网址淩yan came up with an amazing idea,B次元官网网址� says Lewis.

CookB次元官网网址檚 concept took inspiration from Sidney CrosbyB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址榞olden goalB次元官网网址� in Vancouver at the 2010 Olympics.

B次元官网网址淚t was such a great moment,B次元官网网址� Cook says.

For the Paralympics, he chose sledge hockey player Billy Bridges, and as part of their research, the two contacted Bridges, who was excited about the idea.

The two made a 3D carving that included themes such as a maple leaf next to Crosby. All of these ideas Cook had mapped out in advance, so the two could work their way quickly through the project.

B次元官网网址淩yan had every step written out,B次元官网网址� Lewis says.

The project was no small task. The pair worked with 15 blocks of ice, each weighing about 300 pounds, that they had to set into place. They had to battle both time and the elements. The weather, in particular, turned out to be a challenge and cut into the time they had to work on the second and final day. TheyB次元官网网址檇 been challenged with high winds, then had to watch the temperature rise from -16C to 4C, which meant they couldnB次元官网网址檛 quite finish all of the details on the sculpture. The weather also forced a location change.

As much fun as the ice can be, Cook adds it can prove difficult.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a very unforgiving medium,B次元官网网址� he says.

A few details aside, the two are pleased with their work. Now, Lewis and Cook are hoping people in the province show their spirit at a time when itB次元官网网址檚 needed and get online to support their creation.

B次元官网网址淚t all comes down to voting,B次元官网网址� says Cook. B次元官网网址淚 want to show everybody that B.C. is B次元官网网址楤.C. Strong.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

To see the sculptures and vote, see

mike.chouinard@comoxvalleyrecord.com
Like us on and follow us on .