Tyler Turner’s next challenge does not start on snow, but in the cold waters of East Sooke Park.
The Campbell River Paralympic medallist is set to debut All In, an eight-part docuseries that follows him stepping into unfamiliar sports, with the opening episode filmed in Greater Victoria.
Turner, a double-amputee, recently served as co-captain for Canada at the Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games, where he earned a bronze medal in snowboard cross. The result marked his third Paralympic medal after winning gold and bronze in Beijing in 2022.
Turner said the idea behind the docuseries goes beyond competition.
“I wanted people to take some motivation from my pursuit of joy and happiness,” Turner told Sooke News Mirror. “It’s not even the activity that brings the joy. It’s the pursuit of that activity, the learning curve, the community.”
That approach is front and centre in the first episode, titled Freediving, which brings Turner to the waters off Greater Victoria to work with instructor Chris Adair.
Filmed in late November, Turner said the conditions delivered more than expected.
“We couldn’t have asked for more,” he said. “I was proud to show off the Island that I talk so much about. It just confirms exactly what we all think about it, especially around Victoria and Sooke, absolutely incredible above and under the water.”
The episode begins with breath control and static apnea before progressing into open water dives, building toward a final descent at East Sooke Park.
“As soon as things were difficult, whether that was because of my disability or just because of a new sport, not only was the guest right there for me, but then there would be people around just ready to jump up and help, and were excited to share their activity with me,” he said.
Across the series, that learning curve extends beyond sport.
“This was my first time being on the other side of the camera,” he said. “It was a massive learning curve, and I have so much respect now for people who are excellent at the craft.”
Turner has called Vancouver Island home for nearly 15 years and said the region’s year-round access to outdoor activity was a major draw. In addition to living in Campbell River, he attended North Island College and separately worked in Tofino.
“The biggest thing I saw is that I could go snowboarding in the morning, skateboarding on my lunch break, skydiving in the afternoon, and I could go fishing in the evening,” he said of what brought him to the Island from his roots in the Prairies.
That draw made Greater Victoria a natural starting point for the series, which has already been greenlit for a second season. With planning underway, Turner is encouraging the public to share ideas.
“If you have something cool or an amazing character, reach out, because I have added some activities to that list that I would have never thought of in a million years on my own,” he said.
Turner said one message carries through every episode.
“When folks say they’d be terrified to try something, that’s what you need to go do,” he said. “I see fear as an opportunity. There is so much opportunity with overcoming a challenge, adversity or hesitation, because that is where we find the most growth, and the pride and confidence that come from pushing through that fear are incredible.”
All In premieres May 14 on AMI+, following Turner as he trains alongside elite adaptive athletes across North America.
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