Ed Lucero running Alexandra Falls Click on photo to check out Ed's photo gallery.

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Editor's Note: Legendary paddler Ed Lucero has been setting standards in whitewater kayaking for years. Whether it's knocking off a first descent, appearing in the latest extreme kayak video, or designing industry leading gear, there's no question his abilities and unique style continue to leave lasting impressions on the sport. His recent plunge off Canada's 105.6-foot Alexandra Falls grabbed everyone's attention, so we caught up to him and asked him a few questions.

WD: So you knocked off Canada's 105.6 ft Alexandra Falls. What made you want to try that?

I looked just right. I wanted to push my limits. It felt like the right time and place. It was an intense experience. I wanted to make a visual statement on overcoming fear.

A large part of running Alexandra falls was also a peacefull protest against war...hence the flower shirt. Flower power...humans overcome fear. We evolve and change.

WD: What went through your head while paddling up to the horizon line of Alexandra Falls?

I was reacting as I sped up. My attention was very focused on the moment. I watched my line and maintained balance and flow. I did have time to think on the way down.

WD: Do you remember what you were thinking about on the way down?

Yes. I was thinking how serene it felt to be light. I remember waiting for impact, noticing how a few seconds wait.

WD: What was the impact like?

Sha Sha Sha Shatter Ed...I felt a shock wave bell ring. I saw stars and heard a loud tone.

WD: What kind of safety did you set up for it?

Pro kind.

WD: So how does this fit into the whole unofficial world record plunge picture (i.e drops by Tao Berman, Tim Gross, etc)?

Who knows what's been off that waterfall or others for that matter. I don't. People have been gathering by waterfalls for as long as we have been probably. Were all so good at kayaking so fast...who knows maybe we've done it before? I don't know and that's all I'm sayin. Now we have digital memory and are out watching.

WD: Would you do it again?

With a specialized Kayak specific to high impact waterfalls...Hummmm-maybe-I am pretty certain I'll be running wild drops for the rest of my life. I have run my highest volume vertical drop. I am glad to have the memory and smile. I would not risk another impact like that.

WD: What other memorable big drops have you done? How about first descents?

First decents...like I said who knows...we've only just started to pay attention to these things in my eyes. I will say the Guadalupe in the Jemez mountains of NM and Smith falls here in North Idaho stand out in my memory.

WD: What, in your opinion, is the lure of the big drops?

Big lines. It's amazing to visualize your line and then make it real. You see it then you do it. That feels satisfying.

WD: What do you say to people who think you're just plain nuts?

Hello?

WD: What's the scariest experience you've had paddling?

It's never scary 'till after the incident has passed. Once I penciled in on a 60' falls and didn't get where I needed to be to exit a room of doom. I was in a hurry to set up safety because the location was out of bounds. The rescue haul line got miscommunicated. I was lucky my rescue crew had a back up throw rope on hand. I was underwater for along time. I remember air managment.

WD: You designed a PFD for Stohlquist that is said to be the ultimate in protection for intense paddlers. How did that come about? What has the response been?

I designed a rescue vest for myself after breaking my ribs on Casanova Falls in Ecuador. Stohlquist approached me about making the vest at a Loaded Gun film premire in Crested Butte, CO. The vest was very specialized and pretty expensive to build. We did great in a small niche.