All smiles as Tyler Eklund returns to Bachelor’s half-pipe

It’s been almost a decade since a snowboarding accident left Bend resident Tyler Eklund paralyzed. Since then, his story has inspired many in Central Oregon.

Ever since his accident, Eklund has wanted to return to his favorite event: the half-pipe. It’s been a goal of his for years, and now it’s another accomplishment he can check off his list.

Kendall Cook is on the board of Oregon Adaptive Sports, and has been helping Eklund ski for the past eight years.

“People with Tyler’s level of injury aren’t typically doing this,” Cook said. “So for Tyler to have the trust in me and the courage to come up and do this is really inspiring.”

Eklund has been using a custom-made sit-ski on the slopes, but has been waiting for perfect weather and snow conditions to use the half-pipe.

He said the snow and weather conditions were ideal Sunday.

After the run, his father, Mike Eklund, admitted he was nervous, but also excited to see his son doing what he loves.

“It’s my son, and I’ll do anything for him,” he said. “So if he wants to do it, we’ll do it. It’s a lot of effort to put in, to coordinate everything to make it happen, but usually we do. We make it happen, and it puts a big smile on his face.”

“It was super-fun,” Tyler Eklund said after the run. “It’s still shocking that I did it. It brought back a lot of memories.”

Eklund made just one run on Sunday, but said there will be more in the future.