A Calgary father and son who dreamed of competing on The Amazing Race Canada decided to create their own cross-country adventure after applying to the show four times without being selected. John van Roessel, 65, and his son Spencer, 23, have watched the series since it debuted in 2013. They applied to be contestants four times and were even shortlisted for last season, but not making the cut didn’t stop them from pursuing their dream. Instead, the pair designed their own trip inspired by the show, taking turns planning surprises for each other and revealing their next destinations and activities through envelopes containing clues. “At the beginning, we agreed we would head west, kind of to the West Coast, and then we would make our way all the way east,” Spencer van Roessel said. “Neither of us knew what the other one was doing, so we really had the surprise element, which made this trip so much more unique,” John said. Over 17 days in June, the pair visited eight provinces and one territory. Highlights included canoeing in the Yukon and experiencing the midnight sun. “It was almost the longest day of the year, so wandering around downtown Whitehorse at midnight when it’s still light out was just such a unique experience,” John said. Spencer’s favourite experience was taking a leap from Quebec’s highest bungee-jumping site. “Such a cool experience and so special to surprise my dad with that, especially on Father’s Day,” he said. Other stops included meeting an Elder at Alberta’s Kainai First Nation, touring Parliament Hill in Ottawa and hiking along the Northumberland Strait in Nova Scotia. The pair also visited Gimli, Man., which later appeared as a stop on the 2026 season of The Amazing Race Canada. “We went before the episode aired, so we had no idea. It was just a coincidence,” Spencer said. While the trip gave them an opportunity to explore Canada’s landscapes, history and diversity, both said spending time together was the most rewarding part. “I did concern myself with the fact that we could get on each other’s nerves, and never once. He was a great travelling companion,” John said. Although the two have always been close, they said the adventure strengthened their bond. “We’ve always shared the same sense of humour. We’ve always understood each other, but this really connected us,” Spencer said. The experience has only strengthened their determination to compete on the show. “I think those skills will help us a ton if we do get the chance of getting on The Amazing Race Canada,” Spencer said. The father and son plan to apply again this year and hope to embark on another adventure together soon.
