British Columbia Experience has brought some of the magical highlights of the Winter 2010 Olympics held in Canada to the San Francisco Bay Area for an 11-day show.

Thursday's opening day was a beautiful one at Justin Herman Plaza at the Embarcadero Center in downtown San Francisco. Blue skies, soft breezes, and temperatures in the sixties brought tourists as well as Financial District workers outdoors to sit or stroll.

Once there no one could miss the excitement generated by the 680-foot ziplines suspended across the plaza or the media gathered to interview Olympic Gold-medallists Shani Davis, American speed skater and Ashleigh McIvor, Canadian ski cross racer. Davis said he "spoke from his heart" about the cherished friendships he made during the year he lived in BC before the Olympics. He added, "It's an incredibly diverse place with great restaurants, sites and events year round."

McIvor also spoke of the range of activities available year-round in British Columbia. "I grew up skiing and surfing in BC." She added that she now has "had the opportunity to compete around the world," but "nothing beats the resorts in BC." After their brief remarks the duo kicked off the festivities by doing the zipline and then signing autographs for fans. 

Nor were artistic elements missing, the Aboriginal dance group, Le-La-La, gave live dance performances at noon and 5 PM, and Kurt Wenner was absorbed in creating a 3-D mural of British Columbia.

The Le-La-La dancers bring traditional dances from the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation of northern Vancouver Island. Kurt Wenner, the "Inventor of 3D Street Painting The Original Chalk Illusions," is creating an art installation beneath the zipline that will measure approximately 16 feet by 50 feet and that will give "flyers" the opportunity to see British Columbia's scenery from a unique perspective.

This writer has to admit to some nervousness about doing the zipline. As I climbed the 101 metal steps up to the launch pad, my mouth got drier and drier. As I stood waiting my turn, I noticed my legs were trembling a bit — and it wasn't just because of the climb. But there I was, waiting for the final safety check by Ziptrek Ecotours' staff, and getting ready to take the final two steps forward before I jumped off into the air above the crowds. It was awesome; next time I may even do a few somersaults on the way across.

Those who want to try the zipline in San Francisco will find the process for registration much easier than those at the Olympics did. At times, crowds in Vancouver found that they had to stand in line several hours to have a shot at the experience. Here in S.F., registrants will be given a wristband with a specific time for their flight.

This is all part of the free British Columbia Experience continuing until April 18th. Event sponsors of course hope to entice San Francisco Bay Area to experience British Columbia first hand. Considering that BC is only a two-hour flight away, that's not a bad idea!

Event details:
Dates: Thursday, April 8 - Sunday, April 18th, 2010. 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
Zipline: Free, 680 ft. Urban Zipline: Open to the Public
Note: There are no age restrictions, but guests must weigh more than 65 pounds and no more than a maximum of 275 pounds. 
Art: includes Interactive Video Display and 3D Art Installation.
Dance: Performances by the Le-La-La Dancers, April 8th - April 11th at 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM
Location: Justin Herman Plaza at Embarcadero Square, San Francisco, California. One block from the Embarcadero BART Station.