Daniel Boria, the lawn chair balloonist who tried to land himself in the middle of the 2015 Calgary Stampede, was unrepentant as he was fined $26,500 Friday after a judge called his stunt “unconscionably stupid.” Boria went outside court and in an assumed Boston accent mimicked John Kennedy’s speech when he said the US would go to the moon not because it was easy, but because it was difficult. Boria said: “Why climb the highest mountain? Why 85 years ago fly the Atlantic? Why do the Oilers play the Flames? I chose to fly a chair; not because it is easy but because it is hard. Because that goal served to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills.” he said. Boria’s scheme to land at the Stampede fell apart as his uncontrolled flight took him high enough to threaten jets landing at Calgary airport. He spoke of looking down at 747s. Finally, however he had to parachute from the lawn chair. He thumped down far from the arena and injured his ankle. His intention was to promote his cleaning business. The fine will go to charity.
