Get ready for a wild ride, because Canada’s version of the iconic Jersey Shore is here, and it’s promising all the drama, laughter, and chaos you’ve come to expect—but with a uniquely Canadian twist. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about the parties and the fights; it’s about how a group of strangers becomes a family, no matter how dysfunctional. Meet P.A.’s own Tyler Swystun and Ethan Maynard, two of the 10 singles handpicked from a nationwide casting call to spend a no-holds-barred summer in Kelowna, B.C. While they might not be at the center of every scandal, they’re definitely in the mix—and they’ve got stories to prove it.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Swystun and Maynard describe their housemates as ‘pretty effed up individuals’ and even ‘psycho,’ but they also admit to finding beauty in the chaos. ‘We were the observers, laughing at ourselves,’ Swystun said, though he hinted at being pulled into the drama thanks to a certain someone. Maynard, known as ‘The Machine’ back home, earned new nicknames like ‘Rooster’ and ‘MILF Hunter’ on the show—a testament to his party-hosting résumé, which includes organizing events at universities nationwide. Swystun, meanwhile, is fresh off signing with the Ottawa Black Bears in the National Lacrosse League, proving these two are far from one-dimensional.
So, why did they sign up for this? Swystun credits his decision to stop second-guessing himself and embrace discomfort. ‘My life started changing when I stopped saying no to things I wasn’t comfortable with,’ he said. Maynard echoed this, adding, ‘Why wouldn’t you want to do something like this? Reality TV is out of everyone’s comfort zone, and that’s where the magic happens.’ He even jokingly referred to Swystun as a ‘golden retriever douchebag’—a term of endearment, of course.
Here’s the bold truth: reality TV fame comes with its fair share of online hate, but Swystun isn’t sweating it. ‘I can laugh off the hate comments,’ he said, though he joked he’ll warn his Grandma Pat to look away during certain scenes. Instead, he’s focused on the opportunities, like a surprising message from the WWE—yes, that WWE. Could he follow in the footsteps of Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, who went from Jersey Shore to WrestleMania? He’s not ruling it out.
Swystun also has his eyes on brand deals, particularly with companies he already loves, like HD Muscle. And let’s not forget his dream of becoming a bodybuilder. ‘Hopefully, I’ll make enough money to buy enough chicken,’ he quipped. Despite his travels for lacrosse and school, Swystun hasn’t forgotten his roots in Prince Albert. ‘Not a lot of people get this opportunity, especially from P.A.,’ he said. ‘My mom always says I have a horseshoe up my ass, but believing you can find yourself in a situation like this is huge.’
As for life after Kelowna? Swystun admits nothing beats the tranquility of northern Saskatchewan lakes—except, maybe, the bugs. ‘You can’t go on the lake without getting swarmed by horse flies or mosquitoes,’ he said. ‘These guys just have no idea.’
Canada Shore premieres on Discovery+ this Thursday, Jan. 22, and it’s sure to be a rollercoaster. But here’s the real question: Is reality TV still just mindless entertainment, or is there something deeper in how these shows bring people together? Let us know in the comments—we’re ready for the debate!
