Hunt Jennings, a sponsored professional kayaker from Chattanooga, Tenn., surprised dozens of onlookers Thursday by tumbling over a raging Minnehaha Falls in south Minneapolis and emerging from the raging creek relatively unscathed.

Minneapolis park officials later called it "an irresponsible publicity stunt," adding that "it is our experience that a trip over the falls almost always results in serious injury or death."

"We are deeply concerned that this act and subsequent publicity will inspire others to attempt the same feat," said Dawn Sommers, a spokeswoman for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. "The impact of the drop, the large boulders at the base of the Falls, the deep water and fast current could easily injure or kill a kayaker."