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Sport24 columnist Lindy Taverner (File)
Lindy Taverner
Every year the Banff Centre in Canada receives hundreds of entries from extreme sports filmmakers around the world. The best are chosen for a world tour, and fortunately for us, it’s screening here in SA at the end of the month.
I went last year and was blown away, and this year was even better. Technology, cameras and filming technique’s keep improving, as does sport equipment, so action keeps getting higher and faster and we get to watch it as though we are out there with them.
This year’s adrenaline filled mountain line-up includes insane mountain biking, fly fishing, caving, mountain expeditions and climbing, kayaking and downhill skateboarding.
There are very few people who aim to reach the outer limits of their sport like this, these extremists are purists really, and extremely focused on their goals.
There is a young kayaker that goes over the highest waterfalls I’ve ever seen anyone attempt; I’m still amazed he made it!
I was most impressed by the mountain climbing in this movie. “The Swiss machine” is a world champ speed climber destroying all records. I did a bit of research on climbers and discovered some interesting facts.
A mountaineer is very process oriented and achieves self transcendence and self knowledge from the act of climbing, and often exhibits a moral responsibility to the welfare of others. I believe they are more enjoyable to climb with in a group.
A summiteer on the other hand is very goal oriented, and gains affirmation from attainment of their goal, so it’s ‘get to the top and nothing stands in my way’. They can sometimes exhibit neglect of others and themselves, and ironically, often die on their descent, having expended all their energy reaching the summit. Now I understand why most summiteers are also base jumpers who then jump off the top!
Climbing boulders, rocks and mountains is more than completion of a difficult route; it is also about the completion of oneself. It sounds wistful, but is actually very true. You can see their determination and passion.
The overriding value of dangerous sports like these is escaping the limits we allow our minds to set for us. These sportsmen do it in a dramatic way, but I find it inspires me to challenge myself in small ways in my everyday life. I also wouldn’t mind running off on an expedition to an exotic location!
Lindy Taverner is the editor of the RUSH magazine that was based in the Eastern Cape and recently relocated to Cape Town. Previous issues and updated extreme sport news can be found on her site www.whatarush.co.za
Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.
From the movie 'Tuzgle' (Julien Nadiras)
From the movie 'The Swiss Machine' (File)
Every year the Banff Centre in Canada receives hundreds of entries from extreme sports filmmakers around the world. The best are chosen for a world tour, and fortunately for us, it’s screening here in SA at the end of the month.
I went last year and was blown away, and this year was even better. Technology, cameras and filming technique’s keep improving, as does sport equipment, so action keeps getting higher and faster and we get to watch it as though we are out there with them.
This year’s adrenaline filled mountain line-up includes insane mountain biking, fly fishing, caving, mountain expeditions and climbing, kayaking and downhill skateboarding.
There are very few people who aim to reach the outer limits of their sport like this, these extremists are purists really, and extremely focused on their goals.
There is a young kayaker that goes over the highest waterfalls I’ve ever seen anyone attempt; I’m still amazed he made it!
I was most impressed by the mountain climbing in this movie. “The Swiss machine” is a world champ speed climber destroying all records. I did a bit of research on climbers and discovered some interesting facts.
A mountaineer is very process oriented and achieves self transcendence and self knowledge from the act of climbing, and often exhibits a moral responsibility to the welfare of others. I believe they are more enjoyable to climb with in a group.
A summiteer on the other hand is very goal oriented, and gains affirmation from attainment of their goal, so it’s ‘get to the top and nothing stands in my way’. They can sometimes exhibit neglect of others and themselves, and ironically, often die on their descent, having expended all their energy reaching the summit. Now I understand why most summiteers are also base jumpers who then jump off the top!
Climbing boulders, rocks and mountains is more than completion of a difficult route; it is also about the completion of oneself. It sounds wistful, but is actually very true. You can see their determination and passion.
The overriding value of dangerous sports like these is escaping the limits we allow our minds to set for us. These sportsmen do it in a dramatic way, but I find it inspires me to challenge myself in small ways in my everyday life. I also wouldn’t mind running off on an expedition to an exotic location!
Lindy Taverner is the editor of the RUSH magazine that was based in the Eastern Cape and recently relocated to Cape Town. Previous issues and updated extreme sport news can be found on her site www.whatarush.co.za
Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.
From the movie 'Tuzgle' (Julien Nadiras)
From the movie 'The Swiss Machine' (File)
