Highway To The Safer Zone
Written by Esther Smith
When I was in high school and Sports Day came along, one of my teachers suggested I enter the relay race and another teacher said, “Knowing Esther, she’ll run backwards” — she was right: I’m not exactly the definition of sporty.
In fact, I’m so unsporty I broke my ankle falling off a curb the other week. Yes, you heard that right: I’m currently writing this with my foot wrapped in an icepack and elevated on a mountain (of pillows) — how on earth are you expecting me to participate in basic sports, let alone extreme sports, with my level of clumsiness?
But there’s something about sport documentaries, particularly the ones with extreme risks. I’m interested in what makes these people tick; strive to beat records; put their body through enormous stress to prove themselves. While these documentaries answer the why of their actions, I think about the logistics, the risks, and the consequences of these actions. Yes, it’s heartwarming to watch athletes achieve their dreams but it’s not just their lives on the line, there’s other repercussions we’ve got to address.
Impact on family
There’s a new joke circling the internet right now: a man will have a loving family at home and will leave them behind to put his life at risk — there’s a reference to it on r/Bluey, you know, the subreddit about the children’s TV show.
The reality is tragedy doesn’t just stop at the loss of a life, it seeps into their family and loved ones. It is reported that between 2000 and 2016, there were just under 1000 deaths from extreme sports in Australia alone, while another report stated “the deadliest sport is base jumping with 1 in 2,317 jumps resulting in death”.
Torn (2021) explores how a family is able to rebuild after the loss of a father when mountaineer Alex Lowe is killed during an avalanche. His climbing partner and best friend, Conrad Anker, soon married widow Jenni Lowe and helped raise her children and the family were able to lean on each other during this difficult period. With Torn, director and son, Max Lowe, provided himself and his family the space to reflect on the events, as well as the journey they took to heal their pain.
If you’re afraid of heights, you may want to stay clear of rooftopping videos — but this couple can’t get enough of the dizzying sport in Skywalkers: A Love Story (2024). Following climbing couple Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, the audience sees when their safety is called into question, how it impacts their relationship — and their job. They walk the fine line between adrenaline and tragedy, but their thoughts on retirement come from having no more high buildings to climb rather than the risk as they express how freeing rooftoping is for them.
What if you witnessed your partner free-solo climbing a mountain, knowing one mistake could be it? Sanni McCandless knows exactly how that feels as she was there when Alex Honnold climbed El Capitan and the events were documented in Free Solo (2018). During this period, McCandless recounted how Honnold “was worried their relationship would get in the way of his climbing and that he needed to choose: love or greatness”, in the end, they were able to choose both.
Impact on crew
As an audience, we’re on the edge of our seats for the documentary’s subject, but there’s a whole team accompanying them. Film crews will need additional skills and experience in these environments; the work-life balance conversation means something entirely different when your life is on the line.
Many filmmakers and photographers are aware of the dangers, stating that they’re doing “risk management every day, minute by minute”, and to take the analytical approach when facing challenges — but if you’re used to controlled environments, the weather may still surprise you, or perhaps the wildlife. Wingsuit cameraman James Boole had to prioritise the footage over his own flight path in 2019 — but it’s not always that risky for the cinematographers. For Orlando Bloom: On The Edge (2024), Doug Glover details the training and rehearsing for elaborate shots, but noted how plans can change and your window of getting the perfect shot shrinks.
MAJI (2024) documents Leo Gripari’s quest to undertake five physical challenges in five countries to raise funds for sustainable water projects — I caught up with the team about their experience and they said safety “was a top priority throughout filming”, detailing further: “For each location, we worked closely with trusted local fixers who provided crucial insight into the terrain, environmental conditions, and cultural context. This allowed us to plan appropriately and mitigate risks. Additionally, Leo consulted with local athletes and guides for each challenge — their expertise helped us with route planning, logistical coordination, and real-time decision-making. This approach meant we could remain agile and informed while capturing the story safely and respectfully.”
KOPALA (2024) follows Krister Kopala as he prepares for his first descent down Norway’s Kvænangen mountains. When I asked Krister about the journey, he said, “Safety is always the number one factor for me, if there are things I can’t control that involve high consequences I don’t see the point of continuing”. He went on to explain how safety played a vital role in the film: “Vetle who filmed the whole project had a good vision on how he wanted to shoot the whole project, and with good help from Hugh creating an atmosphere during our trip. When we were out shooting in the mountains, the film crew camped on a safe spot and filmed the action. There were a couple of times where the risks were too high, and that's where I turned around. It happened three times during the period where I tried to ride the line.”
Now, dear reader, if this is something that is lighting a fire in your soul, I’m happy to say you can learn how to combine your adrenaline seeking with filmmaking: there’s courses on adventure filmmaking from University of Wales, London College of Foreign Trade, and elvtr — there’s also blog sites and interviews with photographers to help you choose the right gear.
Impact on environment & local communities
Standing on top of the world comes at a hefty price and no, I’m not talking about money. While this extreme sport can bring fame, glory, and an undeniable sense of accomplishment, the reality is: climbing Mount Everest is putting a strain on the environment. The BBC reported that eleven tonnes of rubbish had been removed from Mount Everest in 2024.
Mountain climbing isn’t the only sport to impact the environment: from increased carbon footprint down to single-use plastics, these actions are small but have a mighty impact once added up. With the newly-released F1 (2025), we’re expecting to see a rise in Formula 1 interest. It’s no surprise that the extreme sport has a staggering carbon footprint, to which they’ve published an impact report which outlines their aim to be Net Zero by 2030 — although they’ve faced claims of greenwashing.
Local communities also take a hit; aside from the litter, the Sherpa people are at the heart of every Mount Everest summit as they are responsible for securing the safety ropes, finding the right weather window, and looking after climbers in these dangerous conditions. Sherpa (2015) dives into the problem with Everest tourism, along with the hazards that come with climbing the world’s tallest mountain. Tensions erupt between climbers, the Nepal government, and the sherpas as they make their voices heard.
However, communities aren’t always negatively affected by extreme sport. When filming MAJI, the audience can see local communities supporting the cause. Tom Neish says, “The community support was a huge boost, both emotionally and logistically. At every location, we encountered an incredible level of interest and encouragement, not just for Leo’s physical efforts, but also for the cause itself. There was a real understanding of the global water crisis, and people were quick to share their own local water stories, challenges, and perspectives. That openness and generosity added depth to the film and reinforced the importance of the message we were trying to tell. It definitely gave Leo — and us as a crew - a deeper sense of purpose throughout the journey.”
Impact on emergency services
One quick Google search and you’ll see how many emergency services are available to hire for extreme sporting events. But what about when people take extreme sports into their own extreme hands?
Mountain Rescue England and Wales reported that in 2023, there were a reported 489 incidents due to inexperience/unfamiliarity and a further 156 incidents due to inadequate equipment and footwear. A total of 116,103 volunteer rescuing hours was reported throughout England and Wales.
Bullfighting is one of the most controversial extreme sports; the risk to the participants and the killing of animals has driven the sport to be banned in parts of Spain, while popularity has declined in the rest of the country. But the sport still exists and with it, the risks have led to an entirely new specialised team of medical personnel being formed. Afternoons of Solitude (2024) doesn’t shy away from the violence; director Albert Serra wanted to tell the story of bullfighting in all its forms: from tradition, art, cinematic, and violence.
Would you run down a steep hill to chase a wheel of cheese? Many people would, so much so it’s become an annual event: the Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake. Hundreds of people have taken part over the years, leading to many injuries over the years and The Tewkesbury Borough Safety Group (SAG) declaring the event unsafe. The event has been a tradition for hundreds of years, bringing thousands of people together and creating memories.
But… the glory?
It’s a simple case of supply and demand: filmmakers will continue making these documentaries if there’s an audience for them. They’re addicted to the adrenaline and I’m addicted to the nauseating shots of danger, the spine-chilling editing, and the relief when all is well in the end.
During my catch up with Krister of KOPALA, I asked if he finds himself taking bigger risks to catch the audience by surprise and he said, “I think where the sport has come now, a lot of people take bigger risks to catch the audience. For me it was more about proving myself some years ago, but now I don't think that's a sustainable way of doing it.”
Proving yourself has always been a strong reason for extreme sports, and it’s something audiences can see for themselves in the opening episode of Netflix’s docu-series, We Are The Champions (2020), where the Cheese-Rolling contestants share their stories on why they’re participating. Injuries happen, but you wouldn't believe how proud they are; the winners wear their wounds with pride - with their infectious joy and competitive spirit, it almost feels impossible not to root for them.
Nowadays, people who undergo extreme sports don’t need crews and insurance working alongside them, all they need is a phone and a social media account. In this photo or it didn’t happen era, we’re seeing how the phrase that originally called false claims into question transforms into a fascinating case of how far people are willing to go. Paddleboarding in the ocean for 20 miles with no equipment? We’ve seen it. Skydiving from a hot air balloon? Let’s turn it into a meme. However, there are times when I’m scrolling through social media and I have to take a second to look at the photo carefully. Is this actually real? Because AI can replicate these images, making us believe something that’s not true at all.
One of the many reasons why I love documentaries is the stories that are told; all humans are different, with many different reasons for why they do what they do. That’s why I was skeptical that watching short social media videos would erase the human connection behind the sports, so when I asked the MAJI team for their opinion, I was delighted their perspective was different: “Social media has made extreme sports more accessible and visible than ever, which is a powerful thing. As a filmmaker, I think it’s about using those formats not just for spectacle, but to maintain the human stories behind the action. If someone sees a 30-second clip and feels inspired to get outside - whether it’s for a walk, a run, or to take on something bigger — then that’s a meaningful connection. The key is keeping the storytelling authentic and grounded so people feel motivated, not alienated, by what they see.”
Film festivals
All this talk of extreme sports has made me itch for something dangerous. If you’re like me and you need to get your fix on secondhand adrenaline, here’s some film festivals for you:
HoryZonty Adventure Film Festival’s goal is to “show the spirit of adventure by presenting incredible sport performances and by connecting adventure lovers with visitors”. With 580+ films screened in their 19 years, this is absolute proof that extreme sports has had an impact on the world: athletes, filmmakers, and audiences.
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival takes place in Canada but also tours the world — literally. Their mission is to “promote understanding and appreciation of the world’s mountain places by creating opportunities for people to share and find inspiration in mountain experiences, ideas, and visions”. Their 2023-2024 tour took 37 films to 7 continents, their 2024-2025 tour is currently happening.
Want something a little different? How about the European Outdoor Film Tour (EOFT), the largest outdoor film festival in Europe, who are passionate about showcasing fearless stories and the people pushing their daring ideas to the limits. The festival takes place outside and tours multiple European countries.
Audiences love the seat-gripping, sweat-inducing, breathtaking action — that’s why Newport Beach Film Festival has the Action Sport block in their programming: “The NBFF's Action Sports Film Series spotlights films, filmmakers, athletes, visionaries, industry professionals, artists and designers who have shaped action sports culture and history.”
So… what now?
Look, it’s very easy for someone whose not in the extreme sports community to criticise, especially as I’m currently loading up the next documentary while the tea is brewing; I’m drawn to the danger as a voyeur. Whether it’s to achieve a personal best, beat the world record, or for the sake of their own mental health — extreme sports is effective in showing us what drives people to do these death-defying stunts, and how impressive the human body and mind is.
But we can’t ignore the risks, not just to the participants themselves but to the community around them. As I’ve been writing this article, I’ve been thinking: can we make extreme sports safer? Can we have adventures and be mindful of the people and communities around us? Doing so would eliminate the extremeness of it, making it just sports — which definitely does not fulfil the same adrenaline quota.
What we can do is continue educating people on the dangers of extreme sports: from life-changing injuries, to the loss of life itself. From helping local communities, to keeping emergency services at the forefront of extreme sport planning. Social media sites such as TikTok have warnings under each dangerous video: “The actions in this video are performed or supervised by professionals. Do not attempt.” — Which is very helpful when you’re watching a Red Bull video on some insanely impressive stunt. But if these videos are too nauseating for you, don’t worry, Red Bull also sponsors Simon Says games — now this is a sport I think I’d thrive in.
