Archive for October, 2009

How lucky were these guys?

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

So, you want to be an extreme sports film maker then do you?
But how do you propose to do that especially when all you have got is a simple hand help camera, a bit of dirt and a retro BMX bike. The new Coppela you definitely aren’t!

That was the problem 6 lucky winners earlier this year managed to over come.
The Reel Adventure Diaries Film Competition gave them a platform to get out there and have some fun, learn some filming techniques and even bag a wicked trip away with a professional athlete.
But what is it I hear you say…

TRAD, as it is also known, asked wanna be film makers to send in 2 minute clips of their work and then sit back and wait. The 6 winners were then selected and then paired up a professional extreme sports athlete. The athletes they used were:

Tim Emmett- a base jumping, ice climbing adrenaline junkie who has featured on Top Gear and flying wing suit programes (http://www.timemmett.com)

Joharra Sykes-Davis- The UK Kitesurfing Champion and general all round god sort (http://www.joharafreedom.com/)

Laurent Niol- A French athlete who knows no limits, free skiing and jumping off pretty much anything he is and eve isnt allowed to (http://www.zapiks.com/_laurent-niol-1/)

Andy Kirkpatrick- A British Ice Climbing Legend (http://www.andy-kirkpatrick.com)

John Ross- AKA Shaggy who is a mountain bike guru based in Bristol, and has some serious stamina

Andrew Price- One of the UKs most up and coming survival and bushcraft guides (http://www.dryadbushcraft.co.uk)

The 6 winners were sent off to places as diverse as South Wales, Scotland, France and even a 10 day trip to Kenya to get to know, film and learn about why these athletes do what they do. They were given their kit, all their travel and expenses paid for as well as expert guidance before they were sent on their way. The film makers had to story board the films, film it, edit it and put the whole thing together. Not bad considering they were complete amateurs.

The 6 final films have now been put onto a DVD and can be picked up from the TRAD website.
If you need or want any more info on the event or the competition then take a look here (http://www.tradfilms.com/index.shtml) as there is a rumour that it is going to happen again next year.

To check out the trailer have a look at this page as it looks pretty cool:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIg753SAg4U

As I hear more about the 2010 event I will let you know

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Posted in Films, International | No Comments »

Adventure Travel…Really?

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

So, we had the new look Bear Grylls show on last night. Did anyone catch it? The big fanfare was all about how he had teamed up with Hollywood funny man Will Ferrell.
Personally i think the time is just about ripe for Bear to disappear gracefully into the back waters and use all his survival skills to look after himself miles from anywhere. And anyone. Oh and more importantly from a camera. Even one on a phone.
The constant jeopardy that seems to permeate every single one of his movements and actions is really quite distressing and ridiculous. Does he not realise that people know he is a fake! I ask you…anyway, for more information why not have a look:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/bear-grylls

The whole taking celebs into the unknown is really the big thing to do at the moment isn’t it. Ch4 vs ITV 2.
We seem to have a constant run with Jack O taking his “mates” here there and everywhere. Gone are the days when we see Jack being led by proper professionals (Mike Weeks and Bean Sopwith). Are we honestly expected to believe that Jack is now a total Action Jackson and equipment to teach these people what to do? No i didn’t think so.
Again, have a peak here if you want some more info:

http://www.itv.com/entertainment/reality/jackosbournecelebrityadrenalinejunkie/default.html

So what did happen to the experts of the first 2 shows, Mike and Bean.
Well they have taken the next step into personal development, shunned the TV world and set up their own London based company helping people to help themselves. Obviously they have professional clients but mike also spends a day a week helping out a charity in Birmingham for free. To get a better understanding of what they do have a look here:

http://www.thebodyalchemist.com/

So, out of all these three guys…who are the real travel adventurers?!?!?

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Posted in Adventure Travel | No Comments »

Welcome to the X1 Sports Travel and Adventure blog

Friday, October 16th, 2009

So, welcome. This is the first of hopefully many attempts to enlighten you all as to what is happening in the adventure and travel world. It is such a huge topic with an endless stream of possibilities and I am just one man with ten fingers and a keyboard. But anyway, here goes!!

So, the nights are drawing in, the weather is definitley getting colder and jackets have been well and truly dusted down. But what does that mean? The ski season is nearly upon us!!
In reverence to everything snow orientated I thought it only best to mention that the Metro Ski Show at Earls Court starting next week (21st-25th October 2009).
http://www.metrosnow.co.uk/index.php?id=0
There are all sorts of things going on there from demonstrations, lectures, parties as well as the opportunity to bag a bargain on clothes, holidays and ski kit. Check it out.

Finally as a little heads up before i go how about a little bit of unattainable luxury. We at X1 Sports Insurance are a little bit envious of anyone who afford to stay here but then again, if you can why wouldn’t you!
We on the other hand will more than likely be Easy-jetting it and squeezing 10 of us into a twin room somewhere!
Hidden Dragon is situated in the 4 Valley region and is total Feng Shuied opulence. If you get there make me jealous and let me know what its like hey!!
http://www.hidden-dragon.com/home

Have a good weekend

X1 Sports Insurance

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Posted in Winter | No Comments »