Got what it takes for an extreme binge on extreme sports? Check out our survival guide and go the distance!
The chilly season is here, but being indoors needn't be a bore. Showmax is overflowing with great doccies, and we've selected a few that'll blow your mind! Read on and become an extreme sports expert.
A long time ago a guy called Newton did some fancy maths, essentially telling us that what goes up will come down. Strongly correlated to his three laws we can add a fourth – perhaps called the “Law of Extreme Sports”: simply put, thrills are always and everywhere accompanied by spills. If you jump off a sheer cliff face enough times, you’ll probably get hurt along the way. For most of us mere mortals, Newton’s fourth law is enough to keep our two feet firmly planted on the good earth. For certain people, though, it’s nothing less than an insult that can’t go unanswered.
And answer they do. Watching an extreme athlete in action is beyond breath-taking, so we’ve put together a list of the best extreme sports doccies available on Showmax. But don’t take this lightly; it is an unnerving and surreal world where your sense of “the possible” will face insurmountable challenges.
First up, some binge prep work. Get your mind in the game by sitting quietly for at least 10 minutes. Focus is key, so clear your thoughts and concentrate on images of extreme athletes, in stunningly beautiful environments, giving gravity the finger. Next up, get your partner to give you some encouraging words. These should work: “You got this, superstar”, “Show no mercy”, and “Can I get you another energy drink?”
We’re going to start with an insane Austrian named Felix Baumgartner. He managed to be the first earthbound creature to successfully break the sound barrier, unaided, just by falling. Skydiving from a height of over 39 km and reaching a speed of over 1 350 km/h in free fall, he broke several world records. Mission to the Edge of Space: The Inside Story Behind Red Bull Stratos is a gripping two-hour testament to the awesome ingenuity humankind can attain, and, also, well, the sheer balls of the guy. Watch now »
Next on our list is the fearless snowboarder Travis Rice, who is basically saying, “You don’t need a plane to fly”. The Art of Flight is 78 minutes of heart-pumping action, incredible scenery and unbelievable stunts that define what it means to be a true adrenaline junkie. Watch now »
At this point, you may feel the unacceptable urge to take a break. Don’t give in: bingeing isn’t for sissies. We now turn to two wheels that spend more time in the air than on the ground. Strength in Numbers is a sweeping mountain-bike doccie that explores all forms of the sport, from ridiculously fast downhill racing to the art of freeriding. Watch now »
Extreme sports are not only dominated by men. Start with Pure, and allow yourself to be amazed at what these top women on skis can do (in the sky, nogal). Then move on to the astonishing story of renowned BASE jumper Karina Hollekim in 20 Seconds of Joy. Watch now »
You’re doing well, but for a true binge you’ll need a few more hours of prime viewing to end off with. Here is our selection of the best to choose from:
The Unrideables: Alaska Range
A newbie to the extreme scene, speedriding is a high-speed, high-stakes mountain sport that fuses two favourites – skiing and parasailing. Renowned Jon DeVore sets out with an elite team to conquer the demanding ranges of Alaska. Watch now »
Brandon Semenuk’s Rad Company
This doccie pushes the limits of freeride mountain biking and showcases the mad skills that made Semenuk one of the most explosive riders on the planet. Watch now »
Where the Trail Ends
Exploring the diverse forms of mountain biking, Where the Trail Ends chronicles the quest to find terrains never traversed by bikes before. Watch now »
Storm Chase
1 planet, 3 storms, 10 sailors… 1 champion – these were the ingredients for the world’s most challenging windsurfing competition ever. Watch now »
Danny MacAskill’s Epecuen
One of the world’s foremost trails riders, Danny MacAskill puts his skills to the test by creatively riding the ruins of a town that spent 25 years submerged under water. Watch now »
On Any Sunday: The Next Chapter
Four decades after the original On Any Sunday, this new chapter shows that the passion for pushing motorcycles to their limit is as strong as ever. Watch now »
9 Dives
Top diver Orlando Duque displays his astounding athleticism in this moving documentary about a profoundly unnerving period of his life. Watch now »
When you make it through, you’ll be faced with just one question: are you ready to become an extreme sports athlete, or have you been called to extreme binge some more? Either way it’s a win!
