2003 Bio and Blatant Talent Hype for Will Gadd

“Nobody ever died wishing they had spent more time behind a desk.”

Will Gadd is one of the top outdoor sports athletes in the world. Gadd's athletic abilities have earned him recognition as a top competitor and athlete, but he's also known for his ability to complete fun, successful and safe outings in adverse conditions. He writes about adventure sports, organizes adventure TV shows and avoids his desk when possible.

 Sports Rap Sheet:

-Ice Climbing. Recently opened the hardest mixed route in the world, Musashi. Climbed his first waterfall at age 12, first place at every major ice competition in the world in '98 and '99 (ESPN X Games, Courchevel Invitational, France.), won the 2000 Ice World Cup, fifth in 2002. Many TV, film and video projects including first place at the Banff Film Festival for This Is Your Life.

-Paragliding. Current World Record distance holder (263 miles/423K), first to fly across the US (Outdoor Life TV show), consistent competition results, USHGA Tandem instructor. First place in the Dave Bridges Memorial mountain paragliding race.

-Mountaineering. Grew up in the Canadian Rockies climbing with his parents, climbed everywhere from Northern Canada to South America and Europe, recently opened one of the hardest alpine routes in Canada with friends (Howse of Cards). First one-day ascent of Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

-Rock Climbing. Up to 5.13c, sport and traditional. Solid competition climber in season. Three-time Canadian national sport climbing champion. TV and commercial work.

-Kayaking. Kayaking since he was 14 years old, solid wilderness and rodeo boater. First descents across North America. Film and TV work.

-Telemark, Nordic and Alpine Skiing. Raced cross-country in high school, alpine skiing since elementary school, avid backcountry skier ever since then. Started skiing at age three.

-Caving. Numerous expeditions to caves in Canada and the US, part of a team that explored CO2 filled caves in Thailand (National Geographic). Lots of vertical experience.

-Mountain Biking: 20 years of hopping logs and rolling around the mountains.

-Football. Absolutely pathetic.

-Other sports. Scuba-certified, sailing, surfing, snowboarding, in-line skating, hockey.

Not Sports

Writing: Published in Outside, Climbing, Rock &Ice, Alp, Cross-Country, Paragliding and many other magazines. Five scripts for TV shows.

Video: I've worked as a producer, videographer and/or talent on at least 25 adventure-oriented shows.

Stunt Work: ACTRA member (reciprocal with SAG, legal in the US), principal performer on a half-dozen commercials. Paragliding, kayaking, ice climbing, rock climbing, mountaineering.

Posing: Yeah, I can do that... Articles, videos, TV, I'm in if it's a good project with good people. Back off if you want me to do something really stupid for no money (Wait, if it's stupid cool we should talk...).

Maybe you want to know?

I'm 34 years old, live in Canmore, Alberta, Canada, and know how to get to the airport/mountains in most North American and European cities.

I work with Red Bull energy drink, Black Diamond climbing equipment, Scarpa footwear, Superfly paragliders, Bolle Sunglasses, and Flytec Varios.

Demo reel and photos available on request. Digits: gadd@gravsports.com, or http://www.gravsports.com. 403 678 5728, cell 970 948 6135.