Will Gadd knows what it feels like to fly.
Along with Gavin McClurg, he was named as a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year for 2014/2015 for his paragliding traverse of North America. For 35 days, Gadd and McClurg paraglided 650 kilometres across the Canadian Rockies, setting a new record for the longest air journey to ever be completed by a paraglider.
But that’s not all. More recently, Will became the first person to climb up the frozen-over Niagara Falls – just another incredible accomplishment to add to his ever-growing resume, which includes kayaking down dozens of first ascents across North America, winning three gold medals at the X Games, and ice climbing in underground mines in Sweden.
He’s been called extreme, a daredevil, and just about every other name in the book, but National Geographic nailed the term: above all, Will Gadd is an adventurer. On April 12th, Will will share stories, highlights, and lessons learned at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival’s MULTIPLICITY (pick up your tickets here — there’s not much time left!). We caught up with Will to learn more about living the adventurous life.
ML: As a father, why do you think it’s important to instill a sense of adventure in the next generation? How do you encourage your daughter to be adventurous?
WG: Everybody is naturally adventurous, but that spirit gets beaten out of us by life. But we can fight for adventure, for true freedom, for living a meaningful life however we define that. I encourage everyone not to be adventurous, but to recognize their own innate abilities and use them. And that’s always an adventure!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU5i1WjRBhE?rel=0&w=701&h=399]ML: Of all your adventures and accomplishments, what do you consider to be the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
WG: Create the life I’m living. There wasn’t really a career description for adventure guy when I was in high school.
ML: If you had to pick one highlight from the craziness that was the past year, what would it be?
WG: As always, surviving.
ML: What are some of the main themes you’ll be discussing during your Multiplicity presentation?
WG: Adventure, risk, reward, sponsorship, posing, sex, training and having a really good time in life.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5R6CYRBB6c?rel=0&w=701&h=399]ML: What’s the next greatest challenge on your radar?
WG: I’m about to do a whack of TV here in Toronto, and that always makes me really nervous! Plus Antarctica and Greenland… stay tuned.