World renowned kayaker Steve Fisher starred and
directed the film "Halo Effect"This past Tuesday I had the pleasure of attending the Red Bull X-Dance film called “Halo Effect” which follows three of the world’s best kayakers on a two month journey through Iceland and Norway in search of epic rapids and waterfalls. One of the kayakers, Steve Fisher who hails from South Africa was also the film director and co-founder of Fish Munga Productions . Steve has had a large part in being one of the first kayaker turned film makers to attempt to bridge the gap between kayaking as a somewhat unknown extreme sport into becoming more mainstream. The film really made me appreciate the tremendous amount of skill and tenacity extreme kayakers’ posses and how incredibly exciting extreme kayaking is.

When asked about what his motivation was behind how the film was directed, Steve wanted to make a film that would be for a more mainstream audience while making sure he didn’t alienate kayakers—a film that both groups would be able to enjoy and appreciate. I had chills down my arms within the first ten minutes of the film and was sitting at the edge of my seat the entire time. I had a chance to catch up with Steve afterwards and ask a few questions regarding what his thoughts are on his movie and the sport of kayaking and advice for those who either want to get into kayaking or become an action sports filmmaker.

Photo Gallery: Red Bull X-Dance Screening of "Halo Effect"

 

Venture There: How do you feel this movie will progress the sport of kayaking?

 

Steve: Well it’s important for every sport to become exposed to the mainstream. In terms of the endemic market of the industry we need new people to come into the sport all the time. if this movie helps people want to try kayaking than that is great for the sport. In terms of where people will push it in the upper end of the sport rather than the beginners coming in I think is the film making aspect of it. We’re all a great crew of top kayakers who are pushing waterfalls and drops higher and higher and therefore continue regardless. But for something like this that reaches out into mainstream audience. I think it pushes other film makers to do the same then you get the snowball effect.

 

VT: What advice can you give for someone who wants to get into the sport of kayaking or filmmakers?

 

SF: For people who want to get into the sport of kayaking, they should go into it knowing that the most difficult thing they have to do is the first thing they have to do which is the ‘Eskimo Roll’ which is much easier from there on. With that said, when you’re learning to kayak you shouldn’t get too focused on the Eskimo roll you should just focus on having fun and upright. And if you flip over, you can’t roll up just take a swim, there’s no way to avoid that. But that’s really a challenge that holds the sport back is that it’s such a difficult step so early on. But if people go in knowing its difficult they are more likely to stick it out and be rewarded. For film makers, my advice is to bide your time and learn from other more established people. That’s what I did, I felt very frustrated at times I wanted to make my own films but I stuck it out and followed some guys who had been around longer and when I found that I was up to the task I gave it a shot and certainly haven’t reached my potential yet but I'm glad that I waited. I don’t feel like I'm shooting in the dark and knowing where I’m going.

 

VT: Do you mind explaining the Eskimo roll for us for those who are unfamiliar?

 

SF: The Eskimo roll is when you flip upside down and you have to skirt around cockpit of the kayak that keeps the water out. And what you have to do is reach the paddle and reach up use a stroke near the surface of the water and to pull yourself upright. Once you got it, its not that complicated. When you’re first learning it, you’re upside down in the water and uncomfortable and it’s very unnatural. Some people don’t like it and with that all said. What people can remember to is that there are all forms of kayaking, like sea kayaking and recreational kayaking, it doesn’t have to be all of this extreme kayaking and what people should remember is that the first time you kayak down a tiny little rapid or perhaps an ocean, the adrenaline rush you get from it is actually exactly the same as what I go through. When I go off some huge water fall. I don’t get a greater extreme rush of excitement. All that’s happened is that I’ve done so much it’s taken so much more to get that buzz so you can be a total beginner and realize why we do the things we do. And you quickly realize you need to step it up a notch, it’s the same.

The surfers want to surf bigger waves, mountain bikers want to ride off bigger cliffs. You know, everyone wants to take that bigger risk to get that buzz.

 

VT: What obstacles have you had to overcome to continue doing what you love?

 

SF: The main obstacle of being a professional kayaker is mainly to make a living out of it. It’s not like some of these mainstream sports where you do well in a few regular events and suddenly there’s a sponsorship contract. What it’s meant is to really stepping back and taking a look at how much you really like what you do and how much you are willing to give up and do what you want to do. And for me and a few other kayakers, we are lucky that we have managed to get by and make a living. Now, I’m in a position I’ve never dreamed I would be in and I certainly won’t become a millionaire anytime soon but I get to explore my passions which are traveling the world, kayaking and making films. That’s the reward of it after quite a few years.

 

WATCH: "Halo Effect" Trailer