A beautiful California day turned into a nightmare, as Will failed to save his friend’s life while running one of the state's toughest rivers. This nightmare frightened him enough to quit kayaking, possibly forever. This is the reality of extreme sports. Often not even the greatest athletes can conquer these elements unscathed, but it’s a risk they’re willing to take. Will Gadd stands as a four-time Canadian National Sport-Climbing Champion, three-time Winter X Games gold winner, and the world’s first person to scale up the frozen Niagara Falls. Whatever he can climb up, paddle through, or paraglide over, he can conquer; and it all started as a kid, exploring the mountains in his family’s backyard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices