Will Gadd: A Life Lived on the Edge

Some athletes push the limits of their sport. Others seem determined to find out where those limits actually are. Canadian adventurer and Red Bull athlete Will Gadd definitely falls into the second category.

Born in 1967, Gadd has built an extraordinary career as an ice climber, paraglider, and all-around adventure athlete. He's widely regarded as one of the world's most accomplished ice climbers, but what makes his career particularly interesting is the range of disciplines he's mastered.

In 2015, Gadd made international headlines when he became the first person to climb the frozen sections of Niagara Falls. The achievement required an unusual combination of technical skill, preparation, and favorable winter conditions. It was the kind of project that perfectly captured his approach to adventure: finding something that seems impossible and figuring out how to make it happen.

His accomplishments extend well beyond climbing. Gadd has set paragliding distance records, explored remote ice formations, and participated in scientific expeditions studying glaciers and the effects of climate change.

As a longtime Red Bull athlete, he's also helped redefine what adventure sports can look like, combining athletic performance with exploration, science, and storytelling.

What I find particularly interesting about Gadd is that he's continued pushing boundaries well into his fifties, in sports where experience, judgment, and preparation can be just as important as physical ability.

I've had the opportunity to photograph some pretty interesting people over my career, and as an Edmonton-based photographer, I've been in front of a lot of amazing people, which has allowed me to hear them speak and talk to them personally. Will Gadd certainly belongs on that list.