Wanaka film-maker Mal Haskins is a committed speed-rider who spends 10-15 hours a week practising his sport.
There is no other option.
"It's about taking your own responsibility in decision-making and in commitment.
"If you are going to abort, you need to abort within two steps," he says.
Speed-riding is a relatively new sport, which took off in Europe about four years ago.
Haskins is among a small group of South Islanders who have been doing it for about three years.
He favours hours of groundwork because the consequences of getting it wrong can be "moderately catastrophic".
The concept is to fly downhill as close to a snow slope as possible - maybe less than 1m above ground - at speeds of up to 120kmh.
The pilot uses a wing similar to a paraglider wing, but smaller, and usually wears skis.
The sport takes place on the fringes of skifields or in the back country, although it can be done from ground starts and without skis.
In the film he has made about the activity, he follows pilots from ground starts at Pub Corner, on the Treble Cone skifield access road, to the bottom of the mountain in a flight of about 90 seconds.
A straight glide down the 7km drop might take three minutes and a paraglide might take 12-15 minutes, he said.
The Australian-born adventurer began filming outdoor activities in 1998.
He moved to Wanaka about six years ago.
- The facts
Film-maker: Mal Haskins (37) of Wanaka
Short Film: Speedriding (4 minutes).
Screening: Lake Wanaka Centre, Friday, July 3, from 8.30pm.
Occupation: Mountain guide
