2016

S1.E1 ∙ Episode #1.1

Sat, Aug 13, 2016

Over the course of 6 months, Jokke Sommer, one of world's most prominent wingsuit pilots and Niccolo Porcella, a world-class waterman and big wave surfer, will trade knowledge in their extremely inspiring yet deadly sports. Jokke starts preparing for his trip to Maui by stopping in Oslo and picking up his sponsored gear; meanwhile, Niccolo is in Maui doing a photoshoot for one of his sponsors. The athletes are surrounded by multiple mentors who are skilled in either wingsuit flying or big wave surfing to help train and prepare them, both mentally and physically, for the challenges ahead. They begin with Jokke, getting him on the water to test smaller waves and it quickly becomes apparent that Jokke will need a lot of training in order to surf the big swells at Pe'ahi. Upon a visit to local surf legend, Rodney Kilborn, the men get a quick history lesson on Pe'ahi. To further prepare Jokke for what he will be facing, Niccolo, his brother Francisco, and family friend, Garrett, surf Pe'ahi as Jokke watches. He is able to see how big wave surfers handle and recover from wipe outs. Jokke takes the jet ski to get a closer look but realizes the jet ski is dead and taking on water. As the crew scrambles to get the jet ski back to the boat, they realize a plug was not replaced and that the engine might have taken in too much sea water which could jeopardize the entire project.

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S1.E2 ∙ Episode #1.2

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

Extreme sport athletes, Jokke Sommer and Niccolo Porcella, are under a lot of pressure as they continue to hit major challenges that could jeopardize their project. The jet ski needed to train Jokke to surf the waves of Pe'ahi may have taken in too much ocean water to be repaired. After dropping off the jet ski, Niccolo takes Jokke to his trainer, Izaac Tyrell, for some condition training. As the team looks to shift gears to begin Niccolo's training for wingsuit flying, Jokke realizes his B license is expired. They call the owner of the drop zone in Oahu and the owner needs proof of Jokke's currency beforehand. They decide to fly to Oahu and after speaking with the owner, Jokke is given permission to jump. Jokke instructs Niccolo to stay close to him and Ludo but the team doesn't jump together, leaving Ludo behind. Niccolo also starts to drift away as Jokke loses his position. After some successful jumps, they allow Niccolo to further his training by jumping in a tracking suit. Niccolo successfully exits the plane, the suit inflates, and he propels forward. When deploying his canopy, the lines are twisted and Niccolo only has a couple of seconds to untangle them before having to deploy his secondary parachute; he is able to untwist them just in time and land safely. With these jumps under their belt, they begin to see a glimmer of hope in what was seeming like an impossible dream.

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S1.E3 ∙ Episode #1.3

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

With a huge storm set to hit Maui, Jokke Sommer and Niccolo Porcella shift over to water training to further prepare Jokke for Peahi's monstrous waves. The team meet at a local coffee shop and decide that Niccolo and his brother, Francisco, will surf the big swells at Pe'ahi in the morning and in the afternoon. They will go to Sprecks for Jokke's surf training. They first call the repair shop and are relieved to hear that the jet ski engine will not need to be replaced. A day before the storm, Niccolo takes Jokke to an underwater cave for some breath training. In addition to that, Jokke will need to be able to maintain his calm under water to maneuver monster waves. The clouds begin to block the sun, making it extremely difficult to see in the cave. During the last pass through, they are plunged into complete darkness; Jokke begins to panic but then a sea turtle appears and they follow it out. The following day, the team heads down to the jet ski launch area and prepare for the large swells at Pe'ahi. Due to extreme wind conditions, numerous wipeouts ensue. With the conditions declining, Niccolo decides to call it a day and focus on Jokke at Sprecks. With the sun setting, Jokke rides his first wave. Even with this accomplishment, he realizes that it's nothing close to what he could be riding at Pe'ahi and begins to question his ability and dream of big wave surfing.

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S1.E4 ∙ Episode #1.4

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

The holiday season is approaching and Jokke Sommer and Niccolo Porcella are training to be the first two people to be proficient in both wingsuit flying and big wave surfing. Niccolo takes the team cliff diving as a method of simulating the impact of a big wave wipeout. Niccolo will be departing to spend the holidays in California with his fiancee and family and needs to get in as much skydive, wingsuit training as possible before he takes off. The team decides to relocate to Oahu where the only skydive dropzone in Hawaii is located. After arriving in Oahu, they first make a stop at "Pipe Pro," a surfing competition. The next day, they head out to the dropzone for Niccolo's wingsuit test jump and some flight training. When Niccolo deploys his canopy, he quickly realizes his lines are twisted but maintains his composure as he remembers his training and untangles his lines. Afterwards, Ludovic and Jokke unanimously agree that Niccolo is ready for the next step in wingsuit flying. They meet with a local pilot and discuss the logistics of a heli wingsuit jump. The team then parts ways with Niccolo on his way to California and Jokke planning on surfing Pe'ahi during a medium-sized swell. Jokke and Tazzy take to Pe'ahi and after several failed attempts, Jokke gets one of the cleanest, biggest waves of the day and finally completes a ride. This is a great step towards his dream of surfing a big swell at Pe'ahi.

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S1.E5 ∙ Episode #1.5

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

Big wave surfer, Niccolo Porcella, takes his training wingsuit pilot training to the next level under the leadership and guidance of renowned BASE jumpers and wingsuit pilots, Jokke Sommer and Ludovic Woerth. After Niccolo returns from California, the team begins to prepare for Niccolo's first helicopter wingsuit jump. They search Google maps and talk to the local helicopter pilot to scout landing areas for the jump. The team decides on the front of the house but the pilot points out a palm tree that won't allow for a safe take off so they go with plan B: a nearby farm owned by one of Niccolo's friends. While finalizing flight plans with the property owner, Ludo also emphasizes the importance of checking the gear as well as other techniques to be safe during the jump. The next day, the team is ready to jump and they hop aboard the helicopter. Jokke and Niccolo jump out at the same time. Niccolo gets rocked by the wind when he deploys his parachute. He struggles momentarily but is still able to find the landing area and land safely. Afterwards, they decide to execute another heli jump, but they substitute parachutes for wingsuits this time, taking Niccolo one step closer to his dream. The crew jumps and are blown way off course and scramble to land safely in the landing area. They celebrate the day's rewards and accomplishments with a homemade Italian feast and are extremely thankful and hopeful for the future of the project.

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S1.E6 ∙ Episode #1.6

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

Wingsuit pilot, Jokke Sommer is deep in his training and is preparing for his second encounter with the famous waves of Pe'ahi. The team is tracking a powerful storm that is set to hit Hawaii and produce massive swells. Niccolo's trainer, Izaac, has been working on a specialized routine to sharpen Jokke's reaction time, endurance, and flexibility to get him physically ready to surf big waves. The first day of the storm arrives and Niccolo and Francisco go out to surf and are hit with large waves. After taking a couple of hits, Niccolo is able to catch a wave and rides it to the channel as Jokke watches from a cliff. Unexpected Hollywood visitors also show up to film, making the area a dangerous surfing zone. The following day, the forecast predicts 30 foot swells and as the crew heads out towards the waves, they realize the waves are still enormous; if they don't subside, Jokke will have to move on to the second phase of the project without accomplishing his goal of surfing a big wave at Pe'ahi. Luck strikes as Rodney Kilborn notices no one riding the left side of the waves and after some negotiating, Jokke is able to get out there. After some failed attempts and almost losing his board to the rocks, Niccolo tows Jokke into a big wave and Jokke experiences his first barrel. With the whole team stoked, they prepare for the second phase of the project in Europe.

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S1.E7 ∙ Episode #1.7

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

Since leaving Maui, Jokke Sommer and Niccolo Porcella have been skydive training in Dubai. After jumping and training with all Dubai has to offer, the team sets out for France for the next phase of training: bridge BASE jumping. France's Millau Viaduct bridge is the tallest bridge in the world standing at 890 feet above the valley below. Dominik Loyen, a legendary wingsuit pilot and trainer to Jokke, prepares Niccolo for the jump by going over all the procedures and techniques to which he must adhere in order to execute a safe and successful jump. Felix Lorentzen jumps first and after he lands, Niccolo takes his leap and successfully base jumps Millau Viaduct. The boys prepare for their final jump as dusk begins to settle in. With no ground visibility and the French police arriving, they take a leap of faith off the bridge and slip away before being captured. The following day, Niccolo heads to Sardinia, Italy for his wedding to Jamie Adele Burden, leaving Jokke to focus on his relationship with Julie Drey. In a secluded cave surrounded by family and friends, Jamie becomes Mrs. Porcella. The team then heads to Switzerland, a playground with many cliffs and mountains for base jumpers, in order to further Niccolo's training. Dominik goes over packing canopies and stresses the importance of proper packing, which could make the difference in life or death. Jokke, Niccolo, Felix, and Dominik hike up to Yellow Ocean for their first cliff base jump in Switzerland.

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S1.E8 ∙ Episode #1.8

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

The saddest goodbyes to Liftoff castmate and mentor, Ludovic Woerth, who was lost in a tragic accident along with two other wingsuit pilots. The crew reflect on the accident, while partaking in a home-cooked meal, prepared by Jokke's mother in Norway before heading to the mountains for more base jump training for Niccolo Porcella. Due to unfavorable weather conditions, Sommer switches gears and introduces the boys to his favorite childhood activity; jumping off roofs of buildings into water. Jokke invites wingsuit pilot, Tom Erik Heimen, to look over locations and then jump with them. Jokke, Niccolo, and Felix visit a massage parlor where they clear their minds and relax their bodies before jumping. Jokke reiterates the safety precautions to Niccolo before hiking up to the top of the mountain. They reach the launching pad, begin to suit up, and take in the view. The first group, which includes Jokke and Tom, jump to show Niccolo and Felix the tracking route. After they land safely, Niccolo and Felix take their first Norway BASE jump. They successfully track and land. The team unwinds and celebrates with lunch and more massages. They hike back up for another jump but are met with less than ideal weather conditions; they wait three hours and just when all hope is lost, the opportunity to jump opens up and the boys take it. Looking back at a day filled with excitement, they head back and prepare to train for bigger and harder jumps.

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S1.E9 ∙ Episode #1.9

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

Wingsuit pilot Jokke Sommer, world class waterman Niccolo Porcella, and the crew are invited over to Tom Erik's house to review footage and prepare for a fly by in Bispen. The team then meet at the cabin and discuss some last details on Jokke and Tom's fly by stunt. Niccolo and the team wait by the road while Jokke and Tom reach the exit point. They gear up and jump off the edge, flying down the cliff right alongside the road where the team is waiting. As everyone leaves to get lunch, Jokke, Felix, and Tom prepare to jump again while Niccolo sits out because he's not quite ready. After a successful morning of jumps, the team discusses what exit peak to take on next jump. They agree on Gridset again but first head back to the cabin to unwind and pack gear. After a two hour hike, they reach the launching pad in Gridset and when they leap, it is immediately apparent that Niccolo has made an error and is flying incredibly close to the trees; he does an emergency landing in the water. The team rushes over, relieved to discover Niccolo is fine. They reflect on how the outcome could've easily been catastrophic. The next day, Jokke is called to work so Niccolo, Felix, and the boys go to Cathammer: an easier place to jump with more tracking space. Niccolo focuses on what is to come ahead and takes a leap of faith off the cliff.

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S1.E10 ∙ Episode #1.10

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

Renown waterman Niccolo Porcella is training for proximity wingsuit flying and regaining his confidence as he prepares to base jump in Cathammer. Meanwhile, wingsuit pilot, Jokke Sommer, is in Romsdal preparing for an aerial stunt for a commercial with skydiver, Bjorn Magne Bryn and wingsuit pilot, Espen Fadnes. At the cabin, Niccolo and Feliz Lorentzen find a new jump called Blue Chair and head out with wingsuit pilot, Thomas Hestad to find an exit point. After further inspection, the crew discovers Blue Chair is more for wingsuits than the tracking suits Niccolo, Felix, and Micah Couch all have. Because of this, the landing zone will be risky no matter where they choose. The experts jump first, leaving the boys to calculate a path and safe landing area. Micah jumps, negotiating a solid path and landing area which deems successful for Niccolo and Felix as well. The next day, they stop to do some charity work for ALS by diving into freezing glacier water before meeting up with Jokke at the commercial location. The stunt is being executed in unfamiliar territory and all must be in one accord to capture the moment perfectly. The time arrives for Jokke, Bjorn, and Espen to attempt the most difficult part of the stunt: Jokke and Espen flying facing one another with Bjorn coming in later and ducking with Espen. Everyone jumps but Bjorn's parachute malfunctions, leaving him with only seconds to make a series of decisions that may result in either life or death.

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S1.E11 ∙ Episode #1.11

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

In Romsdal, Norway, Jokke Sommer attempts an aerial stunt with Bjorn Bryn and Espen Fadnes but Bjorn's parachute lines get twisted, cutting off his circulation and spinning him around as he plummets to the ground but he luckily is able to cut off his main parachute and launch his reserve just in time to land safely on the ground. The incident sparks some memories for Felix Lorentzen as he reflects on having arthritis at 18 and being unable to walk or move without assistance to now proximity, wingsuit flying. Niccolo Porcella and Felix complete their last fly by in Norway and head to the next destination, Switzerland. They head to La Mousse where they attempt new stunts. Reunited with Jokke, the boys enjoy a healthy meal and then pack for the first jump of the day at Lo Ultimate. They are joined by Dominik Loyen, who will help guide them through all the tricky exit points. The team proceeds down to the exit and have a successful jump. They then unwind at a local pub and meet with another wingsuit pilot to discuss an IMax job opportunity. During the final jump at La Mousse before Jokke leaves, they are surprised by Petter Jonsson. The following morning, Niccolo and Petter back head to High Nose and despite initially having jitters, Petter has a great jump. Jokke's shoot goes very well and all stunts are executed perfectly. The crew heads back and prepares for Niccolo and Felix's first wingsuit jump.

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S1.E12 ∙ Episode #1.12

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

World class waterman, Niccolo Porcella, prepares for his first jump from a helicopter in a wingsuit. The team heads to Dumpster to get in some more base jumping training. Niccolo and Petter hike to the exit point and enjoy a beautifully executed jump. Afterwards, they head to a local helicopter rental base but weather conditions are poor. The team decides to wait it out but then Jokke receives a call and the jump is called off and news hits that another base jumper has passed. The next day, the crew heads down to Chamonix and the weather is still unfavorable. But after a couple of hours, the clouds clear up and they head to the local helicopter base. Right before they get ready to board the helicopter, the weather changes again and the jump is called off once more. Since the team is being kept out of the air, Petter, before returning back to his family, takes the crew to a wind tunnel where they're able to work on their acrobatics in free fall. The following morning, they wake up to beautiful weather and head out to execute the heli wingsuit base jump. As they reach BASE altitude, Jokke's wingsuit gets caught in the wind and he's almost thrown out of the helicopter but luckily he regroups and the boys enjoy their first helicopter wingsuit base jump. As the crew unwinds, nerves are high as Jokke's sets his eyes on his first proximity jump at the Aiguille Du Midi.

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S1.E13 ∙ Episode #1.13

Wed, Dec 31, 1969

Wingsuit pilot Jokke Sommer, gears up for his first base jump at Aiguille Du Midi. Conflicted, he approaches the exit to get a better feel for the path and with a faithful heart, he leaps off the edge. Jokke enjoys one of his most amazing flights down the mountain, basking in the stretching, breathtaking view to his landing area. As the team heads back to Lauterbrunnen, they visit the site where Ludovic Woerth died. After an emotional visit, Niccolo Porcella, Felix Lorentzen, and Jokke prepare for their final jump of the season by going over safety procedures and techniques. The weather in Lauterbrunnen is not ideal but it's their last chance at a jump this season so they head out in the helicopter. This flight is the first true proximity terrain flight for Niccolo. When they reach the correct altitude and are in the right spot, the crew jumps and fly down and around the mountain. Niccolo and Feliz do extremely well and everyone is excited and enthused. Niccolo, Jokke, and the team reminisce about everything that they have been able to accomplish this season; from Jokke's initial surf in Hawaii to Niccolo's base jumps and wingsuit piloting in Europe. They are jointly proud of the progress each other has made and the goals accomplished in these past six months. Jokke and Niccolo's friendly bond is undeniable and the adventures that lie ahead will continuously have them living on the edge, pushing the limits of the human experience.

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