"Filming the Hard Enduro Burros has taken me into some of the most incredible and intimidating riding terrain I’ve ever experienced, from the slick, moss-covered rock slabs of Vancouver Island to the massive desert ledges and technical climbs of the Southwest."
Over multiple shoots, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside some of the best hard enduro riders in the country, including Cody Webb, Trystan Hart, Ryder LeBlond, and a new generation of riders hungry to prove themselves. Every shoot brings something different, whether it’s watching Cody find a seemingly impossible trials line, seeing Trystan push the group to attempt something nobody thought was possible, or capturing a rider pick himself up after a brutal crash and give it another go. The riding is only part of the story. The personalities, friendly rivalries, laughter, and genuine respect between these guys are what make the Burros special.
As the director and filmmaker, one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that the best moments are rarely the ones you can plan. My job isn’t just to capture someone making it to the top of a gnarly line; it’s to tell the story of everything that happens along the way. The hesitation before a massive send, the encouragement from the guys standing above, the frustration of a failed attempt, and the excitement when someone finally pulls it off often make the footage far more compelling than the action alone. Filming this close to the riding also forces me to think differently. I’m constantly balancing camera angles, terrain, timing, and safety while anticipating what a rider might do next, often without a second take. I’ve learned to stay adaptable, trust my instincts, and recognize that authenticity is what makes these films resonate. You can manufacture a shot, but you can’t manufacture the camaraderie and commitment that make the Hard Enduro Burros what they are.
Having the right equipment matters when you’re scrambling over rocks, hiking up steep terrain, and spending long days chasing riders through the mountains and desert. That’s where our USWE gear is part of the experience, helping us carry the essentials and stay focused on getting the shot instead of worrying about our equipment. When the action is unfolding in front of you, there’s no time to head back to the truck or reset everything for another take. Ultimately, these shoots have taught me that Hard Enduro Burros is about much more than extreme riding. It’s about documenting a community that pushes each other to improve, takes on challenges together, and finds a way to laugh even when things go sideways. As a filmmaker, getting to tell those stories is what makes this project so rewarding, and every shoot leaves me looking forward to the next one.
Without water you won’t last long. The 110% most underrated piece of gear that I bring with me EVERY day that I’m out riding is a Sawyer water filter. Tiny footprint and fits easily in my Moto Hydro 4 or the Zulu. Cheap, lightweight, and quick to deploy where you don't event need to remove anything but your bite valve and then use the barb on the end of the filter to feed freshly filtered water right into the pack bladder directly. It has saved my bacon MANY TIMES!
The best moments can’t be scripted. Plan your shots, but stay ready for the unexpected. The most compelling footage often comes from the genuine reactions, friendly rivalries, failed attempts, and celebrations that happen between the big moments. Don’t rush to put the camera away between spots. Linger and keep your eyes open. Literally right when the camera goes away the biggest moments happen sometimes!
Build trust with your athletes. When riders understand your vision and trust you to represent them well, they’ll help you get the insane shots we’re looking for. That relationship creates opportunities to capture more authentic moments without forcing the action. As a filmmaker I never try to come up with super risky lines for the sake of filming. I try to let the athletes dream up a line that they are fully capable and confident in hitting. I might massage the angle or ask for something to be tweaked but generally speaking when it comes to the big risky lines, they gotta dream those up!
Adapt to the terrain, not the other way around. From slick, moss-covered rocks on Vancouver Island to muddy East Coast forests and dusty desert slabs, every environment presents different challenges. Be ready to change your camera positions, lens choices, and approach as conditions evolve. Filming hard enduro is super hard due to the challenging access. You basically gotta be able to ride at a super high level to get in to some of these zones… so off bike and on bike training is imperative to me.
Capture the story, not just the send. A successful climb is impressive, but the hesitation beforehand, the advice from another rider, the frustration of a failed attempt, and the excitement of finally making it all give the audience a reason to care. The human moments are what turn action footage into a story. I always mic the riders and try to get those raw human driven moments.
Prepare your gear, then stay flexible. Remote locations, unpredictable action, and heavy camera equipment leave little room for mistakes. Reliable equipment and an efficient setup—including our USWE packs allow the riders to carry what they need to survive the day and for mounting rider POV cameras. They stay light and nimble with the Moto Hydro 4 and 8 to help keep the production moving so I can focus on capturing the moments that matter. You won’t find me on a shoot without my USWE Zulu waist pack because when my camera bag comes off, I still have the essenstials and water too for all the extensive hiking that goes into capturing an epic shot!
