They've raced through a haunted Tasmanian asylum, raced to catch cane toads in Queensland, raced to escape from an underwater crash in a helicopter simulator and now the Amazing Race contestants have raced through the splendour of a Blue Mountains slot canyon and over a wobbly Indiana Jones style rope bridge.
Blue Mountains Climbing School owner operators Hugh Ward and Bridie Campbell "breathed a sigh of relief" when the lightning fast run through stunning Empress Falls Canyon at Wentworth Falls with the Amazing Race competitors went smoothly on a wet and cold November 7 last year.
It was a daunting operation for the husband and wife pair who were hired by the production company for the day-long shoot. Ten additional local A-list adventure guides were hired to ensure the safety of the contestants in the slippery, wet conditions and specialist local adventure camera operators were enlisted.
"It was a carnival before the big day with COVID changes and quarantines, but the day itself went quite smoothly," Mr Ward said. "Half the fun was working out logistics on the blackboard in our kitchen ...and the day itself ended up being a lot of fun too," added Ms Campbell.
Running is not usually the modus operandi in a canyon. National Parks permission was sought for camera people and special rigging to remain and for guides to go in without safety gear, as other guides were inside with first aid equipment. The competitors were told to just follow their guides.
"Apparently it's not been done before ... running full pelt [with camera crews] in that canyon," Mr Ward said of the reality TV adventure. "It was good to make it a reality, safely."
While organisers were told to keep shtum on the location, it was the region's worst kept secret, with so many involved. Mr Ward decided he would look after the one-armed female adventurer and spent many hours in advance ensuring pitfalls would be avoided if she took up the challenge which finishes with a 30 metre waterfall abseil.
"I had more time mentally to prepare for that happening than the other guides we hired and I wanted to prepare for obstacles. But she was so confident on her feet. It's certainly the fastest lap I've ever done."
The company hopes it inspires more adventurers to the Mountains. They took over the long-standing climbing business in 2018 and said it was the biggest adventure they had managed.
They survived the eight week COVID business lockdown last year but had been taking steady bookings since. They will be part of another Amazing Race episode in coming weeks and are in talks with the production company about other events.
"If it brings more people to the region then great," Mr Ward said.
Lawson's Safety Access and Rescue also took part in the day rigging a spectacular rope bridge at Blackheath.
Owner director Bill Proctor, rigged the "wobbly, scary, Indiana Jones" style rope bridge at Mt Boyce. It was 45 metres off the ground and 40 metres from end to end with 600 mm timber slats between the flooring. Many contestants were knocked off, but specialist harnesses, and overhead safety lines kept them safe.
"It should look stunning when it goes to air," he said.
The show's episode aired last night (Tuesday March 16) but can be seen on 10Play.
