BY RANDI GIBBONS, Online Reporter

On Jan. 28 in the Student Union Recreation Center Theater, CWU Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals, Red Bull, Northwest Riders, and Stevens Pass sponsored the screening of the film, “McConkey: You Have One Life. Live it.”

The film is based around the incredible life of Shane McConkey, a pioneer professional skier and B.A.S.E jumper who died tragically in 2009.

Money made from a raffle during the event went to the Shane McConkey Foundation, which supports skiing pioneers in their mission to positively change the world. 

Adam Ransavage, junior marketing, worked with OPR in coordinating the event. OPR is known for hosting winter sports film screenings, but this one was different.

“McConkey felt more like a documentary than just a ski film.” Ransavage said.

The film documented McConkey’s life from the early stages to his accidental death.

Shane McConkey’s life revolved around skiing. His father and mother were both avid skiers and their love for the sport shined through their son.

Starting at the age of 7 he competitively raced in downhill skiing, until he needed something more. After seeing the film, “The Blizzard of AAHHH’s,” McConkey was inspired to embrace free-skiing.

Free-skiing is a type of skiing that involves extreme moves like jumps and tricks.

After exhausting his creativity with free-skiing McConkey took on B.A.S.E. jumping, eventually combining the two.

Besides his skiing and extreme jumping career, Shane McConkey enjoyed life with his wife and daughter. Near the end, the film portrayed the strong bond that developed between McConkey and his daughter.

“Even though he was so dedicated to his lifestyle, he made his daughter his first priority,” said Aliah Rasmussen, senior retail management.

The OPR crew was excited to give a different perspective to sports enthusiasts by showing the life story of a trailblazer and how he succeeded, rather than showing a regular sport in action.

The event resulted in inspiring partakers to push their own limits and to keep seeking what makes them happy.

“Life is short and to live every day to its fullest,” said Chris Smith, junior environmental studies.