Nitro Circus motorcylist - She's fearless

Jolene Van Vugt is the only woman in the world travelling around doing dirt bike flips.

Flying upside down on her dirt bike is all in a days’ work for female daredevil Jolene Van Vugt, writes Rachel Bache

Jolene Van Vugt could easily be considered one of the craziest women in the world.

The Canadian motorcyclist is the only female member of Nitro Circus, the team of adrenaline junkies - or "action sport collective" - who perform death-defying stunts all around the world.

As well as being a cast member of the group's television show, Van Vugt, 34, tours with the boys on Nitro Circus Live. She has also made her way into the Guinness world records several times for her extreme feats and is the first female to perform a backflip on a full-sized dirt bike.

Breaking into the movie world, Van Vugt featured in The Dark Knight Rises as Anne Hathaway's Catwoman stunt-double.

The Nitro Circus Live show is coming to New Zealand at the end of the month to wow audiences in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin.

We caught up with Van Vugt to talk about her Nitro Circus experiences.

How did you first get started with riding bikes and trying dangerous stunts?

I've been around bikes my whole life, my dad and brother had been racing since I was little girl. I naturally just wanted to ride and be like them.

How would you describe the Nitro Circus Live show?

It's the most amazing action sports show created with the best athletes from all over the world. We love what we do and people love watching us perform some of the craziest tricks in the world.

What is the hardest thing about being on the Nitro Circus team?

The hardest thing is the injuries. Injuries come with this territory and it's not the easiest thing to have to sit out, or not be a part of what's happening.

And what is the best?

Travelling the world with my best friends, riding my dirt bike and being able to call that my job.

Do you have a favourite stunt you like to perform in the show?

My favourite to perform, just 'cause it's a good laugh, is the Barbie car jump. But I most definitely love getting to perform a dirt bike backflip for everyone, just because there's no other girl in the world travelling around doing that.

Some of the stunts you do are pretty dangerous, don't you get scared?

There's always some level of fear when it comes to performing any type of the stunt. We know there are always consequences to what we do and we want to make sure that we are able to perform a stunt well and do a good job. I was the most scared when Travis Pastrana and I performed a tandem jump into the Grand Canyon on a street bike.

How do you overcome the fear when it comes to doing these stunts?

I feel like there are two types of people in this world people: some that succumb to their fear and never push through it. Then there are people like us on the Nitro Circus tour that keep going to experience the unknown and the possibilities of what is to come.

Are there any stunts you want to try but haven't done yet?

This past year was a pretty big year for me in doing multiple stunts that I had on the bucket list, and I feel pretty accomplished about getting them done. So I am not too sure about what's to come. I will have to create a new list.

How does being with Nitro Circus compare to being a stunt person on movies like The Dark Knight Rises?

Being a part of the Nitro Circus crew and doing Hollywood stunts are two completely different experiences and jobs. I love being a part of both of them very much.

What was it like working with Anne Hathaway and other members of the cast on the film?

My experience on Dark Knight Rises was a dream come true for sure - I always wanted to be doing stunts for the main cast in Hollywood films - being Catwoman as my first big job was definitely a huge honour. They were all awesome, super kind and friendly.

Van Vugt was also stunt double for Anna Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises

Although the world of motocross is male dominated are you seeing a rise in young girls wanting to get into it?

There are definitely younger girls getting more into action sports these days because they are able to see the older generations making it possible. I believe also that the parents are making it more accessible for their kids nowadays.

What advice would you give to those girls who want to follow in your footsteps?

It's definitely not an easy road, it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and durability, but the rewards are so great and so epically awesome that if it's something you want, stick with it.

Lowdown

Who: Jolene Van Vugt of Nitro Circus
What: Nitro Circus Live
When and where: Westpac Stadium, Wellington January 24; Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, January 30; QBE Stadium, Auckland, February 1, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, February 6

See nitrocircus.com for more details and tickets

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