Brymer said the participants, while unable to control nature, were educated about conditions, and were very careful to minimize potential risks, said a QUT release.

'One thing that came up was that they realise people see them as risk-takers, but they do not see themselves that way at all, and they cited the road as a comparison, saying that crossing the road or driving was more risky,' said Brymer.

'On the road, you have no control of other factors such as other drivers, but in the natural world you are at a level doing these activities where your depth of knowledge is so vast that you can be in control, you understand the weather and the clouds, and what will happen as a result, so you can plan for that.'