The Ultimate Paragliding Challenge

I’ve been at home from Europe now about 2 weeks and wow, does it ever feel like an eternity. Not one hour goes by where I don’t think about where I’ll be heading next – not having a plane ticket in my hand makes me nervous.

You would think that finding a decent opportunity in paragliding would be easier, but man this is quite the little challenge. I like challenges though and so far it’s certainly been an interesting journey. Admittedly though, every day that goes by where you feel like you’re getting nowhere, you start to re-evaluate things and question if you’re making the right decision. Maybe that’s a good thing – if you’re not willing to give in so quickly then I think that means you’re on the right path.

I’ve spent countless hours at the computer over the last 2 weeks exploring options in different countries, sending e-mails, researching schools, etc. The response has been somewhat mediocre. Maybe my approach is just simply wrong…I just don’t know of another way to do it. One pilot had the balls to suggest that I ‘get cozy’ with paragliding instructors to get free lessons. What do you say to that?! If I wanted to whore myself out, I’d work as an escort or a stripper for a year and not have to work for five. I’m certainly not about to compromise my morals and standards for a couple hundred bucks worth of paragliding lessons! But hey, call me out of fashion for having a conscience.

Last week I watched the SIV course videos – some of that stuff was pretty sweet! I was surprised at how when I pulled some big asymmetric deflation they looked big on the video too! Last year I was shitting myself in the air and then looking at the videos and seeing my wing barely move. Nice to know that I’m making progress in at least one area – that’s always encouraging.

Time for bed.

Back in Canada

Well, I’m back home. Actually, I’ve been back in Calgary for a week now, but wasn’t quite ready to share that with everyone until now.

Let’s just say that things with my trip didn’t quite work out as planned…combine that with a seemingly constant stream of “bad luck” or whatever it was, and my 4 month trip got cut into 3 weeks – hence the infrequent blog postings. My dog died when I was overseas which left me completely heartbroken and was the last straw. Sometimes it seems like things are stacked against you, and you don’t know why. Making the decision to come home wasn’t easy, but I think I made the right one.

Coupe Icare was really cool. The acro demonstrations, the costumes, just the overall environment was a paraglider’s dream. I ended up buying a new harness out in Annecy, and managed to sell my old one at the festival, which was fantastic. The guys also got new harnesses so we’ll all be looking sharp next time we fly!

Unfortunately after Coupe, a huge low pressure system pushed through, bringing rain and cold weather to a massive area. Anything within 7 or 8 hours driving distance was crappy for flying, and anything beyond that was a question mark. We ended up going back to Annecy and although we got a few short flights out there, the mountains were covered in snow at high elevations, and the launch that we used the week previously where it had been +30 was also covered with the white stuff. We did get to do some of the more touristy things out there through including walking through ‘Old Annecy’.

When we got to the UK, as per usual English weather, most of the country was under rain, so we headed to the southeast portion in a town called Lewes. The first day we got there looked somewhat promising for flying, but it was soon blown out. We managed to connect with a few paraglider pilots out there which was really cool, and spent some time at 3 different launch sites. We didn’t fly, but on one of the coastal sites, a few guys did. These pilots were obviously very experienced in high winds, and it was great to watch that kind of control during takeoff and landing.

After that we spent half a day in London, which was stunning. The architecture was just amazing. It’s the kind of place where you want to take a picture of every building you walk by, it’s that pretty. We saw all the major stuff – Windsor Castle, the Parliament Buildings, Westminstor Abby, the London Eye, Big Ben, etc. so I’m happy. London is definitly a tourist haven.


The trip up until the last few days was great – I am officially in love with Annecy. I would go back to that place in a second – I think it’s my new favourite place to fly. Right now I’m doing my best to arrange something overseas again, but wow, it certainly has not been easy. I’m not giving up though – I’ll live the dream soon enough…