Cross Country Travel Guide 2019

KEA2















































Real size

performance


light

CANARY ISLANDS







Islands in the Stream
Looking for reliable flying with easy logistics?
Check out the Canary Islands. The local

tourism department is investing in a rebrand,
promoting activity holidays and the free-flying
infrastructure is getting a boost.
Accommodation is easy, getting there and
away is cheap, and the Atlantic trade winds
will guarantee you weather conditions you
can set your clock by. Each island has its own
flavour of flying, from the beginner-friendly
Gran Canaria to acro heaven El Hierro (see
Théo de Blic’s Acro World on p68).
It’s not only paragliding either, hang gliders
have long flown here, taking advantage of the

strong winds, smooth air and steep coastal
cliffs to rack up hours of impressive flying.
Paramotors will find themselves at home too.
You can fly here all year, but autumn
through to spring is most consistent. So if the
sky is looking grey where you are, head to the
blue in the Canaries.
flyincanarias.com/theflyingislands
Photo: Christian Fernández del Valle




Gran Canaria

There are seven main islands in the Canaries.
Gran Canaria is the third largest. It has
the roomy take-offs and gentle laminar
conditions that make it ideal for low airtime
pilots and complete beginners. There are
schools teaching to the Spanish, German and
Italian certification, with some instructors
able to give tuition in English.
The 40m training hill at Las Coloradas

will get you in the air with your first bunny
hops, then it’s off to Giles and Giles North at
200m for simple soaring. Instructors boast
that students can get through a whole set
of course exercises in a day, and complete
beginners clock up 10 hours’ soaring in their
first 10 days. With massive take-off areas,
launch is low stress, even if busy. Students

can learn to top-land easily here.
The wind blows steady 90% of days,
and when it’s from the wrong direction
alternative take-offs will get you airborne.
flyincanarias.com
Photo: Christian Fernández del Valle




52 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 CANARIES

Local guide Christian Fernandez del Valle gives us the lowdown on this classic European winter getaway





Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest island. Pilots here
boast it has more flyable days than any

other location in the northern hemisphere.
The volcanic peak of the island, Mt Teide
(3,718m), creates a huge south-facing
protected lee-side ideal for XC. The island
is only 80km wide, so you won’t set a world
record, but it is thought-provoking and
skill-improving technical flying. The north
(other) face of Teide is ideally shaped for long
soaring XC flights in the NE trade winds.
Morning and evenings offer a unique
flight. The Izana launch at 2,200m and only
15km from the coast provides an easy glide

to the beach. Cloud is common, so a compass
is compulsory (and check out the specific
rules about photography over the National
Park). Most of the time the flight from Izana
is a 20-minute sled ride, but sometimes the
evening inversion can take you to 4,000m to
sit you on top of the whole island.
flyincanarias.com, para42.com
Photo: Christian Fernández del Valle




Lanzarote and
Fuerteventura

Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are the closest
to the Moroccan coast, and the wind funnels
fastest over these two long thin islands.
This makes them suited for hang gliding.
Fuerteventura has some take-offs and
fantastic conditions, but no local HG pilots.
There are wide open fields dotted around for
landings, and slopes of all profiles for take-

offs if you’re willing to explore and pioneer.
Lanzarote on the other hand is easy for
hang glider pilots, with direct flights to
almost everywhere in Europe. The island
also has established HG launches at a range
of heights so you can adapt your take-off
plan to fit the day’s wind strength. The most
popular, Famara, is a 420m take-off just a few

metres from the car park and is big enough
for 60 pilots. The flying is mostly dynamic,
along the coastal ridge that runs most of the
length of the 60km island. World class.
flylanzarote.com
Photo: Christian Fernández del Valle





CANARIES CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 53

Paramotoring
On days when it’s not blowing in
Fuerteventura, the second largest island

in the group, it’s a stunning location for
paramotoring. The rocky desert-like
landscape is like nowhere else in Europe. In a
couple of hour’s motoring you can overfly 20
volcanoes (the last eruption was 4,000-5,000
years ago) and cruise along silky beaches,
breaking up the journey with stops.
There is a big motoring scene in
Fuerteventura (which literally translates from
Spanish to “Big fortune”), like there is in
mainland Spain, with about 30 pilots. Some
fly some pretty beefy machines. Because

of the wind it’s advisable to bring a small
wing and bigger motor if you’re skilled and
confident enough to join the locals on the
windier days, otherwise wait for the calmer
days. Across the islands alternative activities
include hiking, biking, wind surfing, water
sports and diving – no reason to get bored.
flyincanarias.com
Photo: Christian Fernández del Valle




La Palma

If you’re looking to combine a relaxing
family holiday with the chance to do some
paragliding, then La Palma, one of the smaller
islands, is the easiest option.
There are all the usual trappings of a
de-stressing beach holiday with hip bars, sun-
loungers and infinity pools to keep the family
happy. But there is also flying – just as relaxed,
with stress-free conditions.

La Palma’s 2,400m peaks rise out of the sea
steeply. This creates a cosy protected leeside
for gentle thermal flying, and a soaring ridge
on the other side. School and club shuttles
to take-off leave from the heart of the tourist
hotel area so it’s a convenient walk to pick up
your ride. Launch is only 240m so you won’t
spend long in the back of the bus.

In the air you can work your way up on the
wall behind to over 1,000m to start exploring,
or simply cruise back down to land on the
beach at Puerto Naos for a pina colada.
flyincanarias.com
Photos: Marcus King




54 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 CANARIES

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TURKEY





























































Ölüdeniz

This small resort, at the foot of 1,969m
Babadag mountain, is a global magnet for
SIV students and acro pilots. Launch from
one of five launches (at 1,200m, 1,700m,
1,800m, 1,900m and 2,000m) and by the time
you’re over the ocean you could still have
over a mile of air between you and the water.
The drive up takes 45 minutes, but there
are plans for a cable car that will link (by

2020) the summit with the main road outside
town. A new chairlift already connects the
main launch at 1,700m with those further up.
Expect both launch and landing to be busy,
and ensure you have a lifejacket and a rescue
boat if you’re flying manoeuvres. You’ll also
need to register in town to get your pilot’s
card and pay a small national park fee every

time you bus it up to launch. For all the
essentials, including shuttles, contact one
of the many tandem operators in town. Sky
Sports has a good reputation.
skysports-turkey.com
Photo: Dora Göksal




56 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 TURKEY

Turkey has it all, says PWC pilot Dora Göksal. He shares his favourite sites with Matt Warren





Çameli
Çameli (Yaylacik mountain), in Denizli
province, has been operating as an official

site for around five years and hosted the 2018
Turkish Pre-Paragliding World Cup. About
90 minutes’ drive from Ölüdeniz, the 2,100m
mountain is accessible by road and offers
well-kept launches in most wind directions.
As well as the main, higher take-off, there
are also new, lower launch sites at 150m
and 250m AGL. This makes it a suitable
destination for pilots of all levels.
It works from February to October, with
the best conditions for XC hounds in May,
June, late August and September. While the

majority of the big flights have been to the
north, it is also possible to fly large triangles
to the south or directly to Ölüdeniz and the
coast, where you will meet the sea breeze.
Take-off can get rough on the best days so
aim to launch early and keep a keen eye out
for dust devils.


Photo: Dora Göksal




Narli

In southeast Turkey, close to the Syrian
border (stick with us), is Narli (Kardelen hill),
the destination for experienced pilots seeking
stupendous flatland flying with an eye on the
national open distance record – currently
344km from this site. In fact, in June 2014
nine Turkish pilots flew over 300km from
here, changing the “psychological boundary”
of pilots in Turkey forever.

Close to the big cities of Kahramanmaraş
and Gaziantep, which both have daily flights
to Ankara and Istanbul, Narli is a small site,
accessible by road. It is best flown in W/
NW, flying east with base up to 5,500m. Best
season for long XC is late May to mid-July.
Accidentally crossing the border into Syria
is a possibility, so it is essential you always

know exactly where you are. In a N/NW
wind you fly roughly parallel to the border.
In brief, stay north of the major highway and
seek expert local advice before flying XC.


Photo: Dora Göksal





TURKEY CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 57

Aksaray
Slap bang in the middle of Turkey, Aksaray
(Hasan mountain) hosted the Paragliding

World Cup in 2018 and offers access to some
epic flatland flying – and the mountains
beyond. On a dormant 3,000m volcano, the
take-off is at 1,950m ASL – about 500m
above the flatlands below. A road leads
from nearby Aksaray – which has plenty of
accommodation options and is 75 minutes
from Nevşehir Cappadocia airport – to
launch. The drive takes 45 mins. Launch
faces N/NW.
Strong meteo winds are rare, but if it is
strong, you can get blown back into the

caldera, which isn’t active but is far from
ideal. There is a second, 200m launch on a
nearby hill which can take a S. Also nearby
are the fairytale landscapes of Cappadocia.
Fly NW and you can view from above the
Ilhara valley, Ürgüp, Göreme and Avanos, all
within 50km. Best time is May to September.


Photo: John Stapels




Ayaş

To the west of the Turkish capital, Ankara,
Ayaş (Kumludoruk hill) was the starting point
for a flurry of 200km and 300km flights last
summer as pilots from around the country
travelled to the area to take advantage of a
period of peak conditions. In general, it offers
excellent flatland XC potential, particularly to
the south – the site record stands at 328.8km
The west-facing take-off, accessible via

a dirt road and about an hour’s drive from
Ankara, is about 300m above ground level and
conditions are optimal (and smooth) from late
June until early September.
There is a large, friendly paragliding
community to Ankara and, through them,
arranging transportation, site briefings and
retrieves is relatively simple.
Photo: Dora Göksal



For more information on any of these sites,
contact Turkish competition pilot Dora
Göksal who will put you in touch with the
best local contacts: [email protected]




58 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 TURKEY

Tenerife “



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PYRAMIDS


OF GIZA



ilots have been trying to gain permission to fly around
and above the Pyramids of Giza for years – and in 2018
Pit finally happened. Emilia Plak worked with Egypt’s
Sky Sports, a local company owned by four pilots, to win all the
permissions needed. The Pyramids are not only an internationally
important archaeological site, they also sit on the very edge
of Cairo, a sprawling city of 20m people. And of course they
see millions of tourists a year. So there are multiple layers of
bureaucracy to negotiate.
Emilia and Sky Sports are organising four dates in 2019 when
pilots will again have the chance to fly the pyramids. Pilots must

be licensed and have a minimum of 100 hours.
Each trip will last four days, and pilots must bring their motor
as luggage as shipping paramotors into Egypt ahead of time is not
possible. Alternatively there are some motors available to rent.
Flying is allowed between 7am-11am; afternoons are usually too
windy. Each group is limited to a maximum of 20 pilots. The price
for this opportunity is $1,000, which includes accommodation,
airport transfer (including a helper at the airport dedicated to
helping you get your machine through customs), equipment

storage and security, and three flying days. Dates for 2019 are 15-
19 Feb, late June, 5-9 September and 5-9 December.
Contact Emilia ([email protected]) or Hany Shaker
([email protected]) from Sky Sports in Egypt by email
to reserve your slot.
Photo: Jeff Hamann




60 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 EGYPT

EGYPT CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 61

NORTH AMERICAN COMPS







Applegate Open
Formerly known as the “Rat Race” in Ruch,
Oregon the Applegate Open is now operated

by the local flying club and is a US Nationals
series competition. The flying site in SW
Oregon is not far from the Pacific coast, is
surrounded by some of the more famous
whitewater rivers in the country and is well
protected from wind that often makes flying
in the US west tricky.
It is not unusual to have a task every day
of the comp but what makes the Applegate
Open special is that it is designed for pilots
new to comps. There are three categories: the
“Race” for experienced pilots, the “Sprint” for

intermediate pilots who don’t feel like they are
ready for aggressive gaggles or comp wings
and the “Clinic” designed for very low hour
pilots. Daily talks are given before launch by
the most experience pilots and the club is
terrific at organising fun events at wineries
around the valley.
15-22 June 2019, wingsoverapplegate.org
Photo: Nick Greece / Text: Gavin McClurg




US PG Open, Chelan

Chelan is the most-anticipated race of the
season in the Americas. The reasons are
many. Reliable conditions make most days
taskable and the route choices are endless.
The Chelan Butte launch can be hot and
intimidating, but once you are away lake
Chelan stretches 70km up into spectacular
Cascade Mountain tiger country to the
west, the mighty Colombia River churns

below and the “Flats” stretch out all the way
to neighboring Idaho across the dazzling
Palouse to the east.
Big FAI triangles will take you through
a dust devil maze over Mars-like terrain,
monster downwinders reward patience
(over 60 pilots made goal here in the longest
task in paragliding history in 2016 with a

226km race to goal), and super technical and
interesting routes into the mountains are all
possibilities. The Pre-PWC in Chelan in 2017
sold out in 18 hours so mark your calendar!
6-13 July 2019, www.300peaks.com
Photos: Nick Greece / Text: Gavin McClurg




62 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 NORTH AMERICA

Sign up to a competition and explore the best of what’s on offer in the USA and beyond





Green Swamp Klassic
This a Sport Class only competition, with
more advanced mentors on hand to help

small groups of pilot learn more about the
art of flying cross country and competing.
The weather in Florida becomes soarable
from late February, so this is the perfect
opportunity to kickstart your season.
It’s an aerotow comp, with live tracking,
and the sign-up fee includes all your tows
plus the usual T-shirt, maps, day prizes,
parties and barbecues. A maximum of 80
pilots take part. In 2018 each day saw a
task of between 40km and 60km, taking
advantage of any tailwind, to make a

straightforward and relatively easy task.
Green Swamp is the year’s first US HG
competition, the first of six in the year. April
sees Quest Air Nationals in Florida (week
one and two), followed by the East Coast
Hang Gliding Championships in June.
23-30 Mar 2019, airtribune.com
ushpa.org/page/competition-calendar
Photo: Dave Aldrich




Big Spring

Prove yourself in Big Spring, Texas, one
of the best cross-country hang gliding
competition flying sites in the world. As
organisers say: “We usually fly big distances
every day so be prepared physically. This
is not Europe.” By big they mean 150km-
300km tasks, with the record being a 346km
monster that saw 100 pilots in goal.
This is August, and it’s hot, with cloudbase

between 2,000m and 3,600m. Expect
cloudbase up to 5 m/s. Launching is from a
vast airfield by aerotow and it starts when the
inversion breaks and the cu’s start to pop at
about midday. Tasks start at around 2pm and
thermal activity lasts until 7pm.
After launch you will be flying across
sparsely populated farm country with lots of

options for landings. If the task doesn’t bring
you back to base, the light southerly flow will
take you north. All hang gliders are welcome:
Sport, Open, Swift, Rigid.
10-17 August, airtribune.com
Photo: Tim Meaney





NORTH AMERICA CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 63

Valle de Bravo

When the weather is cold in the USA and
even colder in Europe, join the annual
migration to the beautiful lakeside town of
Valle de Bravo, three hours from Mexico City.
The flying here is legendary, the weather in
January consistent and near perfect, and the
infrastructure built for free flight.
The Monarca Open (13-20 Jan) is the must-
do for paraglider pilots, with many returning

year after year to hone their skills for the year
ahead. For hang glider pilots, the six-year-old
El Peñon Classic Race, meet directed by
Mitch Shipley, happens later in the year, from
24 February to 2 March. The Classic is a Sport
Class event, with the emphasis on achievable
tasks of between 40km to 65km. Skills clinics
will be held alongside it.

Valle de Bravo has hosted PWC Superfinals
and FAI Hang Gliding World Championships,
and it always delivers. Go discover why it’s
special down Mexico way.
airtribune.com
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint




64 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 NORTH AMERICA

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PANAJACHEL,


GUATEMALA



f you are looking to chill and reconnect then this is for you.
There are a few sites around Lake Atitlan in the Guatemalan
IHighlands, but Panajachel, or Pana, is the main one. Flyable
all year, the best time is mid-March to Mid-May, dry season
in Central America. The North wind abates, and the Pacific
southerlies take over. There is a small window in December too.

Flying in Pana requires a hike-and-fly mindset and is for
intermediate pilots and above. The flight is quite simple, but
because the wind often changes and strengthens, the landing, next
to a river mouth, can be tricky.
The scene is laidback. Travel around the lake is by boat, and
each small town has a different feel. Land close to the pier, and get
on a boat to spend the night in San Marcos de la Laguna for great
food and music, or continue to San Pedro where the party is ON.

Volcanoes around the lake offer big overnight hike-and-fly
adventures: the photo shows Cade Palmer flying from 3,535m
Volcano Atitlan back to the lake. Accommodation ranges from
backpacker to boutique. Eat, yoga, discover Maya culture, and fly.
realworldparagliding.jimdo.com
Photo and text: Jorge Atramiz




66 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 GUATEMALA

GUATEMALA CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 67

ACRO WORLD







Organyà, Spain
Organyà is well known as the magic
mountain, or the world’s best acro site, so

in any list of the world’s best acro spots you
have to include it. The best period is usually
from the beginning of June to the end of
August. Although earlier in the spring also
works it is also really unstable, so you can
get a lot of thunderstorms. September can
also be good but the famous restitution is
often missing.
Pilots tend to think Organyà is only for
acro pilots, but it is actually a really nice spot
for beginner and intermediate pilots as well.
A typical day starts at around noon with

strong thermals and usually slightly turbulent
and windy conditions. But at around 4pm the
restitution starts and this is then as smooth a
place as you could find, with lift everywhere.
Accommodation is easy: camp or rent an
apartment. It is usually quite cheap and you
can expect to spend really little money there.
parapentorganya.net
Photos: Laurent Merle




Chamonix, France

If you are planning a flying trip in France
Chamonix definitely should be on your
bucket list. Who would not dream of flying
in front of Europe’s highest peak?
Chamonix rarely disappoints. It is pretty
easy to fly here, although you have to take
care: the valley breeze can be strong and
storms can develop quickly. For acro you also
have to take care of your acro box, which is

sometimes not so easy to find.
Mornings are usually calm and good for
beginners while afternoons offer generous
thermals. For acro the Brevent cable car is
extremely efficient; sometimes we do 20
flights a day. Chamonix is flyable all year long
although the cable car closes in November.
Accommodation is easy but can be

expensive; try the lower valleys for a much
cheaper stay. Look out for the free bus called
Le Mulet that passes the landing and can
drop you at the cable cars. Pretty useful.
chamonix.com/parapente,38,fr.html
Photo: Théo de Blic




68 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 ACRO SITES

Acro guru Théo de Blic shares his favourite places to fly and train





Vérel, Chambéry, FR
Vérel is not the most well-known flying spot
in France, but I think it can be considered the

best acro spot in France and one of the best
in Europe, after Organyà.
Although the altitude for your runs is
lower (400m) you can get back up quickly
through strong thermals and it is pretty
efficient. One of the amazing thing about
Vérel is that you can also fly XC on your acro
glider by following the cliffs. Conditions are
strong enough for you to travel a great deal
and you can top-land in many places.
Flyable from February to October it is a
full west face, so expect to be flying from

2pm to 10pm in summer. It is not suitable for
beginners though as the cliff take-off can be
tricky with a strong thermal immediately off
in front of launch.
Chambéry is one of the cheapest places
in the Alps for accommodation, with lots of
camping. It’s a 15-minute walk to take-off.
zeleph.com
Photos:Vigi Rodier




Lago di Garda, Italy

One of the most famous Italian spots
for flying and acro in particular. In the
Dolomites, it is one of the highest places
there is where you can practise acro above
a lake: you have 1,700m altitude difference
between landing and take-off.
It is flyable all year, as long as the cable car
is open. However, I would advise avoiding
high season as the cable car gets very busy

with tourists and wait-times get too long –up
to 90 minutes at peak times.
Early morning the north wind is pretty
strong and you usually have to wait for it to
drop before flying at around 10am-12noon.
Later on the valley breeze can get pretty
strong, but the landing is quite easy.
The site is totally suitable for beginners,

although always take care that the wind is
not too strong. Accommodation can get
tricky in high season as well as expensive, but
in low season it’s easy.
tandemparagliding.eu
Photos:Théo de Blic





ACRO SITES CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 69

El Hierro, Spain
El Hierro is only a few years old in the acro
scene, but for the top pilots it has become a

yearly pilgrimage. The flying conditions are
amazing and can be really strong, even for
small acro gliders.
The island has several take-offs. The best
for acro is Sabinosa. Here it can be flyable
all day long, from 9am to 8pm, and this
definitely makes it the most efficient place on
Earth that we know of right now.
However, conditions can get pretty
tricky, even for the top acro pilots, with low
cloudbase, really strong wind and a non-
existent acro box. If you want to train there

you have to be confident about your skills
as well as attentive to the conditions around
you. It is not the place for acro beginners.
Make sure you have your speedbar
working, and a compass. Life in general is
pretty cheap and the people are super nice.
Renting a car is a necessity.
flyelhierro.com/en
Photo: Marcus King




Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier is well known as one of the most
expensive ski stations on Earth, but as it
turns out it is also one of the most efficient
and easy spots for training acro in winter.
Indeed, this is one of the highest spots I
know for acro runs: with sometimes over
1,600m AGL in the acro box. However, the
box is pretty small so you have to be careful.
The scenery is breath taking and thermals

start early in the season (January). It also
works in summer. A day pass is not too
expensive, although buy food and essentials
outside the valley if you plan to stay.
Beginners have many possibilities for
take-offs and landings which makes it an
easy place to fly. Finding accommodation in
Verbier is easy so long as your bank account

is full. Otherwise the whole area is super
expensive. However, if you pass by for a day
make sure to stop; it is only 90 minutes’ drive
from Chamonix.
flyverbier.ch
Photo: Verbier.ch




70 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 ACRO SITES

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IQUIQUE, CHILE



quique is Chile’s best known flying site. Locals boast of 360
flyable days a year, although peak season is southern summer
Ifrom October to late February. It’s suitable for all pilots, from
beginner to expert, and indeed you will find many expert acro
pilots finessing their skills here, often for weeks at a time.
The draw is the predictable conditions and easy logistics. The

port city of Iquique has a coastal desert climate, and is one of
the driest cities in the world. The main launch, Alto Hospicio
(pictured), sits 500m above Iquique and is easily reached by bus.
Beginners should launch early to make the most of the morning,
before landing on the beach at Playa Brava before the wind and
thermals grow stronger at about 1pm. Groundhandle for hours
then head back up for an evening session. Pilots who can deal with
the stronger conditions can often fly all day.

It’s not only acro or coastal soaring, you can fly XC along the
coast. Battling the wind and leesides as you hop from spur to spur
makes it a unique challenge. To explore further, join a trip to the
4,000m high altiplano and volcanic landscape of northern Chile.
iquiqueparagliding.com
Photo: Alfred Jürgen Westermeyer/Red Bull Content Pool




72 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 CHILE

CHILE CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 73

SOUTH AMERICA







Colombia’s Hot Spots
Colombia is a travel hotspot, and rightly so.
This magnificent country takes in Andean

mountains, Amazon jungle and Caribbean
coastline in one beautiful sweep.
The first stop for paraglider pilots is
Roldanillo, in the Cauca Valley. This broad
agricultural valley is defined by two ranges of
hills, providing a beguiling mix of mountain
and flatland flying with several flying sites.
Roldanillo has the most pilot-friendly
infrastructure for independent pilots.
If you are looking to rack up hours of
airtime, finessing thermalling and top-landing
skills, then Bucaramanga further north is the

perfect spot. With a hostel on the launch, you
can’t get closer to take-off.
Don’t take off in the backwind at Rolda (it’s
dangerous), avoid those juicy looking (diesel-
powered) sugarcane-fire thermals and carry
your helmet when hitching – the motorbikes
are more likely to pick you up.
cloudbasecolombia.com, thenesthostel.com
Photo: Jorge Atramiz




Peru’s Urban Jungle

Whether you are travelling through on a
longer journey, or flying in and out of Lima
on a trip to the Andes, make time to visit and
fly the unique site that is Miraflores. Because
while much of this city of nine million
people is urban sprawl, this coastal section
is a breath of fresh air. The site became
pilot-famous years ago, when photographs
of soaring tandems brushing a wingtip on

the glass front of the Marriott hotel were
first published. Now taking a tandem flight
here is a regular “must-do” on TripAdvisor’s
noticeboards.
Launch is a small grassy urban park. Below
it is a four-lane highway, so make sure there
is a soaring wind before you fly here. For solo
pilots it can be intimidating as the tandem

businesses take precedent, but show your
licence, make friends and you’ll soon be in
the sky for one of South America’s most
unique free-flying experiences.
aeroxtreme.com
Photo: Loren Cox




74 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 SOUTH AMERICA

South America offers flying for everyone, from golden beaches to 6,000m mountains





Castelo’s Jurassic Park
Castelo in Brazil will blow your mind.
Generous 3m/s thermals will take you to

2,000m cloudbase, from where you will look
down on the Jurassic Park-like landscape
below. Rocky monoliths rise out of the forest,
while rolling fields cover the valleys. The sky
is blue and dotted with perfect cu’s.
Getting here is a colourful adventure, it’s
160km from the nearest airport at Vitoria so
there will be buses and taxis. The take-offs
are at Rampa de Uba (W-NE) and Apeninos
(SE-SW). Both are 30km from Castelo on a
track; arrange a collective shuttle from town.
In the air, expect to fly circuits of 50-

100km using strong thermals. Sea breeze
can affect it, leading to complex convergence
lines. Not a place for beginners, but heaven
for the experienced. If there is a comp here,
sign up and get all the logistics taken care of.
Or get in touch with English-speaking guide
Steve Barton.
xcbrazil.com
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint




Rio’s Open Arms

There is something life-affirming about Rio
de Janeiro. It’s the mix of the extraordinary
physical geography – all those granite
monoliths, the tropical forest, the Atlantic
Ocean, the acres of beaches, the blue sky …
and then it’s packed with amazing people.
The flying site is south of Ipanema in the
suburb of São Conrado. Take the metro, bus
or Uber to get there. Sign up at the flying

club, and then grab a ride up the hill in a
beach buggy to launch. The launch is unique:
hang gliders thump off the ramp; paragliders
take off in front and below it. A marshall
keeps things sweet.
In the air the XC to do is a technical
30km to the statue of Christ and back, but
conditions for this are quite rare. If it’s not

on, then flying the mountainside, with the
favela of Rocinha below, is eye-popping
enough. Land on the beach in front of the
clubhouse. Squeeze extra lime in your beer.
www.cscvl.com.br
Photo: Nader Couri





SOUTH AMERICA CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 75

Bolivia’s Mountains
Bolivia is a traveller’s dream – you can be in
the tropical jungle lowlands in the morning

tracking jaguars and on the freezing cold
4,000m altiplano by the afternoon. Higher
still, the snow-capped mountains tower to
over 6,000m – you can drive to the base of
many of them before trekking higher.
If you are here with your glider you
will most likely be travelling through or
embarking on some sort of adventure travel.
The flying scene is more remote and rugged
than Colombia or Brazil. However, there are
lots of trekking agencies in the main towns
and cities like Sucre, Cochabamba and La

Paz (where the site is south of the city in
Huajchilla) where you can talk to local guides
and organise transport or support.
Look out for the unique experience of
soaring the “sea breeze” off high altitude Lake
Titicaca in the small town of Copacabana on
the border with Peru, too.
andesxtremo.com
Photo: Ueli Neuenschwander and Thomas Rüesch




Patagonia’s Epic Sky

In the north of Patagonia San Carlos de
Bariloche, Bariloche for short, is a picturesque
Argentinian tourist town that has been
drawing visitors for decades. The city sits
on the edge of a large lake – Lake Nahuel
Huapi extends 70km to the northwest – on
the eastern slopes of the Andes. In winter
Bariloche is one of Argentina’s biggest winter
ski resorts, in summer the climate is hot, dry

and windy.
Almost exactly 100km due south is another
outdoor mountain town based around a lake.
El Bolson retains some of its hippie vibe from
the 1970s, attracting high-spending Argentine
tourists as well as international backpackers.
There are paragliding and tandem scenes
in both laid-back resorts, and you can easily

base yourself at one or the other to fly the
surrounding area. However, the classic route
for ambitious XC pilots is to connect the two.
Prepare well as landing out can be remote.
facebook.com/parapente.bolson
Photo: Parapente Bolson




76 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 SOUTH AMERICA



THE SERTÃO,


BRAZIL



ike the South in the USA, Brazil’s Sertão has no fixed
borders, and yet it is a region rich in history and culture.
LYou know it when you’re there. It covers much of Brazil’s
northeast, a semi-arid landscape dotted with towns and villages
connected by dusty roads and hours of travel. Land out and the
sun beats down mercilessly. The locals meanwhile invite you into

their homes and embrace you and your mission to their hearts.
The free-flying site of Quixadá is well-known as a jumping-off
point for flights up to 450km here. Its world record crown may
have been taken by the tricky site of Tacima further southeast, but
it is still the place to come if you want to fly far.
Chasing records however is now a different game. Towing has
taken off. Tour guide Fly With Andy showed the potential first in
2017, when a gaggle of Swiss paraglider pilots flew 500km in an

attempt to break the world record. The year after, the Brazilians
established their own long-distance tow camp. Neither got the
record. For the Oct/Nov 2019 season then, the game is now on to
be the first to fly more than 600k. Can you even imagine it?
flywithandy.com, pedradosventos.com.br
Photo: Felix Wölk




78 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 SERTÃO

SERTÃO CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 79

INSIDER’S GUIDE TO… AUSTRALIA





















































































odfrey Wenness established Mount Borah in Manilla, New What can the first-time visitor expect?
South Wales, Australia as an international flying destination A user-friendly, easy-to-fly, safe site, with a ride-to-launch service.
G20 years ago when he bought the site and set a world record. You can fly XC almost anywhere, in every direction, without airspace
It now sees 2,000 pilots a year, drawn by the promise of textbook or terrain restrictions. The XC region is easy with great roads and
flatland XC. We asked him for his insight on flying here and beyond. helpful farmers. It’s not remote. Mobile phone coverage is good too.


Godfrey, what makes Manilla so good? Who flies there?
The main attraction is the launch. Mount Borah is a very practical The Manilla Sky Sailors Club sees about 2,000 visitors a year. Half

mountain with four sides, so you can nearly always take off into the are from overseas: UK, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, USA, Japan,
main wind directions. Having large launches makes it less congested and China.
during peak times, and adds a safety factor. The landings are all easy
to reach, so rides from the bombout are only 10 minutes. What are conditions typically like?
Mount Borah is not too high either, so it doesn’t get blown out too From October to March base ranges from 2,000m to 3,500m, with
often. But it’s also high enough to give you a few chances to get up. occasional 4,000m days in November. Thermal strength varies due


80 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 AUSTRALIA

Infrastructure, sunshine and clouds to the horizon. Australia’s Godfrey Wenness introduces Manilla and more





What are your tips for pilots who want to fly 100km?
Take it easy. Too many pilots are in a rush if it’s a good day and then
find they’ve used too much speedbar, or they get too confident after

two or three hours and don’t read the clouds right, especially on days
where base is below 2,500m.


What about 200km?
The difference between a 100k and 200k day is that usually 200km
flights are flown by pilots who can stay in the air for six or seven
hours. Most pilots aren’t prepared for that and fatigue early. So
some attempt at flying all day and landing at sunset, regardless of
kilometres flown, is good training.
Most important is to have a good retrieve following too. That takes
away the “How do I get back?” anxiety and allows you to concentrate
on the day and fly anywhere, as opposed to simply following the road.

If it’s a 200km day then the climbs will be good until around 5pm.
After that you have to usually drop down a gear and take everything
to the maximum height.


What’s the biggest mistake XC pilots make in flying Manilla?
They haven’t planned a few glides ahead and fly into blue holes. That
results in a bombout or a slow scratch back up. Understanding and
using the classic XC “Rule of Thirds” is highly recommended. A
locals’ secret is that the Mount Kaputar massive near Narrabri tends

to modify or “bend” the local winds, so account for that when flying
near it. On the hotter days and when it’s dry be on the lookout for
dust devils.


After Manilla where should I head to next?
It all depends on how much time you have – Australia is bigger than
Europe! A typical east coast flying holiday could start in Melbourne
and end in Brisbane or Sydney. Firstly flying from the well-known
Bright around the Victorian Alps for triangles and out-and-return

cWIDE OPEN XC. Then head to Sydney for some refreshing coastal flying at
One of the carpeted launches on Mt Borah Stanwell Park and the Northern Beaches sites. Travelling north
Photos: Tex Beck



to atmospheric conditions and ground status – we rarely get crazy
10m/s days, it’s mostly 3-5m/s. Pilots fly long flights all season.
Bigger XC flights naturally occur when more pilots are around, and that
gives the impression that, for example, late January or early February is
better, when in reality those flights are possible any time from October to
March. Site records are 371km overall, 251km for EN-B paragliders.


Where to stay?

Most pilots stay at the cabins and camping on site at Mount Borah
with a bar, pool and free Wi-Fi. It’s also where the ride-to-launch
service runs from.
In town The Royal Hotel, a country pub, is a pilot favourite. cHOMEBOY
There are two other pubs, a B&B (Ambleside) run by a glider and Godfrey Wenness
paraglider pilot, and a campsite. Photo: Tex Beck



AUSTRALIA CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 81

cRAINBOW BEACH
Laid-back coastal flying in Queensland
Photo: Tex Beck



two hours there are more coastal sites on the way to Newcastle And finally, tell us about the Manilla XC Camp you hold each year in
itself. Newcastle is a great alternative to the busy Sydney sites and January/February.
cheaper too. With another week available head up to Canungra It’s a great week for all pilot levels, not just the guns, to fly XC and
near Brisbane for some very scenic flying in the Gold Coast maybe set a new personal best. The event helps you to understand
hinterland. If the forecast is good then definitely go to Rainbow the sky more and get some tips from some of the best XC pilots
Beach for some dune flying and stunning ocean views. Depart for around. As it attracts pilots from all around the world it’s also a great
home out of Brisbane. social week.

Being in the air with 150 other XC pilots, going downwind from
What’s your favourite spot? Mount Borah, the sky comes alive. Then after seven or eight hours
For a coastal cruise you can’t beat Rainbow Beach. There are also and 250km, thinking you are alone, you spot a pilot in the middle of
some inland sites offering XC in the Sunshine Coast, north of nowhere heading for the same thermal – that’s cool!
Brisbane, which are worth discovering after contacting the
local clubs. Flymanilla.com


82 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 AUSTRALIA

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HONG KONG







You might not think Hong Kong with its
skyscrapers and street bustle would have
any room for paragliding, but in fact this

city of 7.5 million people is home to a small
but thriving scene. Under the auspices of
the Hong Kong Paragliding Association the
territory has half a dozen regularly used sites,
as well as a couple more that require a bit of a
hike. Beyond the waterfront skyscrapers, the
territory is actually 75% countryside, including
many forest parks, hills and sandy beaches.
From downtown Hong Kong you can reach
most sites from within 90 minutes by public
transport and walking – congested traffic
means going by car will probably take longer.

Although pilots have been flying in HK since
1991, the sport was only officially sanctioned
by Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department in
2017. That means all the sites are “official”
and there should be no problem for visitors –
simply sign up as a guest member through the
website before you arrive.
hkpa.net
Photo: Marcus King




Ma On Shan

The flying in Hong Kong is dictated by what
season it is. The winter northeast monsoon
season from October to March brings E/NE
winds and good flying weather. Ma On Shan
is a signature site with the easiest access, the
biggest ridge and lots of room to play. It’s also
the most scenic. Launch is a 30-min walk.
Although mainly ridge soaring, on good
days – light easterlies and clear skies – there

is potential for limited XC. Top-landing is
also possible, although be careful in strong
wind – the trick is to approach from below
hill height and be lifted up, rather than fly
from behind through possible rotor.
There is a height limit of 760m (2,500ft)
and radio-controlled models also fly the
same site. In good lift you can easily fly

above them. When landing, take care to be
accurate; grass in the adjacent fields hides
metal fence posts! A short walk away is a
former fishing village, a nice place to hang
out for a post-flight beer.
Photo: Martin Kostiv




84 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 HONG KONG

Jackie Cen invites us to fly Hong Kong from the famous Dragon’s Back





Shek O
Shek O East take-off is just off a famous
Hong Kong hiking trail called the Dragon’s

Back, “one of the top 10 urban hiking trails
in the world” according to numerous travel
magazines.
It’s a long ridge, perfect for soaring in
northeast to southeast wind, with occasional
thermal flying too: 15-20km/h wind is
perfect. With strong wind you will need good
groundhandling and will be up and away
quickly. In the air, the height limit is 425m
(1,300ft). If conditions allow you can fly over
the gap to Cape’ D’Aguilar – beware, it’s a
long glide! Get as high as possible before

setting off, and watch out for venturi effect.
Like all the sites here, the space is shared
with many other users. You must land at the
offical landing zone – landing on busy Main
Beach is not allowed. The HKPA website
has lots of site guide information, including
useful videos to show you the correct landing
approach and more.
Photo: Matt Leung




Long Ke Wan

Long Ke Wan is the third of the easterly
sites that can be flown during the northeast
monsoon. (The word “monsoon” does not
mean relentless rain as we often think – it
means a seasonal shift in the wind, which can
involve an increase in precipitation.)
Set in the Sai Kung Country Park to get
there take a metro from the city followed by
a taxi ride to the park. After being dropped

off it’s a 15-minute walk.
An easy site with reliable lift, it’s an east-
facing ridge looking out to sea, with another
ridge on the right that can be flown given the
right conditions. Top-landing is possible.
The height limit is 305m (1,000ft), and the
landing is on the large beach in front and
below take-off. The main hazard is losing

lift in light conditions and not being able
to make it back to the beach, resulting in a
water landing.
This easy site is suitable for all levels of
pilots, including students.
Photo: Wayne Cen





HONG KONG CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 85

South Lantau
The north east trade winds start to shift to
the south in March, the flying sites shift too.

South Lantau is a large island west of Hong
Kong. It’s joined to the mainland by a fast
bridge and is where Hong Kong International
Airport is.
Directly south of the airport are two peaks,
and on the south side of these peaks is the
flying site of South Lantau, separated into
two flying zones of east and west. In-between
is a no-fly zone (it is a helicopter corridor,
so cross it at your peril). Before flying you
must contact the Government Flying Service
(see HKPA website) and, like all the sites in

Hong Kong, you must not fly in cloud. Apart
from that it’s a perfect, large soaring site with
thermals on a sunny day. Landing is limited to
Upper Cheung Sha Beach; the large beach to
the east is off limits.
If you want to get hot and sweaty there are
trails, with a hard 45-minute hike-and-fly a
good option.
Photo: Martin Kostov




Pat Sin/Cloudy Hill

Pat Sin is a seldom-used site which is flyable
in a south wind in summer. The ridge is quite
long and can produce thermals as well as
ridge lift. If you want some exercise then this
is the place – it’s a sweaty two-hour hike,
which in the summer heat will test you (locals
recommend you take a minimum of two
litres of water). The views from the top are
outstanding.

Cloudy Hill is also a lesser-used southerly
site. Close to Pat Sin it is a challenging thermal
site with a height limit of 760m (2,500ft).
The launch area is sheltered with its own
conditions – conditions in the air can often be
different to what you feel on take-off.
After taking off head east for a mini-XC
from Cloudy Hill to connect with the Pat Sin

range. It is reachable from launch if you gain
sufficient height for the glide across.
The Hong Kong club is a friendly one and
welcomes new pilots and visitors. Bring your
wing if you are passing through!
Photo: Geoff Cattrall




86 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 HONG KONG

On the road?

Look out for

Cross Country

Pilot Recommended

places to stay World Records, World Championships
World Class Site… and a World of Personal Bests
Safe and easy XC flying for all levels of pilot is waiting for you in Manilla - Australia
or get more travel suggestions
online at


xcmag.com/travelguide



www.flymanilla.com

Since 1993
Paragliding School & Shop, Cabins & Camping, Bar, Pool, WiFi

POSTCARD FROM INDONESIA




















































cCROSSWIND
A tricky early morning launch
from 3,300m on Mt Kerinci
Photo: Rubby Emir



Ah the sweet smell of vol biv,” I thought as I laid out my kit on and rainforest turn gold and pink in the fading light, 1,300m
the crisp white sheets of the hotel bed. My co-facilitator Rubby above us.
“Emir and I had just finished three intense days working with That was the end of the good flying weather.
50 inspiring Indonesian clean-energy activists. Now I was ready to Sometime in the early morning the heavens opened. When dawn
get out and experience the beauty of the world we were fighting for, broke it was inside a cloud, wet and thick. By 6.30am I was off,
flying ridiculous solar-powered plastic bags through the mountains. climbing the worst track I’ve ever seen, deep channels of eroded mud
The destination? Mount Kerinci (3,805m), the roof of Sumatra. trenches and a never-ending ladder of roots. Three hours later Rubby
To my delight Rubby, also a keen outdoor enthusiast, agreed to join and I reached Shelter Three and the tree line. The rest of the team
me. Between breaks in the meeting we organised the trip. Then it was was still hours behind us. After the most amazing lunch of pooled
a quick debrief before the long trip to Padang followed by a seven- supplies – noodles, miso soup, chocolate milk and mung beans –

hour drive to Kayu Aro, a village nestled at the foot of Kerinci. Rubby and I hiked up to the summit.
Pak Hendra, a fellow pilot, a mountain ranger monitoring the An hour and a half later we reached the top, eyes stinging and
elusive and threatened Sumatran Tiger, and possibly the first person lungs burning from sulphur fumes. For a few moments the clouds
to ever fly from Kerinci, had organised everything and assembled parted and the sun dried us out. The Indian Ocean spread beneath us,
a team. Pak Heri, a skydiver and one of Indonesia’s most senior to the south-west. Below was the crater, deep and foreboding. Behind
paragliding pilots, agreed to take Rubby on his first tandem flight. us, a blanket of cloud. Beside us, towering cumulus castellanus.
Rubby and I would be carrying our own gear but we had porters for When we returned to camp the team had already set up. That night
Pak Heri’s tandem set-up. They carried tents and enough food to last the wind buffeted our tents. The tents flapped and snapped. I tossed

four days, in case we needed to wait out bad weather. and turned. The hope of a flight seemed unlikely.
We started walking to the raucous play of monkeys. Bird song We woke before sunrise. Below us the sky was clear but an easterly
enveloped the canopy. I hoped to see or even hear a Sumatran Tiger buffeted the mountain. It rocketed up gullies on either side of the
but it was not to be. spur we were camped on. The wind flowed round the mountain like
The track headed straight up the mountain. For two days it did giant hands continuing to mould Kerinci’s classic volcanic cone.
not relent. A late start meant we stayed the night at Shelter One. Our plan was to take off from Tugu Yudha, a monument to
“Perfect weather for flying,” I thought as we watched the summit climbers who had died, about 30 minutes below the summit. The


88 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 INDONESIA

Jason McLeod and friends hike-and-fly from the highest peak in Sumatra





site was perfect, clean, nothing too snaggy, and with a nice easterly I tried heading into the wind but couldn’t penetrate quick enough to
direction as well. In light- to nil-wind it would be as good a launch get away. I turned to go downwind, away from the spur when whack,
as you could hope for on a mountain like Kerinci. But that morning half my wing collapsed, yanking me round in the harness. I dropped

Tugu Yudha was deep in wind-whipping sulphur-tinged cloud. in height and my airbag brushed the deck. I lifted my legs, to keep
The alternative, last night’s chosen launch, was on a knoll just them from getting caught in the vegetation, then leaned hard to the
above the tree line, thirty metres from camp. But that was quickly left. The wing rocked about but kept flying. “Hands up!” “Weight
abandoned too. Looking at the knoll from Shelter 3 – which shift!” I repeated out loud like an anxious mantra. My right wingtip
incidentally no longer had a roof – our wind tellers did not reassure. tucked. “Don’t forget pressure on the brakes,” I told myself.
One makeshift windsock, made from the omnipresent plastic The wing settled, my heart rate slowed and I took stock. I had been
littering the mountain camps, showed strong westerlies. Less than blown around the mountain some distance from the spur I hoped to
ten metres away the other showed 25-30 knot easterlies! soar. But if I headed back there I’d be in rotor. To the south the valley
At 7am, after one of the most magical sunrises I have ever seen, the opened out wide. There were plenty of landing spots including 3,000
wind dropped. Not much but enough. Maybe. Pak Heri and I looked hectares of tea plantations. I was still well above the clouds. With
at each other and smiled. Then it was a quick scout before we settled luck I might even be able to make our chosen landing zone.
on a clearing just beside camp (3,300m). It would be tough. We would I put on a bit of bar and tracked south-east into the valley. I

be launching in a strong 10-15 knot crosswind. There was rotor radioed to Heri, Hendra and Rubby to let them know I was OK.
coming off the trees. But Heri thought it was doable. Rubby and Heri prepared to launch. The next 15 minutes was
magnificent, flying above, then soaring between clouds. Below me
The flight were food gardens, tea plantations and forest. To the left, villages

Against my better judgement I borrowed his confidence and set up. hugged the road. In the distance, to the east, the Seven Mountains
(Yeah, I know what you are thinking. As I re-read this I am thinking Lake shimmered, cradled in its high valley nest. I felt a few
it too.) After six failed launches I managed to get away. It was not thermals, made a couple of turns and promised myself that one day
graceful. Without Pak Heri and Pak Hen’s help it wouldn’t have I would go XC in Indonesia.
happened at all. But launching was only the beginning of my troubles. But not today.


















































cCLOUD SOARING
Gliding out towards a landing
at the village of Kayu Aro
Photo: Jason McLeod



INDONESIA CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 89

cTEAM GAME
Rubby Emir hiking up, Jason flying down, and the team.
Left to right: Jason, Lihun, Heri, Ken and Rubby
Photos:Jason McLeod


I set up for final glide, following what felt like a nice lifty line high above the The sight of our two paragliders seemed to have caused a mini

tea plantations. For a moment I thought I was going to make the landing general strike in Kayu Aro. Kids came out of school, plantation
zone, a football field next to Kayu Aro village. Then about 200m before it workers stopped working, shopkeepers closed their stalls. There is
I hit sink. Powerlines loomed super close. I wasn’t sure I had the height to something about what we do that infects people with happiness and
clear them. I made a snap decision, turned hard and landed in the sweet joy. Even the police decided to call it a day!
smelling, super soft, tea gardens, just in front of the Kayu Aro police station. Thirty minutes later dust devils spun across the football pitch.
Fortunately, our retrieve driver, Pak Suseno, another pilot, was on Kerinci closed herself up again in cloud.
hand to patiently explain to the cops that I did know what I was doing
and that landing in the tea gardens was a lot better than the town PS...
being cut off from electricity for who knows how long. As far as I know I was the third person to fly off Kerinci. Thanks

It was an endless stream of selfies with the locals while we waited to Hendra, Heri, Suseno, Kenedi, Albert, Lihun, Awal, and Piki for
for Rubby and Heri to land. On the second attempt they launched. helping make it possible. Thanks too to Rubby for being part of the
They were on course for a spot landing beside us but got a bit of lift madness. Adventure is better with friends.
low down. “Goal!” everyone cheered as they sailed over the goal posts
at one end of the football field and... into the tea gardens, to squeals Jason McLeod is a hike-and-fly enthusiast. He lives on Jagera land in
of delighted laughter from kids and adults alike. Meanjin, Brisbane, Australia


90 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 INDONESIA

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Full guiding and coaching service



Based in Southern Spain • great conditions • great flying



Full retrieve • Flymaster GPS trackers • airport transfers • comfortable accommodation



We also run guided XC holidays, paramotor training and paramotor vol biv holidays


see our website for more info and calendar dates



Flyspain Paragliding centre, est. 2002



ZZZ Á\spain.co.uk Email: LQIR#Á\VSDLQ FR XN Tel: +34651736718

CLASSIFIEDS reach over 20,000 pilots in more than 75 countries around the world! [email protected]




Bir & Manali,
and beyond...



ˆˆ‘”†ƒ„Ž‡ ”‹˜ƒ–‡ —‹†‡† ƒˆƒ”‹• ™‹–Š
: John Silvester
Eddie Colfox
”›ƒ ‘‘”‡

—– ‘ˆ –Š‹• ™‘”Ž† ’ƒ”ƒ‰Ž‹†‹‰ ƒ† ‰—‹†‹‰

̶™Šƒ– ›‘— †‘ ”‡ƒŽŽ› ‹• —‹“—‡ Ȃ ‘„‘†› ‡Ž•‡
‰—‹†‡• Ž‹‡ –Š‹•ǡ  ͕͖ ›‡ƒ”• ‘ˆ ˆŽ›‹‰ ǯ˜‡ ‡˜‡” Šƒ†
ƒ –”‹’ Ž‹‡ ‹–ǤǤǤ̶ „”—…‡ ‘‘”‡
himalayanskysafaris.com
the himalayan paragliding specialists



Birdmen



Tours of South Africa

Cape Town – Wilderness – Porterville


2018-2019 Tour Dates
28.10.2018 – 9.11.2018
02.01.2019 – 16.01.2019
03.02.2019 – 16.02.2019
03.03.2019 – 16.02.2019




[email protected]




















FANTASTICO!



great flying, great food, great weather

ALL inclusive prices














Need more inspiration?




Find it online and in our .aero

previous Travel Guides at

xcmag.com/travelguide Find your next wing







93

DON’T MISS IT 2019































Mar 15-17

STUBAI CUP
The first big paragliding testival of the season sees dozens of
manufacturers showcase their new wings for the new season
in this beautiful valley in Austria. A fast gondola whisks you
up to a snowy launch for an 800m sled ride, with early season

thermals if you’re lucky.
Stubaicup.at

















Jun 16-28

RED BULL X-ALPS
Will a Frenchman finally take the X-Alps crown from
five-time winner Chrigel Maurer? Is T oma Coconea
really doing it again? Will Simon Oberrauner stay
smiling? Can the Live T racking hold out? The Red
Bull X-Alps is “the perfect game”. This year it starts a
month earlier than usual: log on and get inspired.

redbullxalps.com



Aug 5-18


PARAGLIDING
WORLDS

Macedonia welcomes the world’s
best paraglider pilots for the FAI
Paragliding World Championships in
Krushevo. The flying here is a mix of
mountainous terrain, deep basins and
lakes – perfect for two weeks of racing
tasks. Get to goal!
fai.org






94 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 EVENTS CALENDAR

Mar 19-30

PWC SUPERFINAL


It’s back to Baixo Guandu in Brazil for the 10th
Paragliding World Cup Superfinal. This is actually the
May 30 to Jun 2
2018 Superfinal – marking the end of last year’s PWC
KOESSEN TESTIVAL
season. After this the new PWC season kicks off in
France in May, before visiting Linzhou (China), Portugal,
Like speed dating, but with a paraglider. The Super
Pico do Gaviao (Brazil) and Zapotiltic (Mexico)
throughout the year. Paragliding T estival sees hundreds of pilots over a long
pwca.org weekend of testing. Swap your passport for a wing, ride
the cable car and go fly. Repeat until you’ve found your
perfect partner.
fly-koessen.at












Jul 11-14

PARAFEST
Half music festival, half fly-in, this is the UK’s biggest Jul 13-27
gathering of the paramotor clans and welcomes international
visitors. Set on a massive airfield in the heart of Snowdonia, HANG GLIDING WORLDS
north Wales, you can fly all day and then party late into Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Italy is hosting the 22nd FAI Hang
the summer nights. Camping on site, family and friends Gliding World Championships, which will see 120 of the world’s

welcome. best HG pilots compete for the highest title in the sport. Will
parafest.co.uk it be Jonny Durand’s year, will young gun Ollie Chitty do the
business, or will legend Manfred Ruhmer out-fly them all?
italy2019.com











Sep 19-22
Oct 16-21
COUPE ICARE 2019
ÖLUDENIZ AIR GAMES
Make your European season last longer by heading to
T urkey. The 20th International Ölüdeniz Air Games will
The biggest free-flight festival we have, featuring paragliders,
paramotors, hang gliders, wingsuits, sailplanes, birds of
prey, jetmen and more. From hike-and-fly to acro to the
the air. The party atmosphere lasts all week and extends
famous masquerade, it’s a blast from sunrise to well past
across this laidback Mediterranean resort.
Thousands do. attract hundreds of pilots and is a pilot-focused festival of
sunset. If you’re nearby, make sure you make time to drop in.
Coupe-icare.org
Babadag.com

Available online or CROSS COUNTRY ACCESSORIES



from your local
free-flight centre



































XC Retrieve Sign XC Bubble


£12.50 / €14 / US$15 £10 / €12 / US$13




















XC Fastpack Bag XCPee System



£75 / €85 / US$99 From £8 / €10 / US$12












XCertina Bag



£45 / €56 / US$76












XC Action Camera Magnetic Mount Cross Country Speed Top


£42 / €53 / US$63 £30 / €38 / US$45



HOW TO BUY


Buy online at www.xcmag.com/shop, or from your local free-flight centre


Or call us on +44 1273 256 090 (Trade terms available on request)

Cross Country, Tollgate, Beddingham, Lewes, BN8 6JZ, UK

NEVER STOP LEARNING






















MASTERING PARAGLIDING


The must-read book by Kelly Farina Guide to the world’s best XC sites
US team pilot Josh Cohn reviewed Kelly Farina’s new £23/ €29 / US$37
techniques book in USHPA Magazine and liked it:
“I wish I’d had this book when I’d started flying XC,
especially when I first flew in the Alps. I probably
would have had better, safer flights sooner.”


£25/ €32 / US$40






FIFTY WAYS TO FLY BETTER

“An awesome book … to read and re-read and then All you need to know about
read the sky in a new way. The best book about meteorology
flying XC I have read” – Jan Lais, reader. Available £20/ €27 / US$30
in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and
Spanish.


£25/ €32 / US$40










Discover the Alps

£20/ €30 / US$32
PARAMOTORING:


THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE


230 pages packed full of tips – flying techniques,
meteorology, maintenance, and more. Essential for
any paramotor pilot’s bookshelf. English & French
versions.


£25/ €32 / US$40
Now on
The best free-flying sites in France

£26/ €29 / US$35

c GOING PLACES
Free flight will take you there. Grande
Tête de l’Obiou, Isère, French Alps
Photo: Jérôme Maupoint



98 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 FINAL SHOT

ARAK






The Multitool

intermediate

LTF09: B I EN: B






































































PURE PASSION FOR FLYING