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Galen Kirkpatrick came into flying just seven short years ago and is the 2023 US National Champion, the first female in the history of paragliding to do so. Not long after her first flights she quit her day job and dove into into the deep end of the paragliding pool. She sought the best mentors, got into acro, became a sought-after tow tech, became and instructor, got into comps and hasn’t looked back. Her story is a remarkable climb to the top against a stiff headwind. It began with a fascination (and considerable fear) of flight, an early tree impact and eventually a complete course correction- in life, and in flying. The result has been an absolutely astonishing year of flying lights-out. After some very nice results in Brazil a year ago Galen headed over to Europe to compete in a world cup in Spain to get warmed up for the Worlds in France. But life had other ideas. Instead of flying in the competition, Galen, in her own words “had a complete break down.” The result? Galen took the pressure off and started writing a new script. One that was based on fun first. One that overcame self-doubt and created space for creativity- in her air game as well as her ground game. Galen was 3rd at US Nationals in Chelan (overall). Then she won US Nationals at the Red Rocks Wide Open (one task was a personal best!). She was 3rd overall at the Monarca last month. She’s on a role, and in this episode we dive into how she’s done it, and the tools she’s built we can all use to succeed. Follow Galen on Instagram and her guiding adventures @readysetgalen Takeaways * SIV training is crucial for becoming a safe and skilled pilot. * Emotional safety is essential in flying, allowing pilots to be creative and have fun. * Creating a new story and believing in oneself can lead to success in competitions. * Confidence is an asset in flying, while arrogance is a liability. * Applying lessons from flying to life can lead to personal growth and self-awareness. Preparing for competitions requires finding the right emotional space and being self-aware. * The US comp scene is experiencing a shift, with more cohesion and support among pilots. * The momentum of women in the sport is growing, with a focus on working together and supporting each other. * Being yourself and having mutual respect within the community are important for personal growth and success. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Syncing Up 00:28Background and Flying Career 03:03Transition to Making a Living from Flying 04:51Teaching and Training 06:33The Importance of SIV 07:06Willful Ignorance and Risk Tolerance 08:35Creating a Safe Cross-Country Pilot 09:52The Midair Incident in Turkey 11:15Will Gadd’s Mindset and Risk Assessment 12:11The Concept of Willful Ignorance 16:20Applying Flying Lessons to Life 19:03The Relationship Between Flying and Life 21:21Getting Into Competitions 22:21Becoming the National Champion 26:59The Spain Experience and Creating a New Story

Pierre flying off Everest South African pilot and adventurer Pierre Carter has been at this game for a very long time, and he hasn’t wasted any time chasing thin air dreams. Pierre has been knocking off the world’s seven summits for nearly 20 years (some of them several times), and has flown off all but Denali (because it’s illegal) and has only Antarcticas Mt Vinson remaining. In between his efforts to summit and fly off the worlds highest peaks (including Carstensz Pyramid in Papua New Guinea) Pierre competed in the Red Bull X-Alps three times, organized the X-Berg hike and fly race in South Africa and most recently had a bit of an epic in Pakistan. Come along for an amazing ride with a very special gentleman. Everest Flying off Kilimanjaro Peru Takeaways * Pierre Carr has a passion for paragliding and mountaineering, which has defined his life and career. * Flying off the Seven Summits is a challenging and rewarding adventure that requires permission and careful planning. * The Red Bull X-Alps is a thrilling race that combines paragliding and hiking across the Alps. * Flying off mountains like Kilimanjaro and Denali requires skill, experience, and favorable weather conditions. Flying in the Dolomites can be challenging and requires knowledge of the area. * Food poisoning can have a significant impact on performance in the X-Alps. * Support teams play a crucial role in the success of athletes in the X-Alps. * Knowing the Alps well is essential for navigating the X-Alps effectively. * Knee replacement surgery can improve mobility and allow for continued adventure. * The Red Rocks race and the X-Berg Challenge offer unique and exciting opportunities for paragliding and adventure sports. * Climbing Denali and Carstensz Pyramid are challenging and rewarding mountaineering experiences. Flying in Papua New Guinea can be challenging due to difficult terrain and unpredictable weather conditions. * Obtaining a permit to fly off Mount Everest is a complex process, but it opens up the opportunity for a unique and iconic flight. * Flying off Mount Everest is a surreal and emotional experience, despite the short duration of the flight. * Pierre has future plans to climb and fly off Mount Vincent, as well as other 8,000-meter peaks. Methodical review helps in organizing and understanding the content of a conversation. * Identifying principal themes allows for a more structured and cohesive presentation. * Consolidating subtopics under primary themes provides a comprehensive exploration of the conversation. * Creating fewer, more expansive chapters enhances the listener experience. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Appreciation 01:48Early Years and Introduction to Paragliding

Marcus King has been flying pretty much full time since 1991. He spent many years with the early Ozone team and has been on the design team with Cross Country Magazine for ages. All those gear and wing reviews you see in the magazine (and a TON of the photos!) are compliments of Marcus. In this chat Marcus shares his background in paragliding, his work in the industry, the rise of the sports class competitions, his involvement in the Red Bull X-Alps, and his passion for flying in the French Alps. And then we switch to a very unfortunate totally benign day back in September when Marcus hit the ground hard. Marcus shares his experience of the accident, the rescue operation, and the injuries he sustained and of course the 20-20 hindsights that are always a part of the forensics of making mistakes. He emphasizes the importance of wearing proper safety gear such as an EN certified flying helmet; always communicating with folks before you head out so people know where you are; having all your emergency gear even for the “easy” flights; and the need to respect the risks involved in paragliding with every single flight you take. Marcus discusses his rehabilitation and recovery process, highlighting the mental challenges and coping strategies he employed. Marcus also explores the impact of the accident on his family and the decision to fly again. Important lessons for everyone to hear. Enjoy! Takeaways * Wearing proper safety gear, such as an EN certified flying helmet, is crucial in minimizing the risk of injuries during paragliding accidents. * Rehabilitation and recovery from paragliding injuries require patience, mental strength, and taking one day at a time. * The paragliding community provides valuable support and inspiration for pilots recovering from accidents. * Respecting the risks involved in paragliding and maintaining a cautious mindset is essential for safe flying. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 07:21Flying in the French Alps 15:35Wing Testing and Gear Reviews 20:06The Rise of Sports Class Competitions 25:13The Red Bull X-Alps Experience 32:38The Accident and Rescue 37:37The Accident and Rescue 39:05The Importance of Proper Safety Gear 40:02Injuries and Hospitalization 44:20Rehabilitation and Recovery 45:02Mental Challenges and Coping Strategies 46:24Lessons Learned and Safety Precautions 49:12Guilt and Support from Family 50:59The Decision to Fly Again 52:23Prognosis and Recovery 53:37Previous Accidents and Lessons 54:17Mixed Emotions about Returning to Flying 56:11Finding Hope and Inspiration from Other Pilots 01:01:13The Importance of Respecting the Risks 01:04:49The Desensitization to Accidents in the Paragliding Community 01:06:24The Illusion of Safety in Familiar Environments 01:09:07The Flow State and Risk Management 01:12:18The Importance of Tracking Devices

Jake Holland is a British filmmaker and adventure pilot based in Chamonix. In this episode we discuss his totally wild experiences this season and last in Pakistan with professional climbers Will Sim and Fabi Buhl, and pilots and adventurers Aaron Durogati, Antoine Girard, Veso Ovcharov and others, and the challenges of capturing these high altitude adventures on film. We discuss the mission of using paragliders as an access tool to explore remote mountains, the economics of filmmaking in the paragliding industry, and the risks and safety considerations involved. Jake shares his background in flying and filmmaking, as well as the logistics of traveling with heavy equipment. We touch on the impact of paragliding on the climbing community and the accessibility of paragliding adventures in Pakistan. Jake discusses various themes related to adventure flying and filmmaking. We discuss the importance of understanding the sky and weather conditions and the importance of backcountry knowledge. The conversation touches on Jake’s Tanzania trip with Tom de Dorlodot and Horacio Llorens, as well as the challenges of filmmaking and maintaining creative control, and the difficulties and rewards of flying in Alaska and Pakistan. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the value of slowing down and embracing the adventure of being out in nature. Enjoy! Takeaways * Paragliders can be used as an efficient and lightweight tool to access remote mountains and explore new lines. * Filmmaking in the paragliding industry can be challenging due to the economics involved, but there are opportunities to collaborate with outdoor brands and create marketing films. * Paragliding adventures in Pakistan offer unique flying conditions, with high cloud bases and the potential for long-distance flights. * Flying with skis and landing in high-altitude environments requires careful piloting skills and consideration of the weather conditions. * Traveling with heavy camera gear and equipment can be a logistical challenge, but airlines like Turkish Airlines offer free ski bags for international flights. Understanding the sky and weather conditions is crucial for adventure flying. * Backcountry knowledge, especially about snow conditions, is essential for safe flying. * Drones have revolutionized aerial filming, providing filmmakers with unique perspectives. * Adventure flying is gaining popularity, attracting more people to explore remote and challenging locations. * French pilots are known for their daring and innovative approach to adventure sports. * Filmmaking in remote locations requires careful planning and balancing creative control with budget constraints. * Flying in Alaska presents unique challenges due to unpredictable weather and flying conditions. * Pakistan offers incredible flying opportunities, but conditions can vary, requiring adaptability and patience. Unplugging from technology and immersing oneself in nature and community can be a deeply fulfilling experience. * Exploring the Grand Canyon during the winter offers a unique and less crowded experience. * The Grand Canyon offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, camping, and whitewater rafting. * Dreaming and planning for future adventures can bring excitement and anticipation.

Adventure often runs in the blood of Kiwis, and in Louis Tapper it runs thick. Long before Louis got hooked with flying he broke a world distance record in kitesurfing in Brazil and was (and remains) a pretty hard-core paddler. When he discovered flying he dug in hard. Louis competes regularly in World Cups around the world; is a 5-time New Zealand National Champion; and currently holds the out and back triangle records in New Zealand. In this episode we explore many aspects of managing risk, beginning with his epic in Brazil. We discuss the crossover between paddling and flying, best-practices for progression in paragliding, and the lessons Louis has learned from flying sailplanes. The conversation then shifts to the topic of the recently published New Zealand Safety and Accident Report, which Louis and several others researched and penned. We dive into what the comprehensive report uncovered, why it’s almost always a string of errors that lead to an accident, where the greatest change is needed, who is most at risk, and why too many accidents in paragliding, speed flying, and hang gliding keep happening. We explore the concept of human factors in accidents and the potential for applying lessons from commercial aviation to improve safety in free-flight. Turns out it remains pretty obvious: it’s the basics that can make a big difference- ground handling, launching, and landing. Louis emphasizes the importance of margin and observation in reducing accidents and the importance of personal approach, wing handling, and situational awareness. The conversation also highlights the significance of decision-making and why pilots don’t throw when they should, the risk assessment for different pilot levels, and the need for a community-based safety approach. The slow progress in changing the safety culture in New Zealand (and around the world) is acknowledged, along with the compromises in safety associated with lightweight gear. An important talk with a fun individual! Enjoy! To read the Safety Task Force Report go here. To see the FlyTop approach to safety that Louis discusses in the show go here. What is old is new, 20 year old recommendations for the Hang Gliding community that still stand true today. Éxcellent collection of safety ideas and concepts- Now in English Home French study on Paraglide instructor accident rates (turn on subtitles) Takeaways * Persistence and thoughtful decision-making are important in extreme adventures. * Observation and risk management are crucial skills in paragliding, hang gliding and speed flying. * There is a need for better accident reporting systems and a focus on human factors in paragliding. * Lessons from other sports, such as backcountry skiing, can be applied to improve safety in paragliding. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:32 Kitesurfing and Distance Record

Thad Spencer returns to the Mayhem to discuss a very different topic than we did in our previous chat. A little over 18 months ago Thad went out with his friend Alex Peterson for what looked like a pretty good day to go big in western Minnesota. Alex towed up first without incident, then Thad hooked in and began to tow up and things went pretty quickly from good day to lights out. Thad discusses the selfish nature of paragliding and its impact on relationships. He also talks about his experience with the Zeno 2 glider and launching in challenging conditions. He shares his experience with emergency response and the hospital, as well as his injuries and recovery process. In this conversation we discuss various aspects of overcoming fear, taking risks, and embracing challenges as we age. We also delve into the topic of retirement and the process of redefining self-identity and finding purpose in this new phase of life. Thad shares his personal experiences and insights, highlighting the importance of confidence and the journey of releasing and rediscovering one’s identity. The conversation concludes with a humorous story about Bill Belcourt’s halo and a reflection on their shared love for flying. This is a humble and at times very funny story about bad luck, good luck, fear injury, family, pain, laughter, and returning to flying. Enjoy! SHOW NOTES: Takeaways * Overcoming fear and taking risks can lead to personal growth and new experiences. * Injuries can have long-lasting consequences and make individuals more cautious in certain activities. * Confidence is crucial in extreme sports, but it’s important to find a balance between confidence and caution. * Retirement can be a challenging transition, but it also offers an opportunity to redefine self-identity and find new passions and purpose. * Creating and making things can bring fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment in retirement. * Releasing and rediscovering one’s identity is a journey that takes time and self-reflection. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:00 The Importance of Communication and Emergency Contacts 06:00 The Selfish Nature of Paragliding and Its Impact on Relationships 09:00 The Zeno 2 and Launching in Challenging Conditions 18:00 The Accident: A Big Frontal on Tow 26:00 Emergency Response and Hospital Experience 32:00 Injuries and Recovery 01:08:30 Overcoming Fear and Taking Risks 01:09:22 The Consequences of Injury 01:10:18 The Importance of Confidence 01:11:07 Embracing Challenges as You Age 01:11:37 Retirement and Self-Identity 01:12:31 Finding Purpose in Retirement 01:13:55 The Transition to Retirement 01:14:49 Accepting Aging and Redefining Self-Worth 01:16:14 The Process of Retirement 01:17:43 Creating and Making Things 01:19:01 Releasing and Rediscovering Identity 01:20:33 The Journey of Retirement 01:21:17 Walking and Reflecting

Phil Hystek “Flat out Phil” Hystek has been instructing free flight in Australia longer than anyone. It began with a fascination of hang gliding in the 70’s, becoming a hang gliding instructor in the late 80’s in California, being “forced” into paragliding in the early 90’s and his energizer batteries are going stronger than ever today. Phil has racked up 171,000 meters of vertical ascent in his back yard to date this year (at age 65!), just returned from a 4 weeks of vol-biv flying in Bir, India and is a story teller for the ages. We travel the world, meet the legends, pull off the absurd in Telluride, pack it hard in Bali, and find out who thrives in this sport and who should maybe take up a different activity. Sit back, crack a cold XXXX and enjoy, this one will have you in stitches! Phil’s bivvy site in India

Patrick Von Kanel approaches the Tre Cime Turnpoint in the 23′ race Tarquin Cooper has been the voice of the Red Bull X-Alps the last few editions and this year was joined by your host and four-time X-Alps competitor Gavin McClurg to add some commentary and live footage from the air. In this episode the two of us sit down to share our own unique perspective of the race as we chased the athletes and teams around the Alps and had our own adventures (and misadventures!) in our mostly frantic attempts to keep up. I go into the full details of the unfortunate “tree incident”, we hear about Tarquin’s wild sail in the Fastnet race immediately after the Red Bull X-Alps ended, the athletes who most impressed us this year, Chrigel’s continued dominance, what it was like for me to be covering the event instead of racing and a lot more. If you’re in a bit of Red Bull X-Alps withdrawal this episode should help bide some time until 2025! Enjoy!

Paul competes in the 2011 Red Bull X-Alps Paul in the 2023 Red Bull X-Alps Paul Guschlbauer has been on the podium more than anyone in the Red Bull X-Alps other than of course Chrigel. He began his X-Alps journey back in 2011 when by his own account, he was a pretty beginner pilot. But that year the weather was horrific and he is a beast on the ground and he managed to nab 3rd place. This result lead to becoming a Red Bull athlete, a spot in that year’s Dolomitimann, and the rest is…well at least history in the making as Paul is far from done! This year’s Red Bull X-Alps was Paul’s 7th edition of the incredible race and a lot has happened over the more than a decade since. Paul now has two children; he’s flown his supercub from Alaska to Argentina; crossed the Alps not only 7 times in the race but twice more (once with Tom De Dorlodot during their ill-fated “Adriatic” expedition”); and he and Aaron Durogati have their own hike and fly series, the Wanderbird. In this episode Paul and I dive into his races and get into the stuff that fans probably haven’t heard. His huge mental struggles during the 2013 race; being in “flow” in 2015; his amazing run through the Lakes in Italy in 2017; what led to the very cool finish with Benoit in 2019; some very funny moments in 2021; and finally some thoughts on the outrageous pace in 2023.

On June 19th this year in the blackness of night Gordon Boettger and his copilot Bruce Campbell donned expedition clothing mountaineers use to climb the highest peaks in the world, stepped into a specialized high performance sailplane, put on their night vision goggles and took to the skies of the Sierra mountain chain at 0230. They didn’t know it yet, but they would be in the air flying “wave” (aka the “monster”) for over 17 hours and go farther than anyone ever has in a glider, ultimately ticking up 3055 kilometers, or 1898 miles. Gordon has been chasing the monster for years. It’s his specialty. It’s a little more tame than his day job, flying commercially for FedEx…and it certainly isn’t tame. Flying in the lee of mountains with winds that border on hurricane strength isn’t for the feint of heart. When you get it right you fly straight for huge distances, the vario beeping consistently and you can enjoy the view, which is pretty astonishing at heights that can reach well over 30,000 feet. But when you get it wrong it’s a pretty serious game of holding on and trying desperately to find an out. Rotor is extreme, the sink is alarming and it’s like trying to stay on a very pissed off bucking bronco. As the saying goes, when you’re high you’re high, when you’re low you’re low. The pilots approach Mt Whitney at 0500 on second leg northbound In this episode Gordon takes us through his history of flying gliders since he was a teenager and we crescendo with the record flight. He discusses a very close call on a previous flight in the Sierras where he missed the wave and found himself battling obscene sink. And we discuss what’s possible looking ahead. On a day Gordon called at best a 5 out of 10, what could pilots who chase the monster pull off? “Watching with the (goggles) it was amazing to see the sky,” he said. “The Milky Way was blowing up, there were shooting stars all over the place — it was absolutely breathtaking. We were at 23,000 feet in the middle of nowhere. It really kind of opened a whole new door.” Buckle up, this one will blow your mind. The conditions at high altitude can be pretty extreme, even in a protected cockpit Over Lee Vining looking east over Mono Lake on 2nd leg northbound Looking south into the Owens at 1400 12 hours into the flight Crossing 3,000 kilometers… 1915 hours S of Alturas looking NE trying for the 3,000 km barrier. Where to go? 16.000′ vertical velocity at 0800 over course line

Martin wins the PWC in Aksaray, Turkey 2022 Martin Jovanoski has been flying his entire life. Sailplanes, Hang gliders, Paragliders- in any and all forms. He got started in accuracy, moved into cross country competitions and pretty much does it all when it comes to free-flight. He’s one of the big reasons Krushevo, Macedonia has become such a mecca for competitions, and he instructs, guides, flies tandems, designs wings, consults and more. I’ve been lucky enough to compete with Martin many times in World Cups and hands down Martin is the cream of the crop when it comes to unabashed love for our sport. He’s always got the biggest smile on launch. He’s the pilot who seems to have retained that first flight wonder of flying we all have throughout his long and very storied career. In this episode we dive into his history, how he turned accuracy flying into sponsorship and a means to pursue flying full time, competition flying and how to become successful at the highest end of the sport, how to fly safely, and a lot more. Enjoy! Launching Aksarary, Turkey

The French own the podium at the Targassone PWC. Maxime Pinot, Honorin Hamard, Baptiste Lambert It’s no secret that the French are operating on a very different level. If you’re French and into flying and lucky enough you can start young at the Polisport (the French Olympic training center) which aims to develop pilots into the future French team members. The objective is simple- be the best in the world, and win championships. In other words- you can go to University to paraglide! Charles Cazaux, Luc Armont, Pierre Remy, Honorin Hamard, Meryl Delferriere, and Maxime Pinot are all products of the French training program and Julien Garcia, our guest on today’s show is their coach. For years he was the coach of the junior team and is now the coach of maybe the most elite team the world of paragliding has ever seen. 5 of the top 10 pilots in the WPRS ranking are French right now. In last week’s PWC in Targassone, home of the Polisport training center all three top spots went to French pilots. In this episode I grill Julien on the secret sauce of winning. What are the steps the team takes; what does it take to get on the podium with consistency; how do you strategize winning with such different talents; should you focus on strengths or weaknesses; flying “defensively vs offensively”; the “three rules” of paragliding and a lot more. We also dive into Julien’s remote navigational and weather support of Maxime Pinot and Eli Egger in the Red Bull X-Alps. A fascinating talk with a generous individual. Enjoy!