“It looks very hard because it crosses the Alps often and we can’t follow the big valleys easily – but it is the same for all of us.” Four-times winner, Chrigel Maurer, and our very own X-Alper, Jon Chambers, give their verdicts on this year’s 1,138km Red Bull X-Alps route. Find out more, subscribe, and […] …read more
Cover Story: Paramotoring in the Southwest USA
“I love living in a van. When we’re in a house, I feel super scattered when all my stuff is spread out and I don’t know where anything is. “We get to travel around and fly … and when we land, we get to walk right back into our house.” Becca Bredehoft and Cade Palmer […] …read more
When good glass-off goes bad…
“It is important to be vigilant of the height of the cloud tops … Needless to say, fighting to get down in the vicinity of a towering cloud at sunset is worrisome at best.” Cross Country’s weatherman Honza Rejmanek reveals how to stay safe when that late afternoon soaring session blows up into something a […] …read more
Gavin McClurg: Magic Moments
“That old saying ‘There are bold pilots and there are old pilots, but there no old, bold pilots’ seems to jump into my consciousness more frequently these days.” As our columnist Gavin McClurg prepares for this year’s Red Bull X-Alps, he reflects on chasing the magic rather than the glory – and how to keep […] …read more
Apco Swift race harness: review
“Moving from the Forza to this while flying the Zeno was a revelation. Seb said it’s like adding suspension to a car … It also wins hands-down on price.” Hugh Miller and Seb Ospina put Apco’s first competition harness, the Swift, through its paces – and say “Give one a go!” Find out more, subscribe, […] …read more
‘It’s a Grente Day’: Brigitte Kurbel guides us round
Grente in the Italian South Tyrol has become a famous launch site for pilots wanting to fly big Alpine triangles. With the longest days of the year on the horizon, now is the time to start planning. Germany’s Brigitte Kurbel, who flew a 240km FAI triangle from here last year, guides us round. Find out […] …read more
Understanding the solar window, by Rafael Saladini
If you want to fly far with big-distance XCs, you need to understand the ‘solar window’. And if you haven’t the faintest idea what that is, paragliding world record holder Rafael Saladini is here to help. Find out more, subscribe, and never miss an issue …read more
G-Force: Matt Warren trains with Paul Guschlbauer
What’s it really like to take part in the Red Bull X-Alps? Matt Warren spent four gruelling days chasing Paul Guschlbauer – and his dog, Vitali – around Austria’s mountains to find out. Find out more, subscribe, and never miss an issue …read more
Review: The Gin Explorer, EN B
“The Explorer is a wing that left me with a grin on my face … I can see it appealing to more experienced pilots who still want dynamic, sharp handling in a safer wing.” Marcus King is all smiles after 15 hours in the air with GIN’s racy lightweight EN B. Find out more, subscribe, […] …read more
IRELAND TO AFRICA BY PARAMOTOR
Oisín Creagh flew his paramotor from Ireland to Africa in August / September 2016, to raise awareness and funds for an African charity.
His expedition has earned him a nomination for an award with Ireland’s Outsider magazine – the winners will be announced on 2 February 2016.
The Irishman, who was dubbed ‘lawnmower man’ by Irish newspapers, planned and executed the 3,000km paramotor journey in order to try and raise €12,000 for the International development aid organisation, Gorta-Self Help Africa, whose mission is to help end hunger and poverty in rural Africa.
Oisín left Ireland on 24 August, making the 38km crossing of the Irish Sea to Scotland – the first of three open-water crossings – and going on to fly 300km in two flights on his first day. It was just over three weeks before he set foot in Africa, landing at Ceuta on the northeastern tip of Morocco on 19 September after crossing the Straits of Gibraltar. Sadly, the permit to fly in Morocco that he had applied for arrived too late, hence the final destination of Ceuta, which is Spanish owned.
Oisín flew an OZONE Spyder 26, and Air Conception Nitro 200 motor.
Here is what Oisin says …read more
Source:: Ozone Paramotor