Paragliders are designed for maximum efficiency in both flight and lift, featuring long, narrow airfoils. The higher the aspect ratio (the longer and narrower the wing), the more efficient it becomes in terms of speed and lift.
Speed wings have a much lower aspect ratio, which makes them less efficient in terms of flight performance. However, this lower aspect ratio contributes to greater stability and makes them easier to fly compared to paragliders.
Cross country coastal flights with the boys. We got up at the crack of dawn, filled our fuel tanks and launched in zero wind. I would say a full fuel tank and a 185moster in no wind is definitely the hardest Paramotor launch I’ve ever tried. Actually nailed it on the first try. But for sure, cheated with all the power. She was a chonk that morning. And my Luna2 launched and flew totally different loaded up. What an epic adventure. Jumped off a building downtown that night as well. One of my favorite things to do is a multi sport nylon day with friends!
Read MoreThere were many moments when I felt confused as to my feelings and emotions. I felt trapped inside my own body. Numb. Depressed… I was having the best year of my life (last year 2023). I met the man of my dreams. I was supposed to be so happy. And I was. …but also I felt a deep sorrow… and anxiety? Well with the near death experience and loss of my beautiful home that I had built with my own two hands. It made sense to me that my newfound numbness and sadness correlated to that event.
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The exit went as planned and Matts parachute opened perfectly. The silks were deployed and blew behind us in the 20+mph relative wind. The most challenging part of this stunt was working with the material of the silks in the strong relative wind. I had visions of grander that I would be able to do many positions but once I got both feet locked in I really only worked with that orientation. Of course the splits being the most ascetically pleasing.
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Night time driving in the desert is a different kind of dark, the pitch black is vast and empty. Oncoming traffic headlights blinding with stark contrast. It was the first Sunday night of February, I had just spent the last week flying speed wings with the Froth Crew in the Eastern Sierra. I was aware of a small oil leak coming from the timing cover, the gasket was failing after 250K miles. My next stop was Arizona to see my trusted mechanic Tony from AAA bus Sales, who sold me the bus in the first place. While driving through Death Valley the oil leak increased…..
Read MoreThere’s so much of my past self I don’t resonate with anymore, but I LOVE her just the same. She was growing. She was doing her best she fought hard to get me here.
Now when I align myself with products and companies, I try their product, get to know their business, and make sure it is something I am 100% behind and supportive of. Something I should have done from the beginning, but you live and you learn. Also, I want to be in a partnership with a company that will come to me with any issues with an open dialog. Willing to listen and trust me before hearsay.
I woke up this morning in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. Snow falling outside and everything covered in white. Roan was whining to go outside because the neighbors dogs were at the door. Our front door is the back door of the house looking out over the snow covered back yard and Howe Sound. I grew up in Florida, almost naked and always in the warm ocean… how did this sun kissed ocean girl learn to ski? Luckily I spent Christmas’ in Canada with my German grandparents.
Read MoreCompeting in skydive parachute swooping in 2011
Transitioning from Skydiving to Paragliding was one of the most rewarding journeys of my life. I personally had a very interesting transition and experience but that is because I went about it completely backwards and sideways.
Read MoreAs a professional BASE jumper and paragliding instructor you would not think that I suffer from anxiety. While BASE jumping and paragliding require me to face my fear and work through it, I still struggle with the every day mundane anxiety of interacting with humans and the pressures of succeeding at my career and life style.
Even though I take my training and experience conquering my fears jumping off cliffs and apply it to my everyday life… like everyone else I have days that can feel over whelming.
13,000 feet above the earth in an airplane, the engines hum loudly in my ears. The red light flashes on, my brother and I move to the door and open it, letting in the fresh cool air. My mother and father are right behind us lined up ready to get in position. My brother, Sean, and I hang our heads out of the airplane and spot the airport, taking a second to silently check in with each other before climbing out… he has a huge smile on his face.
Read MoreEvery November slack liners and BASE jumpers from all over the world gather in Moab, Utah for an annual event of epic proportion. Smack in the middle of one of Moab's millions of cracks and canyons is the most glorious hammock contraption ever imagined - the Moab Space Net. At any given moment there can be heard the loud BANG of BASE parachutes opening from people jumping from the walls of the canyon or off the net itself. Men and women in spandex, tutus, and fleece animal onsies are walking high lines. Guitar and drums can be heard along with squeals of excitement as people rope swing down into the canyon. Its literally a extreme athlete and hippy dirtbag wonderland of dreams.
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Later in the afternoon, much like where I grew up in tropical Florida, the saturated rain clouds that had been brewing over the ocean were upon us. A brisk breeze announced the storm's approach.
Covered in sand and sticky and sweaty from the humidity, I climbed up the silks. The cool breeze tickled my skin and blew the silks out from under me. Hanging twenty feet above the beach, I could see the rain creeping across the ocean. I love the smell of rain especially in a tropical environment, so rich and pure. The salt humid air cut by freshness. I hung upside down and watched it approach.
Read MoreSo if the Engine quits… I'm just gonna climb out of the harness and jump out right?! (No)
The wing came up over my head easily and I squeezed the throttle with more gusto this time. I felt the push from behind and leaned back, awkwardly duck walking down the beach. Pulling the throttle in a bit more gently lifted off and started climbing... the feeling of flight upon me once again.
Image byGeorge Krieger
I have been to That Thing In The Desert a few times now and every single year it is different and more glorious than the past. I have been in a relationship, married, separated (but still camping together), and single. Each variation was beautiful and held its own unique and perfect life lessons. Each year a fresh perspective and intention going in... and love, compassion, beautiful sadness, gained knowledge and awareness as I left.
Read MoreWhat does it feel like to fly?
Well, imagine surfing on a perfect ground swell with an off shore breeze. Perfectly glassy water below and crystal clear so that every grain of sand on the sea floor seems to stand out. The board effortlessly slices through the cool blue water and is easy to stand on. If you just relax, the wave will carry you down the line towards the shore. The feeling is weightless as the natural power of the wave propels the surf board forward. ... or you can choose to maneuver the board gracefully up and down the face of the wave, using the waves energy to power you and your board’s movements.
Ridge soaring a paraglider is much the same feeling, and also the same concept. Using the updraft of created by wind as it hits a cliff face (or any obstacle) -- Air behaves like water when in motion.
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The four hundred and twenty meter tower loomed above, taunting us as we walked. A few blocks away we found a side street littered with street food venders. Words in a completely different alphabet, foreign characters, and an audibly beautiful language that I couldn’t even begin to translate. I had never been to any part of Asia and I was awe struck.
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