New Zealand
December - March
2024 dates on request
Paragliding Odyssey throughout North and South Island
Paragliding XC and vol-bivouac course in New Zealand, from North Island to the wild mountains of the South Island, including all the best flying sites, top landing, and technical training at Karioitahi, XC on the North Island to the wild Southern Alps, Queenstown, Wanaka, Tekapo and beyond, real mountain adventure and complex introduction to vol-biv, in the middle of northern winter.
We have run successful vol-bivouac group clinics in New Zealand (see below) but lately, Kinga has been leaning toward more personal coaching and guiding in Aotearoa. The complex and changeable weather, and logistics in the mountains with very few roads make it more beneficial for pilots, you get more flying and more adventure in. We can cover all the sites, topics and exercises described below and much more, fully tailoring the program to your experience, flying skills, fitness level, goals end expectations.
Hence, we do not plan our usual vol-bivouac group clinics in New Zealand in the near future, if you are interested in a group adventure, check our European and Himalayan group clinics. These mountains provide more reliable conditions and easier logistics for a fixed dates group experience, and always deliver plenty of flying and vol-bivouac adventures.
However, New Zealand is one of the most unique and magical flying destinations in the world and if you’re keen on flying here, want to come alone or with your buddies (pilots that you already know and are happy to go out there together with), get in touch and we’ll find the best way to make it happen!
previous editionS:
check 2023 editon on social media
What is it?
First of all, it isn’t your usual XC course but a complex introduction to mountain XC flying, hike&fly and vol-bivouac. Great and safe flying comes together with right headspace and physical preparation so in a small group we’ll work on all these aspects, building upon your own strengths and pushing beyond your comfort zone. After this course, you’ll not only have lasting memories from beautiful New Zealand. You’ll also become a better, safer and justifiably self-confident pilot who can plan and execute an XC flight, hike& fly adventure or vol-bivouac expedition and then if necessary adjust her/his plans to the conditions.
We’ll explore the variety of the most beautiful, often hidden sites, both on North and South Island.
North Island
The journey starts on the north where depends on the weather, we’ll visit black coast cliffs, gold Pacific beaches, inland ridge riding, and/or flatlands where from the air you can see both Pacific and Tasman Sea! It’s a training time and we’ll practice everything that is crucial for successful XC, hike & fly and vol-biv, with particular emphasis on ground handling and top landing techniques, gear preparation, packing etc. hands on practical approach.
In the evenings we’ll talk about planning your flight or expedition, topography, weather, choosing good lines in the air and being efficient on the ground, finding good camping spots and take offs, lee side flying, safety in the mountains, managing food, water, electronics, communication, and much much more.
South Island
After a few days, we’ll move to the South Island to the heart of the Southern Alps. These mountains are wild and remote, many valleys don’t have trails, not saying roads so vol-bivouac mode is the natural choice. We’ll fly whenever possible and go deep into the mountains for 3-6 days, weather dependant. I can’t promise a particular route but I can promise it will be an unforgettable adventure!
Details
Before your arrival you’ll fill a questionnaire so we can adjust the program to your goals, experience and fitness level, and we’ll send you personalized preparation tips.
In the first week we’ll explore various flying sites on North Island, practice everything that is crucial for successful XC flying, hike and fly and vol-biv adventures, with particular focus on ground handling and top landing techniques, gear preparation, packing camping gear into your harness, making a fire etc. hands on practical approach. In the evenings we’ll have a drink on the deck and talk.
Once we’re ready, we’ll move to the Southern Alps. These mountains are remote, many valleys do not even have a trail, not saying road so vol-bivouac mode is the only reasonable choice. We’ll fly whenever possible and the goal is to go deep into the mountains for 3-5 days, weather dependant (however every weather is a good weather to be in the mountains!) we can’t promise a particular route but we can promise it will be an unforgettable adventure!
You’ll learn:
How to plan your XC day, hike & fly adventure or vol-bivouac expedition (cartography, weather, topography, etc.)
How to predict weather and to assess conditions on site
How to choose a line in the air, how to fly faster and more efficiently?How to move through the mountains on the ground?
Lee side – how to use it and not get into trouble
How to choose your top landing and bivouac location
Take off and top landing techniques (we’ll practice a lot too!)
General physical preparation (for a competition and an expedition)
How to manage the mind (motivation, emotions, fear etc.)
How to choose your flight equipment?
How to choose and use the safety gear?
Repairing material, rip stop, sewing, gluing etc.
First aid kit
How to manage food and water in the mountains
Managing energy and electronics consumption
The means of communication
Particular dangers of bivouac (fatigue, heavy harness, fear of having to walk, etc.)
Use of pg equipment for a spontaneous bivouac
And anything else you want to know!
Depending on your preferences, we’ll focus more on XC aspects or on vol-bivouac, it all depends what you’re interested in.
To book your spot, send us an email via Contact Form and we’ll discuss the details. To confirm your participation, you’ll be asked to pay 20% deposit. The deposit is non refundable but it can be transfered to another date, any other group adventure or 1:1 coaching, or to another pilot you send our way.
