I was the last of the “First Five” to fly the Phoenix under a tandem paragliding wing. The morning session had dead wind and unfortunately a flight did not materialize. We came back to the Sun Valley Inn for a few hour rest to burn some time before getting to try one last time to find some perfect wind sets to get me off the ground and flying.

I was hooked onto the wing with Chuck as my tandem pilot. The gear was triple checked and then we waited for the wind we needed to get off the ground safely. I was first in line with all eyes on me and the pull-crew helpers that would attempt to get me in the air the first time. A steady wind hit and all were moving forward with me holding my breath.

The chair yawed to the left following the wing with us about 4 feet in the air. A big gust fully filled the wing and we shot up hard and fast with me now able to take a breath. I heard Chuck take some relief breaths of air too!

I think I was in the air for around 55 minutes.

I took over the toggles and wow that was beyond what I had imagined. I executed a number of smoothly coordinated turns at the controls and loved every second of it!

The adrenaline was pumping from start to finish. Thanks to Chuck’s expert piloting, the landing was flawless, with the Phoenix on all four wheels and rolled to a peaceful stop.

The peace didn’t last long with everyone running over to pat me on the back, shake my hand and even one lady gave me a smooch on the cheek! The frosting on the cake would have been to have had my wife and twins here to watch my flight.

There is risk. But there is risk in anything you do everyday. Paragliding is no different. The key is having safe equipment and competent instructors that teach you the fundamentals over and over until they are second nature.

I will be ready to go again as soon as I have the chance along with access to the equipment needed to do it.