In this episode, adventurer and filmmaker Benjamin Kellett returns to the Mayhem by popular demand to share his rather awesome adventurous paragliding journeys across the Himalaya, Karakorum, and Europe in what has become an annual migration. Ben discusses the challenges of high-altitude flying, gear choices, and the evolving landscape of tandem paragliding regulations and a LOT more. Discover insights into character-building expeditions, the impact of weather phenomena like the “Super” El Nino this year, and future plans for exploration. Ben chases the aesthetic of flying better than just about anyone. Prepare to be inspired!
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Ben Kellett’s migratory schedule and destinations Challenges of high-altitude and bivy flying in Karakorum and Himalaya Gear choices and filming techniques for aerial adventures Impact of weather phenomena like El Nino on flying conditions Regulations and permits for remote and protected areas Future exploration plans and bucket list destinations
Kris Holub is one of the most versatile pilots in the American free-flight community — an accomplished acro competitor, XC pilot, and SIV/acro instructor who has spent the last four years running clinics out of Oludeniz, Turkey. Gavin sat down with Kris in person during a weather day at the US Nationals in Chelan this June to talk about his extraordinary winter season in Bariloche, Argentina, where he and his friend Marcos Rosenkjer explored one of the most underrated and unknown and seriously awesome XC destinations in the world — and capped it off with a 345km convergence flight into the Patagonian desert.
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Kris Holub is one of the most versatile pilots in the American free-flight community — an accomplished acro competitor, XC pilot, and SIV/acro instructor who has spent the last four years running clinics out of Oludeniz, Turkey. Gavin sat down with Kris in person during a weather day at the US Nationals in Chelan this June to talk about his extraordinary winter season in Bariloche, Argentina, where he and his friend Marcos Rosenkjer explored one of the most underrated and unknown and seriously awesome XC destinations in the world — and capped it off with a 345km convergence flight into the Patagonian desert.
This conversation covers everything from the meteorology of the famous Patagonian dry-line convergence (think Texas dry line, but bigger and more reliable) to Kris’s philosophy on SIV training, his journey from robotics engineer to full-time acro instructor, and a refreshingly honest “stall rant” that challenges some of the community’s most deeply held assumptions about what pilots actually need to learn — and when. Please don’t just listen to this one, check out Kris’ images and videos below and check out Kris’ instagram for some unreal videos from the trip.
This is the first episode where we are launching two versions- a shorter 30 minute version on our normal podcast channel, and the full version on our subscriber channel. We never put anything behind a paywall, if you aren’t a subscriber of the show and can’t afford to support our content, just email me and I’ll set you up with a lifetime subscription, no questions asked. Confused? Find out how to listen to the subscriber channel here. This post has the shorter version below.
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Bariloche, Argentina as a world-class XC destination: the terrain, climate, local flying community, and why it’s not the savage Fitzroy-style Patagonia most people imagine
The Patagonian dry-line convergence: how it sets up, how to read it on SkyEye and Skysight, and why it could support 500km+ flights on the right day
The 345km convergence flight: a 9-hour epic that included a first-ever vol biv, a near-dark desert landing in cactus field, and sleeping two nights under the stars
Why Starlink changed everything for XC flying in the Patagonian steppe
Vol biv logistics in extremely remote terrain with no roads on Google Maps
The lifestyle case for Bariloche vs. the Roldan/Valle Columbia circuit: world-class backpacking, climbing, wing foiling, kite boarding, and skiing on the non-fly days
Kris’s acro origin story: from a 15-hour pilot in Turkey to infinite tumbling in Gerlitzen in under two years
Quitting engineering twice to pursue flying — and why teaching acro scratches a completely different itch than tandem
The 2024 acro competition season: placing 3rd at his first Acro World Qualifier, the ego trap of performing well, and why the XContest black hole and the acro comp black hole feel eerily similar
The SIV philosophy: why Kris builds the spiral progression before collapses, and why “lockout spiral” is a misleading term
The stall rant: why stalls are not the holy grail, when they actually help, and what pilots are missing by fast-forwarding to them
Why wingovers may be the single most transferable SIV drill for everyday XC flying
The “search for spin” as an underrated and surprisingly un-scary maneuver that every pilot should experience
How acro training expands your situational awareness “soda straw” — and why that matters more than any specific maneuver
The new subscriber channel format: what’s changing and what’s staying free forever
Mentioned in This Episode:
Marcos Rosenkjer — Argentine pilot and Bariloche local, mastermind behind the convergence missions
Hernan Pitoco — Cordoba-based pilot who joined the convergence flight crew
Skysight and XCSkies — the forecasting tools that called the convergence accurately
UTI (Convergence layer on Oudie) — the instrument overlay that shows the convergence line in real time
Antoine Girard — the French para-alpinist whose record flights above Broad Peak inspired the Patagonia crew
Santacroce (Santa) — the coach who taught Chris his first stalls
Colin Papa — the coach who taught Chris rhythmic SAT through infinite in Gerlitzen
Mike Jimenez / CoPilot — the acro coach Chris hired for his 2024 comp season
Where to Find Kris:
Kris runs SIV and acro clinics primarily out of Oludeniz, Turkey each spring and fall. Go to beyondsiv.com
In this episode I sit down for a super fun chat with longtime instructor and one of the coolest cats around, Chandler Papas, the owner of Desert Wind Paragliding. Chandler shares his life-long journey into paragliding, the importance of good instruction, risk management, and cultivating gratitude for a safer and more fulfilling flying experience. We had a blast and I didn’t want it to end. Enjoy!
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Journey into paragliding and early influences Importance of qualified instruction and continuous learning Risk management and judgment in flying The role of gratitude and mindset in safety and enjoyment Community, mentorship, and sharing knowledge in the sport
Sound Bites
“I want to live life to the fullest” “Judgment is the key to safe flying” “Celebrate the little stuff, it’s all part of the journey”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Paragliding Passion 03:00 The Journey Begins: Early Influences and Discoveries 06:01 Training and Mentorship: Learning from the Best 08:52 The Importance of Qualified Instruction 12:01 Navigating the Challenges of Paragliding Training 15:08 Finding the Right Instructor and School 17:59 Commitment to the Sport: Understanding Costs and Risks 22:18 Learning the Art of Surfing Etiquette 24:34 Finding the Right Instructor for You 27:07 Understanding the Risks of Paragliding 30:08 The Importance of Judgment in Paragliding 35:27 Navigating the Challenges of Paragliding Training 42:10 The Role of Gratitude in Paragliding 47:56 Living Life to the Fullest Through Paragliding 50:16 The Power of Gratitude in Aviation 53:07 Mindset and Decision Making in Paragliding 56:27 Embracing the Challenge of Early Thermals 01:01:39 Navigating Fear and Intuition in Flight 01:06:28 Reflections on Growth and Learning in Paragliding
Resources: Cuervo (David Prentice) – Paragliding Instructor – https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-prentice Salt Lake City Paragliding School – https://www.saltlakeparagliding.com U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) – https://www.ushpa.org
Veteran Hang Gliding pilot Erika Klein shares her journey into the sport, the unique aspects of dune flying, and insights on safety, gear, and growing the sport. This episode offers valuable tips for beginners and enthusiasts alike- and if you haven’t hang glided will get you very keen to go prone!
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Dune flying techniques and locations Safety misconceptions and gear considerations Growth and accessibility of hang gliding Use of video analysis for training and improvement Progression in the sport and community dynamics
sound bites
“Hang gliders can do more than just go fast” “Hang gliders don’t collapse if maintained properly” “Speed is safety in hang gliding”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dune Flying and Hang Gliding 02:46 Erika’s Journey into Hang Gliding 05:49 The Evolution of Hang Gliding and Paragliding 08:59 The Role of Social Media in Hang Gliding 11:37 Innovations in Hang Gliding Equipment 14:34 Future of Hang Gliding: Growth and Challenges 17:35 Misconceptions Between Hang Gliding and Paragliding 20:41 Landing Techniques and Safety in Hang Gliding 23:35 Passion for Flying: What Keeps Pilots Engaged 26:57 The Dynamics of Gender in Hang Gliding 29:19 Experiences as a Female Pilot 31:14 Goals and Improvement in Paragliding 33:16 Safety Concerns in Paragliding 35:49 The Data Dilemma in Aviation Safety 38:35 Comparing Hang Gliding and Paragliding Safety 42:45 The Reality of Risk in Aviation 44:36 Teaching New Pilots About Danger 46:40 Learning to Fly: Hang Gliding vs. Paragliding 48:28 The Importance of Training Hills 49:55 Finding the Right School for Hang Gliding 52:21 Going Beyond Comfort Zones in Flying 54:28 The Role of Simulators in Pilot Training 56:13 Misconceptions in the Air: Hang Gliders vs. Paragliders 01:03:21 The Role of Video in Flight Training 01:09:13 Safety and Equipment: Lessons from Experience
South African pilot and veteran sailor Ben Hodgson has been competing in some of the most well-known and intense hike and fly races around the world for a decade, beginning with the XBerg in 2017 and then advancing to the Bornes to Fly, X-Pyr and many others. Last year he was the main supporter for the Wunderkind rookie Gabe Jansen in the Red Bull X-Alps after they met competing in a hike and fly race in Brazil. Next week Ben will begin a new journey covering the X-Pyr as a live commentator from the ground and the air (much like I do for the Red Bull X-Alps!). In this episode we dive into Ben’s insights into training, strategy, and the passion and motivation that keeps him going. We cover what he’s learned as an athlete as well as a supporter, how the body is often stronger than the mind, how much fun you can have with a supporter (in this case his sister!) who knows absolutely nothing about paragliding, all kinds of tricks of the trade, finding flow and humor in stressful situations and a lot more. We both had a blast with this chat and hope you enjoy!
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Ben’s background in flying and racing The history and end of the Exberg race Differences between Pyrenees and Alps terrain Preparation and scouting for X-Pyr Support team dynamics and logistics Mental resilience and race mindset Lessons learned from race experiences Future plans for X-Alps and beyond
sound bites
“My first race was Exberg in 2017.” “Flying is my big focus, if I had to pick one.” “Your body is stronger than your mind.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hike and Fly Racing 02:45 Experiences in South Africa and Safety Concerns 05:57 The Journey into Paragliding 08:46 Transitioning from Kite Surfing to Paragliding 11:44 The X-Pyr Experience and Preparation 14:44 Challenges and Adventures in the Pyrenees 17:44 Comparing X-Pyr and X-Alps 20:44 Navigating the Pyrenees: Strategy and Support 23:37 Lessons Learned from the Race 26:39 The Role of Support Teams in Adventure Racing 35:13 Conflict Resolution in Adventure Racing 39:02 The Journey to X-Alps 46:04 Gabe’s Unexpected Rise in Racing 52:14 The Importance of Competition Flying 01:01:13 The Joy of Adventure and Community 01:07:53 Planning for Future Races
Imagine soaring through the skies at 6,000+ meters, shattering the proverbial glass ceiling in a country where female pilots are a rare sight. Today, we delve into the remarkable story of Fatemeh Eftekhari, Iran’s first serious female cross-country pilot and a trailblazer for women in aviation and extreme sports. Her journey is not just about flying; it’s about defying societal norms, pushing boundaries, and inspiring a new generation of women to chase their dreams no matter the obstacles. In a time of enormous geopolitical tensions and societal restrictions, Fatemeh’s story offers a breath of fresh air—an inspiring example of resilience, courage, and relentless pursuit of passion. Whether you’re an aspiring pilot, a supporter of women’s rights, or simply love an empowering story, her journey will change the way you see the sky, likely change the way you see Iran, and what someone with guts and grit can achieve in the sky as well as on the ground.
If you like what you hear, please consider becoming a subscriber to ensure our high-quality content continues. You can also help contribute to a healthier, greener planet through our partnership with Our Forest.
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Fatemeh’s background and how she became the first female cross-country pilot in Iran
Cultural and societal barriers faced by women in Iran pursuing aviation
The development of women’s participation in paragliding and cross-country flying
How she founded the Women’s Flight Society and the impact on Iranian women pilots
Differences between flying in Iran versus Europe, including airspace and safety
The role of Iranian hospitality and resilience amidst ongoing conflicts and war
Misconceptions about Iran and the true diversity of its landscapes and people
The importance of passion and purpose in flying, and her vision for the future
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction and guest’s background in Iranian aviation 02:15 – Societal constraints and her journey into becoming a pilot 04:50 – How she broke societal and gender barriers in Iran 08:10 – The establishment and evolution of women’s participation in paragliding in Iran 12:00 – Challenges of being the only woman competing internationally from Iran 16:00 – Breaking the “imaginary roof” for women and inspiring others 20:00 – The current state of women pilots in Iran and globally 24:30 – Flying in Iran’s airspace and safety considerations amidst restrictions 28:00 – Comparing flying experiences in Iran and Europe 32:00 – Misconceptions about Iran and its natural diversity 36:00 – Living through conflict and the resilience of Iranian society 40:00 – The impact of war on daily life and flying ambitions 44:00 – Middle East geopolitics, perceptions, and Iran’s cultural closeness to the US 48:00 – Advice for young women wanting to fly and pursue aviation dreams 52:00 – Fatemeh’s future goals and passion for flying 54:00 – Closing remarks and inspirational message
Explore the psychology of elite performance, flow states, and mindset with Bret Burchard, former NBA coach and author of Catching Confetti, Developing the Mindset of a Champion. Discover how mental training can transform sports, your flying, and everyday life. In this episode we step away from interviewing pilots and dig into mental performance. What is the underlying psychology of fear? How do we differentiate between irrational fear and wisdom? How can we enter Flow quicker, more efficiently and how can we get it back once we’ve lost it? How can we make better decisions under pressure? How does our ego help or hurt our performance? What is the process of rebuilding confidence after a setback? Is there ever too much confidence? Bret has coached some of the best NBA athletes on Earth, but what separates the very good from the great is often just what’s between the ears. And it’s exactly the same with flying.
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Flow state and how to access it The role of mindset and identity in performance Managing fear and stress under pressure
Sound Bites:
“Flow is a relaxed intensity of focus.” “You’re not defined by what you do.” “Relaxed intensity is the essence of flow.”
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Mindset and Flow States 01:42 Bret Burchard’s Journey in Basketball and Coaching 06:45 The Importance of Mental Training in Sports 10:26 Understanding Flow State and Performance Under Pressure 18:06 The Seven Mindsets for Elite Performance 23:06 Identity and Performance: The Core Connection 29:07 Embracing Fear for Performance 32:12 Preparing for Flow: Mindfulness and Identity 35:09 Mindfulness vs. Mindset: A Critical Distinction 36:49 Understanding Fear: Rational vs. Irrational 41:39 The Emotional Component of Fear 45:51 Visualization Techniques in Performance 54:41 Re-centering After Losing Flow 59:03 Building Mental Triggers for Relaxation 01:00:13 Understanding EMDR and Trauma Recovery 01:02:08 Rewiring Identity Fears and Insecurities 01:03:50 The Role of Ego in High-Performance Sports 01:10:43 Navigating Recovery from Physical and Mental Injuries 01:23:57 Applying Flow State to Everyday Life
Anthony Dillon learned to fly without any proper instruction back in the 90’s in Zimbabwe during the tumultuous Mugabe period. He spent 15 years flying in China (five of them alone) and has had a lifetime of epic flying adventures around the world, some rather daring flights, and has also unfortunately dealt with some serious injuries. Anthony initially reached out after hearing the episode with Serena Ronchi about how’s she’s successfully used EMDR therapy to deal with trauma from an accident as he’s also experienced benefits from the therapy to help him overcome PTSD from a recent crash. In this episode we’ll hear some wild stories about flying in Zimbabwe, China, Indonesia, and the U.S., along with insights into mental health tools like EMDR that helped Anthony overcome trauma. This episode highlights the resilience and love for adventure that keeps drawing pilots back to the skies.
Support the Podcast
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If you like what you hear, please consider becoming a subscriber to ensure our high-quality content continues. You can also help contribute to a healthier, greener planet through our partnership with Our Forest.
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Anthony’s early flying days in Zimbabwe and his first paragliding experiences in the bush war environment
Flying in China solo for five years without other pilots and the evolution of paragliding in China
Major crashes and injuries, including multiple spinal fractures and recovery journeys
How EMDR therapy played a crucial role in overcoming PTSD and trauma related to flying accidents
Tracking his flights over volcanoes in Indonesia and exploring Europe’s soaring sites in France and Switzerland
The bond with his children through tandem flights and training, sharing adventures with his sons
Recent flights in North Carolina after long breaks, experiencing high-performance wings
Reflections on what drives his love for flying — adventure, freedom, birds, and the spirit of exploration
Future plans for travel and adventures with his family, including flying in Africa, Cape Town, and upcoming competitions
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction and background of Anthony Dillon’s flying journey 02:00 – First paragliding experiences in Zimbabwe during the bush war 06:30 – Transition to flying in China alone and challenges faced 10:10 – Recovering from major injuries and the importance of back protection 14:00 – Rebuilding confidence and flying again in China with local clubs 19:00 – Cross-country adventures in China and flying from remote sites 23:00 – Indonesia volcano flying and near-misses that changed his approach 27:00 – Returning to flying after injury and the evolution of gear 32:00 – Accident in North Carolina, injuries sustained, and the mental recovery process 37:00 – How EMDR therapy helped him process trauma and anxiety 42:30 – The significance of adventure, freedom, and flying with family 45:45 – Future trips and adventures planned with his children 47:30 – Son’s accident and how it impacted Anthony’s perspective on safety and risk 48:40 – Closing thoughts: the importance of community and psychological resilience in flying
In this conversation I sit down with Brett Janaway, the organizer of the SRS series to discuss the evolution of this exciting new take on paragliding competitions, the structure and scoring of the SRS, and the unique vibe that sets it apart from traditional events. Brett shares insights into the challenges and successes of organizing competitions, the importance of community, and the non-profit nature of the SRS, which aims to enhance the sport while providing a fun and competitive environment for pilots. In this conversation we discuss the evolution of sports wings in paragliding, the impact of new safety regulations, and the balance between safety and competitiveness in the sport. We delve into the recent changes in ballast limits and performance limiters, the introduction of a lightweight world champion, and the implications of team size changes for national competitions. Finally, Brett provides insights for newcomers looking to enter the competitive paragliding scene. Enjoy!
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Brett Janaway has been organizing competitions since 2002. The SRS series aims to create a fun and competitive environment. Competitions are linked to allow cumulative scoring across events. The SRS uses a unique scoring system to accommodate varying participation levels. The vibe at SRS events is more relaxed compared to traditional competitions. High-level pilots participate, enhancing the competition experience. Local teams help organize events while maintaining core standards. Qualifiers are introduced to ensure event readiness and pilot entry. The SRS operates as a non-profit organization, focusing on community and sport development. Ruth’s commentary adds a unique and engaging element to the events. The evolution of sports wings has significantly improved performance. New regulations are being implemented to ensure safety in paragliding. Limitations on sports wings are necessary to preserve the sport’s integrity. The introduction of ballast limits aims to enhance safety for pilots. Data collection in paragliding is lacking, making it hard to assess safety measures. The lightweight world champion title encourages manufacturers to improve small wings. Team size changes aim to create fairness in national competitions. Newcomers should gain experience in local competitions before entering SRS events. The SRS environment accelerates learning for competitive pilots. Combining different paragliding events can create exciting opportunities.
Sound Bites
“The vibe is better.” “The SRS is just far more relaxed.” “It’s a pure racing series.” “I cannot touch one cent of the profits.” “They’re having a blast here.” “It really has changed the sport.” “It’s a magical place to race.” “It’s been a lot of fun.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background of Brett Janaway 03:11 The Genesis of the SRS Series 05:56 Structure and Scoring of the SRS 08:53 Popularity and Vibe of the SRS 11:56 Event Organization and Team Dynamics 14:57 Qualifiers and Entry into the SRS 17:59 The Non-Profit Nature of the SRS 20:58 Conclusion and Future of the SRS 21:08 The Evolution of Sports Wings 25:07 Safety and Regulation Changes in Paragliding 31:43 Balancing Safety and Competitiveness 37:54 Getting Started in Competitive Paragliding
