Podcast

The Cloudbase Mayhem podcast is where you will find fascinating and educational interviews with the best free-flight pilots in the world. If you fly a hanglider, paraglider, sailplane, wingsuit, or Hot Air balloon; if you fly acro or cross country, the Cloudbase Mayhem is where we glean how the great pilots of the world get there. Hosted by Red Bull X-Alps pilot, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year and former holder of the North American foot launch record, Gavin McClurg.

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#256 From Newbie to the Red Bull X-Alps with Sebrand Warren

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Sebrand Warren got his start paragliding just a few short years ago in the US but got hooked immediately and set his sights on the ultimate challenge- the Red Bull X-Alps. Last year he dedicated himself 110% to the race by moving his life, job, and girlfriend to France to learn the intricacies of the Alps and the relentless physical training that is required to compete. In this episode we discuss the challenges and experiences surrounding the Red Bull X-Alps, including Sebrand’s recovery from a serious injury that happened just days after the race ended, the mental challenges faced during the race, and the importance of team dynamics.

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#255 XC Concepts in depth with Calef Letorney

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In this episode I dive in once again with Calef Letorney to explore advanced cross-country techniques, focusing on thermal flying, the impact of wind, the concept of shark flying and a lot more. We discuss the importance of understanding day conditions, recognizing when to shift gears in flight, and the strategies that can lead to more efficient navigation in the air. The conversation is rich with insights and personal experiences, making it a valuable resource for both novice and experienced paragliders. We further explore the intricacies of cross-country (XC) flying, focusing on racing strategies, thermal management, gliding tips and the importance of teamwork. We discuss the nuances of timing in racing, understanding when to move on from climbs, and the significance of risk-taking in achieving success.

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Bonus Episode- Thermalling with Mitch Riley

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Veteran PWC pilot, long-time paragliding instructor, Red Bull X-Alps competitor and 2025 US National Champion Mitch Riley explains how to climb more efficiently during a weather day of the Red Rocks Wide Open this September 2025. He covers ground from the basics to the expert and everything in between. Looking to fly faster or farther? Tune in.

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#254 Simon Oberrauner and Cracking the Code

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Austrian athlete Simon Oberauner has competed in the Red Bull X-Alps five times and has always finished in 6th place or better. In this year’s race he placed third for the second time, a mere seconds behind Lars Meerstetter after over 1200 kilometers (course line!) and 8 days of ferocious racing across the Alps. Simon reflects on his amazing experiences in this years race and the importance of attitude, teamwork, and training evolution. He shares insights on navigating risks, the legacy of the 8-time champion Chrigel Maurer, and offers suggestions for improving the race experience. Simon emphasizes the balance between safety and adventure, highlighting the need for understanding one’s strengths and the role of a supportive team in achieving success.

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#253 Ask Me Anything with Karlis Jaunpetrovičs

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We depart from the Red Bull X-Alps in this episode and dive into a whole bunch of questions that have come in this past year from our listeners. And instead of answering them on my own we return to Karlis Jaunpetrovičs, former test pilot for BGD and current head of his own instructional SIV, coaching, and guiding (as well as running competitions) company Flying Karlis. We cover a lot of very solid ground here, especially when we got into reserves.

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#252 Beyond Limits with Celine Lorenz

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Join us as we delve into the remarkable flying career of Celine Lorenz, a passionate paraglider who took to the skies at a young age. Discover how a tandem flight gift sparked her lifelong love for flying, leading her to save every penny for her license and equipment. Celine shares her early experiences, from working at her mother’s refuge in the Alps to fund her dream, to the determination that drove her to skip school for training. This episode captures the essence of Celine’s adventurous spirit and her unwavering commitment to flying which lead her to compete on the World Cup and the Red Bull X-Alps, competing this year for the second time.

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#251 Risk and the Red Bull X-Alps with 9 time competitor Tom De Dorlodot

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In this conversation, four-time competitor and 2-time color commentator Gavin McClurg and 9-time competitor and Red Bull athlete Tom De Dorlodot discuss Tom’s continued recovery journey after a serious injury over a year ago snow-kiting in Norway and his recent emotional return to flying. They reflect on both of their recent Red Bull X-Alps experiences this June, exploring the dynamics of risk management in paragliding, the influence of gear and technology on performance, and the impact of media on the public perception of risk. The conversation also touches on the camaraderie among pilots and the future of the Red Bull X-Alps, emphasizing the balance between competitiveness and safety in high-stakes flying. We discuss the complexities of paragliding competitions, particularly the Red Bull X-Alps. They explore the pressures faced by athletes, the role of the organization when it comes to safety, and the tricky balance between racing and responsibility.

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#250, Red Bull X-Alps Post-Race with Tanguy, Rémi, Jared, Juraj, Jean, and Shane

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Just hours after some of the athletes finished this years stunning Red Bull X-Alps I caught up with Tanguy Renoud-Goud (FRA 4), Rémi Bourdelle (FRA 5), Jared Scheid (USA), Juraj Koreñ (SVK), Jean De Biolley (BEL 2) and Shane Tighe (AUS) to quickly get their highs and lows from the race, most memorable moments and the toughest question to answer- will they do it again? We are releasing this podcast as a regular audio podcast as well as a video version. All the recordings were done at the athlete camp. Tuck in!

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#249 Koen Vancampenhoudt and gaining knowledge through passion

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dutch pilot Koen Vancampenhoudt shares his journey as a paraglider, highlighting his record-breaking flight in Mexico, the challenges he faced, and his early experiences flying with zero information in Fiji. He reflects on the importance of safety training, the thrill of downwind flying, and the lessons learned throughout his flying career. Koen emphasizes the need for proper instruction and the value of learning from experiences, both good and bad, in the world of paragliding. In this often hysterical episode Koen shares his journey as a paragliding enthusiast and salesman, discussing the challenges and triumphs of flying in the Carolinas, his several experiences with legal troubles, and the importance of community in the sport.

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#248 The art of being Bold with Antoine Girard

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French pilot and serious adventurer Antoine Girard has laid down some of the boldest lines on Earth, and he’s been doing it for a long time. Antoine competed in the Red Bull X-Alps four times, starting in 2013 where he found himself on the podium (3rd), again in 2015 (4th), 2017 (badly injured), and 2019 (retired due to continued trouble with the injury sustained in 2017). He’s pulled off some of the most extreme expeditions in paragliding and mountaineering in Pakistan on 6 different trips, flew from west to east across the Andes, was nearly killed in Eritrea (by people, not flying), flew the length of the south island of New Zealand, and is currently traversing the United States from the Mexico border to the Northern Canadian Rockies.

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