2022 Athletes
From a background of competitive kiteboarding. Hike and Fly Pilot from Malvern Hang Gliding Club, living in the heart of the Cotswolds. • Winner X lakes 1-day 2020, • 3rd Place Dragon Hike and Fly 2021. • Participant; Dragon 20, X-Lakes 21, X-Eryri 2021 Hike and Fly adventure racing is by far my favourite flying discipline and I'm fortunate to share the adventure with such a fantastic squad from MHGC!
The terrain of the Lakes couldn’t be more of a contrast to Norfolk pilot Jason, however after thoroughly enjoying X-Lakes in 2021 he’s back from the lowlands to once again take on the Wainwrights and enjoy the fantastic scenery and flying this competition offers. This time with some experience of what to expect and packing lighter for the hikes he is hoping to show that flatlanders can also be a home in the mountains!
I started Paragliding in 2000 in the Peak District and from there, paragliding has taken me all over the UK and Europe. I currently fly with the Sir George Cayley Sail Wing Club wherever and whenever I can. I caught he Hike and Fly bug in 2020 participating in the X-Lakes , this has opened up a great new flying adventure experience and I have not looked back, still a boy scout at heart.
Ollie Clothier a Commercial Diver and Industrial Climber has been flying for 7 years has quickly evolved into a well rounded pilot. Selected By the BPRA (British Paragliding Racing Academy) 2 years ago he has moved up thro the world rankings to top 500 this year upgrading to an Ozone Enzo 3. He is hoping to add hike and fly racing to his accolades and this will be his first event . Ollie is currently training to row 3000 miles across the Atlantic so is not afraid of putting in the hard training needed .
I live in Geneva and fly most afternoons at Salève. When it is “ON” I usually start the flying day in Chamonix, Verbier, Crans Montana or Vercorin in Valais. Apart from XC, I am really into para-alpinism, and try to set as many 4000 metre climb and fly missions as possible over the winter and summer seasons. I have never flown in the UK, but I am looking forward to discovering the area, and if it is not flying... going to the pub and having a real ale! I will be flying with a Woody Valley GTO lite 2, and either an Alpina or Klimber 2.
Sheffield based but love the fells of home. Last year the one day event was a highly enjoyable and memorable day out, I really enjoyed pushing myself, in terms of both hill fitness and flying ability (both lacking!). Looking forward to taking on the longer event this year and seeing how much fun, adventure, and suffering can be had. Lots to learn...
With experience in skydiving and nearly 1000 jumps, I then got into competitive hill running around the hills in central Scotland. Put the two together and you get Hike and Fly! A good day for me is just running in the hills, but a superb day is running and then flying!
Returning to the lakes for the hardcore again be an experience, hopefully type 1 fun, but I imagine with the weather in the lakes it'll probably be type 2 😱 for a fair portion of the time. This year I WILL download the waypoints, mapping, bring a charging cable and will not shout at random pilots in the air asking them where to go 😬 hopefully land in the right valley at the end?!
Chief flying instructor, tandem paraglider pilot and Paramotor pilot for movies and tv crews
Been PG for 2 years. Love the adventure of a good hike and see what the day and terrain offer. Been watching the X-lakes for a while and I am really excited to take part.
Supporter in 2021, first-time competitor this year. Back for the views!
Mark Haase from the USA! Fly and Hike is my game and I plan on having a blast. I own www.fireflyparagliding.com school here in South Lake Tahoe where we fly in the Owens valley, California. My local hill is at 2000m and climbs to 3700m. We hike or backcountry ski pretty much every day. I am ready to run and crush some peaks!
I’ve been Paragliding since the latter end of 2015 where I learned to fly at Keswick in the Lakes. Since then, I have developed with the help of the AHPA. I find flying by Paraglider the perfect adventure tool. And as I continue to fill the bag of experience, I look forward to my first X-Lakes, having already completed several hike n fly events.
I woke up one morning and decided I would give Hike and Fly racing a go. I've discovered that the training and journey to the race is the biggest reward for me. I've been flying for 12 years and not running for 25 years. 3 Abergavenny three peaks challenges 2 Welsh Dragons 1 Xlakes
Swiss "Kolibri“ pilot in both senses of the word, coming from the Canton of Berne, like a well-known “Eagle”… British weather – wind and rain? I’m curious to see if it will end-up as an ultra-trail for me. But one sure thing: bivouac is mandatory!
I am a Swiss pilot living in the UK, and a keen comp, XC and hike and fly pilot. I did the X-Pyr as an supporter a few years ago, to get a taste of these sort of races and I loved it! I now want to compete myself and push my limits.
Paragliding since 2010, this will be my first hike and fly race and I'm looking forward to taking part! I'll be flying under an Alpina 2 in an Ozium 2.
I have now been paragliding for over 30 years and I am at my happiest when pursuing a VolBiv adventure, whether in this country or in bigger mountains abroad. This will be my second year competing in Hike and Fly races and very excited to be returning to the X-Lakes. I had a truly amazing time amongst some great pilots in last years X-Lakes and gained a lot of knowledge which will provide an added boost to this years attempt, hopefully helping me achieve getting across the finish line with more than 1 minute to spare!
After a bout a bad health led me to cancel my place last year, I’m ready to finally tackle the hardcore XLakes this year for the first time! Already a seasoned hike and flyer, I’m looking forward to competing in the area I grew up in, and hoping that my training in the gym over the winter has me back in the game. Bring it on!
From a background of mountain running and rock climbing, paragliding is my latest obsession which I discovered in the depths of COVID in 2020. I’m ready to absorb lots of knowledge and have a blast in my first season of hike and fly racing!
This will be my first solo paragliding race so throwing myself in at the deep end!!! I raced the dragon hike and fly race in 2021 on Tandem with Greg Hamerton and got the bug for hike and fly racing. Very much a rookie so will be pushing hard on the ground and playing safe in the air. Lets see how it all goes.
Started flying March 2015 and qualified August of the same year. Passed Pilots rating March 2016 and coaching course Feb 2017. Attended SIV course Sept 2017 location Turkey. Veteran of the 2019 and 2020 X Lakes H and F, best position 4th, winners of the team event. Veteran of the 2020 Dragon H and F Position 2nd. Veteran of the Lakes Charity Classic 2017, 2018, 2019 best position 1st. Veteran of the North South Cup 2019 and 2020 best position winners.
I just like to run and fly.
Competitor in the Dragon Hike and fly twice, have Vol bivved up the Alps to Switzerland in 2019. Flown the British Opens for 10 years and been safety officer on the British Paragliding Comps panel.
X-lakes day-tripper in 2021 which was my first hike
First time competitor, looking forward to the adventure and views. And hoping to fly more than hiking.
I have been flying for about 15 years and love the hills, flying, walking, camping and meeting like minded people so cant think of a better way to spend a weekend. I have done the Dragon and X Eryri and enjoyed them both so supper excited about the X Lakes.
I'm a Canadian, now living in Stirling. Climbing, trail running, and flying are what I love to do. Looking forward to a fun weekend in the Lake District.
French/German paraglider and former sailplane pilot for over 10 years, keen XC flyer who’s struggled to fly regularly the last couple of years due to working in London – so I recently decided to quit my job and spend more time in the air! Looking forward to my first H and F race and experiencing the Lake District (hopefully) from above.
Love flying and mountains.
