2023 Athletes

Greg Chilton
Greg Chilton

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!

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!

Jason Harper
Jason Harper

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!

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!

Jeremy Smith
Jeremy Smith

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.

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.

Oliver Clothier
Oliver Clothier

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 .

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 .

David Drewette
David Drewette

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!

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!

Stuart Mayson
Stuart Mayson

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

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

Jorgen Tscheng
Jorgen Tscheng

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!

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!

Steven Mackintosh
Steven Mackintosh

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!

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!

Andrew Cullen
Andrew Cullen

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!

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!

Alan Styan
Alan Styan

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.

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.

John Westal
John Westal

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.

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.

Liam Byrne
Liam Byrne

Ben Henson
Ben Henson

Steve Ashley
Steve Ashley

I just like to run and fly.

I just like to run and fly.

Nick Hoult
Nick Hoult

Dave (Dangerous) Ashcroft
Dave (Dangerous) Ashcroft

Andy Read
Andy Read

Carl Scragg
Carl Scragg

Kerry Best
Kerry Best

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.

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.

Paul Bingham
Paul Bingham

Andy Howson
Andy Howson

Lewis_John
Lewis_John

Jonathan Price
Jonathan Price

David_Ross
David_Ross

William Clive
William Clive

Stephen_Simpson
Stephen_Simpson

Ruth_Peacegood
Ruth_Peacegood