I'm Jacob Aubrey from Kendal, in the Lake District. My introduction to the fells was through fell running where I have competed from a young age. My passion was always to fly and in 2020 I discovered paragliding. I've flown every opportunity since! The prospect of being airborne fuels my energy and helps me climb the fells. In 2022 I competed in the Dragon Hike and Fly which was great fun! I competed in this event again in 2023. I have flown in 5 competitions and competed for the Junior GB Paragliding team in 2023. I'm keen to progress in my XC and Hike and fly capabilities wherever that may be!

Jason is a pg pilot from the flatlands of Norfolk. a far cry and very different contrast to the terrain the lakes district has to offer. He has Been Paragliding since the late 90's where he trained on the south downs he is now in his 4th year of competing in the x-lakes challenge and regards the competition as as a great motivation and to get him away from the flatlands and improve year on year on his overall fitness as well as flying in some of the best scenery the UK has to offer.

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.

Greg Chilton, 29. Competitive UK Hike and Fly pilot: 2022 Dragon Hike and Fly Winner, 2023 X-Scotia Winner, X-Lakes 2022 and 2023 3rd Place. Flying Ozone Zeolite and BogDanFly Pizza Greg actively trains with Team Malvern, a collective group of keen Hike and Fly Pilots based in Malvern.

I’ve been flying since 2021 and X-Lakes 2024 will be my first competition.

Hailing from North Yorkshire, I have lived and flown in the Moors, Dales, and Fells for a lot of my flying career, but I am now based in Somerset. Hike and fly was a natural progression for me, being an enthusiastic climber, runner, and cyclist. My first toe dip into hike and fly competition was the X-Lakes 1 day academy, and since then I have been actively participating in hike and fly challenges in the UK. This is my first time taking part in the Hardcore X-Lakes, and I’m very excited for the challenge.

I'm definitely not an athlete, just someone who enjoys being out in nature, so the X-Lakes (and similar events) is a great opportunity to get out there and share a wonderful experience. I got my CP in 2003 and have been passionate about the sport ever since. I'd dreamed of leaving the ground and floating into the sky from when I was a small child, so to actually be able to do that has been incredible. Harnessing nature's forces to take to the sky and fly like a bird is a gift; magical and inspirational.

Since discovering it a few years ago, hike and fly has become a true passion - either by myself or on a tandem with my kids! I was mainly flying in the alps for fun, but then I discovered Hike and Fly competitions! Being super competitive (mainly at Catan/Risk/Monopoly, etc!) I've been obsessed with comps ever since! I have now competed at home and abroad in 6 competitions, and have enjoyed racing alongside some amazing athletes. I'm looking forward to this year ahead.

Based in South Wales, I’ve competed in the Dragon hike and fly 6 times and spread my wings to take on the X Lakes and X Eryri in 2023. I’ve loved my solo vol biv adventures in the French and Swiss alps and am spoilt by the grassy slopes and beautiful flying and fell running from the local Bannau Brycheiniog.

Right after training, Ben cycled around the world with a wing on the back of the bike flying in some of the world's biggest mountains. Now he's back in the Europe he's focussing on the hike and fly scene and solo volbiv adventures.

Born on the Isle of Wight Lawrie gained his passion for aviation being surrounded by family in this area. His father taught paragliding/hang gliding and gliding, his cousin and uncle both flew in the military and this stemmed his love of aviation. He has been flying since 2009 (aged 18) and has competed in a multitude of more standard paragliding competitions all the way from the British Paragliding Cup all the way up to the Paragliding World Cups. Having flown almost all of the different types of para wings over the last 15 years his focus is now on fitness and learning and pushing himself in the realms of Hike and Fly.

Dangerous

2 x Bornes to Fly 4 x Bordairline races 4 x Dragon H

**Paragliding Experience:** With over a decade of soaring through the skies, my passion for paragliding has been a constant companion in my journey through the great outdoors. From the exhilaration of flight to the serenity of camping beneath the stars, each moment fuels my love for adventure. **Achievements:** While my paragliding endeavours have taken me to competitions like the Chabre Open, it's the fusion of outdoor pursuits that truly defines my journey. Whether scaling mountains, hiking rugged trails, or taking flight, every experience is a testament to my enduring spirit of exploration.

Been flying 5 years. Was introduced by a kitesurf buddy to the world of paragliding for those light wind days and bigger air time. The sport lights up the joy of flight, the outdoors and comradery in me. Flying is in my blood with my late grandfather having severed for the RAF. He's my hero, tales of his Spit flying days having been embedded as a child, live on in me now. Been into hike and fly for 3 years competing in the Griffin, Dragon and X-Eryie. The BP Cup took me to Bulgaria last year which introduced me to edge of the ranges flying. Sky's the limit they say and weather permitting I'm always wanting to push higher and further. This sport takes my body and mind to places I can only dream of.

This will be my third hike and fly race, and comes after a couple of year's break. Previously attempted a Dragon, and a 1 day X Lakes. Looking forward to having a wander round familiar fells, as I grew up in the South Lakes, though I don't visit as much as I should! I'm based in Sheffield so have lots of XC sites around, not the best hike and fly training ground but excellent nonetheless.

Flying since 1990 probably makes me the oldest competitor in the X-Lakes - hopefully my knees will hold up. And my back 😂. I've done the Dragon and X-Eryri H

Since learning to paraglide in South Wales 3 years ago I've been obsessed, and have been flying all around Europe ever since. Coming second in the GRYFN in 2022 ignited my interest in hike and fly racing, and I participated in the Dragon this year. I'm looking forward to participating in more European events next year.

I've been flying since 2021 and this will be my fourth H and F race (previously done 1-day X-Lakes and two Dragon H and F races). Looking forward to a great weekend outdoors with likeminded people.