• What was your first contact with paragliding?
When I was a little kid, I saw a paraglider flying for the first time on a hill near our city. I was lucky to have many takeoff spots close to where I was born.
• What is your paragliding specialization, and what drew you to focus on this particular aspect of the sport?
I’ve been flying for more than 20 years now. For many years, I was very passionate about acro flying, but I also follow cross-country, accuracy landing, tandem paragliding, mini-wing, and speed flying.
• How long have you been flying, and where do you fly the most?
I started as a kid, and I’ve been flying for over 20 years now.
• What is your best flight so far?
I love all my flights, so it’s hard to say which one was the best. I enjoy discovering new areas, flying over the Great Wall of China, Pancas in Brazil, the dunes in the middle of the UAE desert, or the Alps. I really can’t choose just one!
• Have you faced any fears or significant challenges while flying, and how did you overcome them?
When I was a teenager in 2009, I had a serious crash. I broke nearly my entire body, including my back and ribs. I had to stay in bed for a long time, and the only thing that kept me going was the thought of flying again. Flying is the biggest part of my life.
• Do you have any specific routines or rituals that you follow before taking off?
I always do a five-point safety check before takeoff, double-checking all critical safety aspects. This routine helps me stay safe and continue doing this sport for as long as possible.
• What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during your paragliding career?
Be patient and gain experience step by step. You need to observe the bigger picture. If you’re not patient, if you rush through your training, or if you don’t properly assess conditions, you will face accidents. This applies not only to paragliding but to life in general.
• Who or what inspires you to keep pushing boundaries in paragliding?
I was lucky to have many friends who helped me push my limits. The first person was Alireza. I don’t know what he saw in me at such a young age, but he was the first person who believed in me and supported me in flying different wings and different disciplines, like cross-country and acro. Later, I got in touch with Horacio to learn more about acro. Back then, there were no real resources available, so he helped me online by watching my acro videos and giving me advice.
• What inspired you to become a part of the Sky Squadron team, and how does the brand's vision align with your personal goals as a pilot?
I first started working with Sky Paragliders as a dealer while being a team pilot for another brand. Over time, as I got to know them better, I felt a deep connection with Sky Paragliders, the way they design their gliders and how much they care about their pilots. Before long, Sky Paragliders became like my family.
• Can you share a memorable experience you've had while flying?
My daughter was just eight years old, and she had always dreamed of doing an infinity tumble. We did her first tandem infinity when she was only eight, making her the youngest person in the world to try it. It was an incredibly emotional moment for me to see that she loves acro just as much as I do.
• Where do you see your paragliding career taking you in the future, and what are your ultimate goals or aspirations within the sport?
I want to help more pilots achieve their goals in the safest way possible. As much as I love testing and developing wings, I also love teaching. So far, I have trained over 300 students from 33 countries.
• What do your family and close friends think about your paragliding career, and how do they support or influence your journey?
My family has always been very supportive. When I was a kid, my parents would take me to the takeoff with sandwiches and food, and we would spend the whole day on the hill while I flew. My mom was even my first passenger! Later, I got married, and my wife was a national team pilot, competing in many PWC events. We were both on the right path together.
• How do you perceive the risks involved in paragliding, and how do you manage them during your flights?
It’s important to understand the level of risk and avoid unnecessary dangers. The best way to manage risk is through proper education, self-awareness, and the ability to assess yourself, your attitude, experience, skills, and knowledge.
