Yesterday I went paragliding. And before yesterday, I had no idea that I was going to – which made it all the more exciting! After a team meeting at Lululemon (new job excitement) my plan was to head off for a quick hike up to the Skyline Gondola. But before I knew it I was commandeered by Jess (fellow Lululemonite) who was on her way up to paraglide, and swiftly recruited me to join her. Of course I was more than willing, and so ensued a spontaneous paragliding trip!
With no time to think about what was happening I was paired up with Clem, the only female paragliding instructor in the team (rad) and clipped into my harness. All strapped in and in position, I was instructed to run over the edge and down the mountain. Fighting against all my natural instincts I ran, or at least tried to, and suddenly we were running on air, as the wind lifted us up and we started to fly.
Having not been at all apprehensive on ground, I had a momentary “holy shit” moment as I came to terms with the fact I was putting my life in someone’s hands who I had literally just met (bit late for that realisation!). But it quickly passed as I looked out at the breathtaking views unfolding around me. With mountains and lakes passing by way below us, we settled into our flight and conversation flowed…
Turns out Clem is French - and not only that, but is originally from Annecy – a town I visited several times over the summer as it’s only a couple of hours drive from Morzine. Annecy, I can only describe as the land of the Ice Cream Shops, there's three on every corner, which is where Clem learnt to paraglide - and she learned to ski in non other than Avoriaz. Of course. Small World.
With feet back on solid ground I was offered the GoPro footage of our flight, and though the photos were great, and the video contained faces I didn’t even know were possible during our high g-force spiral dive, I had to decline. This was a spontaneous memory made, and a memory to be kept… I did take one sneaky one before take off though!
With no time to think about what was happening I was paired up with Clem, the only female paragliding instructor in the team (rad) and clipped into my harness. All strapped in and in position, I was instructed to run over the edge and down the mountain. Fighting against all my natural instincts I ran, or at least tried to, and suddenly we were running on air, as the wind lifted us up and we started to fly.
Having not been at all apprehensive on ground, I had a momentary “holy shit” moment as I came to terms with the fact I was putting my life in someone’s hands who I had literally just met (bit late for that realisation!). But it quickly passed as I looked out at the breathtaking views unfolding around me. With mountains and lakes passing by way below us, we settled into our flight and conversation flowed…
Turns out Clem is French - and not only that, but is originally from Annecy – a town I visited several times over the summer as it’s only a couple of hours drive from Morzine. Annecy, I can only describe as the land of the Ice Cream Shops, there's three on every corner, which is where Clem learnt to paraglide - and she learned to ski in non other than Avoriaz. Of course. Small World.
With feet back on solid ground I was offered the GoPro footage of our flight, and though the photos were great, and the video contained faces I didn’t even know were possible during our high g-force spiral dive, I had to decline. This was a spontaneous memory made, and a memory to be kept… I did take one sneaky one before take off though!