X-Alps Paragliding Race

Thanks to the generous donations from Queenstown's world class paragliding schools, we are able to offer the following incentives for those who donate up to and beyond the value of the offer.

-One day XC coaching course (Paraventures)

-SIV training (Freefly Paragliding)

-1 weeks backpacker accommodation (Flying Kiwi Backpackers)

-Intro paragliding days (Infinity Paragliding and Extreme Air).

The X-Alps is the highest profile paragliding race in the world and is billed as one of the "worlds toughest adventure races. The rules are simple, athletes must race across the alps by foot or paraglider, a straight line distance over 1000km.

Nick is funding this race out of his own pocket and will be supporting Louis for the month leading up to the race. With a bare bones approach we estimate the costs to be somewhere between $12,000 to 20,000. We don't really like asking for money but a few people have mentioned they would like to donate and this is an easy way for them to do this.

Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand and the perfect place to learn or progress your paragliding skills. When you donate mention in the comments which offer you would like to take up.

Offer 1- Paraventures- One on one XC coaching-worth $275 NZD http://www.paraventures.co.nz/courses-and-holidays/

As New Zealand's only cross country specialists, Paraventures prides itself in delivering the best possible products, with the best possible service. Based in the mountains surrounding Queenstown, our passion for adventure sets us aside from most. Paraventures offer professional guiding, coaching and instruction for qualified paraglider pilots who want to improve their flying. Whether you would like to enter your first competition, improve cross country skills, do a vol-biv perhaps, or improve your piloting skills in general, Paraventures will be able to accommodate your training needs pilot of all levels.

Offer 2- Infinity Paragliding- Intro day (one day)- worth $250 NZD http://www.infinityparagliding.co.nz/introday.html

Infinity Paragliding provides a range of courses from the introduction to paragliding day to full pilot licence courses and a series of advanced pilot programs. Infinity Paragliding pride themselves on the quality and depth of our training programes, offering instruction to a high safety standard with our teams personal approach. They love passing on the passion, knowledge and skills built up over the last 22 years to all paraglider pilots.

The intro day is perfect for someone wanting to start paragliding but not sure if it's for them. You will cover the following during the day

-Learn about your equipment and how to prepare it for flight.

-Practice inflating and running with the glider above you to ensure you can launch your glider safely.

-Learn your 5 point pre-flight check.

-Take your first weightless steps down our training slope, learning how to launch, control your glider, and land.

-Then achieve your first 50m high flights on the `Training hill`, learning how to control your glider in flight and perfecting your take-offs and landings.

You will be carefully guided through every stage with our experienced instructors, and during all your flights you will be controlled via radio

Note this offer is only available for the months of November/December and is limited to one per person maximum. There are 3 in total allocated on a first come first served basis.

Offer 3- Freefly Paragliding- 1 SIV heli assisted run $200 NZD http://www.freeflyparagliding.com/

The SIV courses are run by Craig Taylor, New Zealands' most experienced Acro and SIV instructor. Craig offers an extensive training programme where you will learn the fundamentals of siv and glider dynamics. His aim is for you to complete the course not just being able to perform the manoeuvres but to have full knowledge and understanding of the manoeuvres and your glider in any state of flight.

-transport to launch via helicopter

-1 flight

-extensive briefing with video instruction

-evening debrief with video analysis

-radio instruction throughout flight

-radio and headset for inflight instructions

-rescue boat retrievals

-footage of flight

-SIV sign off for PG 3 if applicable

This offer is limited to one per person maximum. There are 3 in total allocated on a first come first served basis.

Offer 4- Extreme Air paragliding- Intro Day course worth $250 NZD http://extremeair.co.nz/paragliding-school/day-course/

Learn how to fly in Queenstown with one of New Zealand’s most experienced female instructors and her experienced team. Extreme Air provide lessons & courses in Queenstown, from intro day courses right through to full pilot licence courses and more. Extreme Air pride themsleves on the quality of instruction high safety standards. They are passionate about flying and passing on their knowledge and skills. Extreme Air Paragliding offer a full range of courses from beginner to advanced, introductory days, PG1 & PG2 (full pilot rating course).

What to expect: In the morning you will learn about your paragliding equipment, how to clip in to the glider and to inflating and run with the glider. This is called ground training. You will ground train on gentle slopes close to the ground in the morning and you will start to get weightless steps in as your technique get better. In the afternoon you can look forward to solo flights from our training hill. This is where you will start to fly and feel what it is like to be a bird. It’s one of the most amazing feelings.

This offer is only available through the months of November and December.

Offer 5- Flying Kiwi Backpackers- 1 week Backpackers Dorm accommodation $275 http://www.flying-kiwi-backpackers.co.nz/

Established in 2013 Flying Kiwi Backpackers is owned and operated by a true Flying Kiwi (often found harnessed under a Paraglider in the skies around the district), with a love for the outdoors, adventure and travel; if I’m not attending to the running of Flying Kiwi Backpackers or out Paragliding you could also find me up a nearby ski field or out on my mountain bike.

Having travelled extensively myself over the past few years I feel I can contribute to your travel within Wanaka and New Zealand, by providing a laid back kiwi experience, a friendly welcome, traveller friendly affordable accommodation, with simple surroundings that provide everything you could need to get what you want out of your time within Wanaka, from a relaxed few days on one of our couches chatting with other travellers to an adventure packed week of hiking, flying and boating.

Flying Kiwi Backpackers is a Hostel established by a Flying Kiwi who has experienced life as a backpacker. We are a backpackers for backpacker’s and can’t wait to hear your travel experiences and stories.....

All offers are provided on a first come first served basis and are limited in number and we will confirm within three business days of your donation. 100% of the funds will go towards making sure Nick has the best shot at doing well in the X-Alps.

If you have something of value to offer or any questions feel free to contact us at kiwiparagliding@gmail.com