Living the DREAM

I just came back from work… but today it’s very special. That was my last day working as instructor in Indoor Skydive Bottrop. Two years after my first time coaching by Mox&Håvard and more than one year working “full time” in chimney city. When I look what pushed me in life until I got this job, Im pretty amazed that I could spent so much time, in such place, playing in a small box of concrete and glass. But the most amazing in that, is all the things that bring into my life. So that actually the purpose of this post, I really want to thanks the people involved in what happened to me this last months.

January 2010, first time in Bottrop, and already a little bit Skywalkers.

First of all Boris Nebe who offered me this life changing opportunity. If you know him and the story of the tunnel, you know how much this very inspiring person deserve the title of “best boss ever”. Then Steffi Liller who is doing an amazing job in the shade. Without her, the success of this tunnel would not be the same. And of course all the instructors and the office staff who had to deal with my “special” character.
Next, all the students who trust me to coach them, and with I had such a good time and rich moments. I don’t know so much job where you can build friendship with your “costummers”. I know they will recognize themself !!!
I also really want to thanks all the great flyers and friends who could see my potential and trust me in projects that I would never imagine to be able to do few months ago. Martin Kristensen, Fred Fugen&Vince Reffet, Raph&Juju from 4speed, Petter Jonsson…
And to conclude, two very very special thanks. Of course you can easy guess the first one: Håvard&Kristian who were and still are the best support ever. Before I met them I would never let someone influence that deep my life, and it looks like it was a good choice.
And also my “master Miyagi” Filip Crjnakovic for the countless hours of coaching and discussion about flying, I could never reach my current flying and coaching skills without this incredible friend to show me the way.

December 2010, painting the briefing room with Mox, begging Boris everyday for a job

Now it’s time to begin a new life style, to play in the sky, go back running in the mountain and jump some big cliffs, travel a lot and share with my friends all the good things life can offer us. And of course I’m more than ever insanely motivate to coach as much as I can to spread the low speed pedagogie and the dynamic flying… and maybe, one day, lead someone in his progression until he can feel the “waves”….. Yes believe me, it’s no because I watched too much Point Break, they are “waves” in a wind tunnel.

Bodyflight Challenge has began

The Bodyflight challenge is about to begin while Im writting this post. This year lot of ultra skilled teams take part and the general level is really high. Lot of team can potentialy win, and I actually feel bad for the judges, they will have a very hard time to make fair decision regarding the free round routines. But who ever will win it’s really nice to see the sport growing up that big, that fast. The future of freefly will be more and more exciting.
I can’t wait to see what Håvard and “mad dog” Mattacola will perform.
Also Alex Verner and Josh D’Annunzio, a young team from Paraclete XP. They already have a big experience in competition and can fly insane “american tricks”, I saw them train last January, pretty amazing.
I also had the chance to see what Jean Phi Ricordeau and Greg Va Den Eynden prepared for the challenge, awesome team work with few really cool moves.
And of course Martin Kristensen and Filip Crnjakovic my favorite team (really subjective choice) who will fly a really sharp and powerful routine in a perfect “Bottrop” style.
If you want a small preview of what’s going on right now in Bedford, Martin posted the routine they will fly for the compet.

Soul Flyers at Bottrop

Fred&Vince finally decide to organize a camp in Bottrop. Was so nice to hang out and work with them… and of course we flew a little bit, so I couldn’t not resist to share with you 2min of flying with them and Petter Jonsson. Basic lines but pretty fast. Enjoy !!!

VFF 2012

Håvard&Alex Awesome trip

Our winter break video included the 4way routine we flew in Paraclete with Raph&Juju from 4speed.

If you want to see more flying in Montreal: click here

“Urban side” an inspiring must see.

I can’t resist introducing Jean Baptiste Chandelier and his work to you. He’s one of the few incredible person I met during my previous paragliding life. Even with a great potential in competition, he quite the world cup tour to express himself in the sky in his own way….. reminding me of someone else !!! He’s still flying as much as possible and shares his passion in various ways: instruction, as well as canopy designer: he actually designed the paragliding canopy you will see in the following video, edited by himself. “Urban side” an inspiring must see!

Mega Week

A great combo tunnel/skydive, the best way to improve your flying skills.
more info: facebook or contact Petter at swebase031@gmail.com

Hello 2012

It’s few hours, minutes, or seconds from 2012 depend where you are in the world !!! So I take this special opportunnity to open our new blog with some fresh update for the website (still in construction).

Right now Havard and myself are in Ubatuba, Brazil. Surf, tourism, skydive and chill chill chill with our awesome Brazilian friends !!!

I wish you all the best for 2012, and don’t forget to LIVING THE DREAM !!!

AA