The Halkomelem name for the peak, Theeth-uhl-kay, means "the source" or "the place from which the waters spring." For the Sto:lo, the peak is the "mother mountain" or old woman overlooking her children dwelling in the valley. Lady Peak, to the south is the old woman's dog. Cheam, the official name of the peak, is the Halkomelem word for "wild strawberries."
06 May 2013
The : Source
The Halkomelem name for the peak, Theeth-uhl-kay, means "the source" or "the place from which the waters spring." For the Sto:lo, the peak is the "mother mountain" or old woman overlooking her children dwelling in the valley. Lady Peak, to the south is the old woman's dog. Cheam, the official name of the peak, is the Halkomelem word for "wild strawberries."
14 April 2013
07 April 2013
Sea Gull
This is a visual story about a boy's imagination becoming a man's reality.
When I was a boy, I often lay in the sand and watched sea gulls soaring invisible waves of air flowing over the houses, walls, and buildings along the beach. Many years later, quite by surprise, I found myself soaring those invisible waves, looking down at the sand that I used to lie in, and reflecting upon the bitter sweetness of time passing. All during this twenty kilometre out-and-return flight, along the coast of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil, with a paraglider.
When I was a boy, I often lay in the sand and watched sea gulls soaring invisible waves of air flowing over the houses, walls, and buildings along the beach. Many years later, quite by surprise, I found myself soaring those invisible waves, looking down at the sand that I used to lie in, and reflecting upon the bitter sweetness of time passing. All during this twenty kilometre out-and-return flight, along the coast of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brasil, with a paraglider.
04 April 2013
Vitória
The second stage of the Paragliding World Cup, will be in Baixo Guandu, Espírito Santo, Brazil, from 13-20 Apr.
As a relaxed training flight, my good friend Zenilson took me on a rare flight, launching form Morro do Moreno in Vitória, then surfing apartment buildings and hotels for twenty kilometres, flying at 120-180 m above the ocean, before landing on the beach, next to a coconut water kiosk, to hydrate after three hours of play.
The flight:
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| Launch: Serra do Moreno |
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| Ultrapenthouse view |
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| Ten kilometres from launch: Coqueiral de Itaparica |
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| Isso é Brasil |
13 March 2013
Cloud Forest
A moment during a 50 km cross country paragliding flight from Makapu'u Lighthouse on the island of Oahu in Hawai'i and along the cloud forest, Wao Akua, or realm of the Gods, in the Ko'olau range, which presented the opportunity to experience from the air the dense jungle, steep cliffs, and Pandoran-esque jungle sounds.
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| Wao Akua, Realm of the Gods |
12 February 2013
Butterfly Dreams : RAW
We spontaneously stretched our arms out, giggling like children. I began to tear and wondered why. Instead of feeling as a lonely particle lost in a vast and indifferent universe, I experienced being the universe, a tiny drop of it. As integral as rock. A feather on an immense wing. Deeply, I have always contained this knowledge, but somehow I had become forgetful. An old man wandering the streets at night, struggling to remember his address. I was sad to realize that I had forgotten, for so long, who I really am, and so grateful to remember once again. A comforting memory deep in the past, returning to the surface. All this, not as thought, but as experience, there, high over that immense vapour mountain.
07 February 2013
OUTERLOCAL The Deeper Side of Wild
http://outerlocal.com/paragliding/butterfly-dreams-outpost
This social media site for adventure athletes has amazing stories, images, and videos of "Sports that can kill you (and the people who love them)."
This social media site for adventure athletes has amazing stories, images, and videos of "Sports that can kill you (and the people who love them)."
17 January 2013
04 January 2013
X Monarca Open
13.01.12
I am already back in Canada. The last ten days have been a vivid overdose of screaming varios, wind noise, and Corona. Including the practice days, 800 km flown. And it is only mid January.
The final task began slow and tricky, but ended fast.
The podium finishers: 1. Josh Cohn 2. Brett Hazlett 3. Marko Hrgetic
www.monarcaopen.com
Thank-you, Miguel. Thank-you, Claudia. Thank-you Alas del Hombre. Thank-you, Mexico!
13.01.11
It was a full bore race from beginning to end. Full bar until the 65 km were done. Rolf Dale won the task, followed by Marko Hrgetic, and myself. I moved into first place overall, going into the final task tomorrow.
Tension.
13.01.10
The 80 km task began slowly as we struggled among the rocks towards Divisa, followed by a soft transition over the mesa. The large areas of forest and light lift across the mesa challenged many of us. At this point conditions began to strengthen to 3 m/s and cloud base rose to 3400 m. We gradually added speed until we were racing at full bar from cloud to cloud, only stopping to turn in the strongest areas. There was a turnpoint near the mountain where the Monarca butterflies congregate, followed by Elefante and La Casa. Our gliders hissed and surged through the rough convergence as we made the final sprint to goal. Josh crossed first, followed by myself, Ole Ronneberg, and Nick Greece. Only eight pilots made goal and there were perhaps three reserve tosses.
13.01.09
Risers vibrating, lines screaming, legs wobbling, kilometres passing, clouds towering, we flew the 60 km task in under two hours.
On a full speed glide from base at Aguia towards our last climb, Marko Hrgetic and I were level and flying wing tip to wing tip. We had a slight lead on Ronny Helgesen and Nick Greece and about three minutes on the rest of the lead gaggle. At this point we each made our critical route choice, Marko choosing the G-spot and I choosing Maguey. Marko's climb was ready when he arrived and mine took a while to develop. Timing is important.
Marko Hrgetic took the task win!
www.monarcaopen.com
13.01.08
We gave it all but nobody made goal. The leg with a 25 km/h headwind, lee side, shade, and uphill proved to be too much for even the best of us. The lead gaggle landed essentially at the same distance with Rolf Dale winning the task.
My friends and I had an emotive experience as we flew over an immense vapour mountain before the start of the competition.
13.01.07
Day one of the Monarca Open Pre World Cup: The 75 km task was won by Ronny Helgesen in about 2h 5min. The following few pilots were Marko Hrgetic, Brett Hazlett, Nick Greece, and Josh Cohn.
13.01.06
Today we had to register for the competition, which will begin tomorrow. But we still managed a 90 km practice flight before the registration deadline.
13.01.05
Valle de Bravo delivered another magical day of cotton candy cross country deliciousness for all present. We flew an interesting and challenging 100 km task which included most areas typically flown during a competition.
www.bretthazlett.tk
www.monarcaopen.com
13.01.04
We flew a 100 km practice task today, ending at the lake. This place is amazing!
13.01.03
I am already back in Canada. The last ten days have been a vivid overdose of screaming varios, wind noise, and Corona. Including the practice days, 800 km flown. And it is only mid January.
The final task began slow and tricky, but ended fast.
The podium finishers: 1. Josh Cohn 2. Brett Hazlett 3. Marko Hrgetic
www.monarcaopen.com
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| Awards ceremony in the town square |
13.01.11
It was a full bore race from beginning to end. Full bar until the 65 km were done. Rolf Dale won the task, followed by Marko Hrgetic, and myself. I moved into first place overall, going into the final task tomorrow.
Tension.
13.01.10
The 80 km task began slowly as we struggled among the rocks towards Divisa, followed by a soft transition over the mesa. The large areas of forest and light lift across the mesa challenged many of us. At this point conditions began to strengthen to 3 m/s and cloud base rose to 3400 m. We gradually added speed until we were racing at full bar from cloud to cloud, only stopping to turn in the strongest areas. There was a turnpoint near the mountain where the Monarca butterflies congregate, followed by Elefante and La Casa. Our gliders hissed and surged through the rough convergence as we made the final sprint to goal. Josh crossed first, followed by myself, Ole Ronneberg, and Nick Greece. Only eight pilots made goal and there were perhaps three reserve tosses.
 |
| Feeling small in the presence of immensity Photo credit: Ronny Helgesen |
13.01.09
Risers vibrating, lines screaming, legs wobbling, kilometres passing, clouds towering, we flew the 60 km task in under two hours.
On a full speed glide from base at Aguia towards our last climb, Marko Hrgetic and I were level and flying wing tip to wing tip. We had a slight lead on Ronny Helgesen and Nick Greece and about three minutes on the rest of the lead gaggle. At this point we each made our critical route choice, Marko choosing the G-spot and I choosing Maguey. Marko's climb was ready when he arrived and mine took a while to develop. Timing is important.
Marko Hrgetic took the task win!
www.monarcaopen.com
13.01.08
We gave it all but nobody made goal. The leg with a 25 km/h headwind, lee side, shade, and uphill proved to be too much for even the best of us. The lead gaggle landed essentially at the same distance with Rolf Dale winning the task.
My friends and I had an emotive experience as we flew over an immense vapour mountain before the start of the competition.
 |
| Photo credit: Ronny Helgesen |
13.01.07
Day one of the Monarca Open Pre World Cup: The 75 km task was won by Ronny Helgesen in about 2h 5min. The following few pilots were Marko Hrgetic, Brett Hazlett, Nick Greece, and Josh Cohn.
13.01.06
Today we had to register for the competition, which will begin tomorrow. But we still managed a 90 km practice flight before the registration deadline.
 |
| Arriving at the peninsula in Valle |
13.01.05
Valle de Bravo delivered another magical day of cotton candy cross country deliciousness for all present. We flew an interesting and challenging 100 km task which included most areas typically flown during a competition.
www.bretthazlett.tk
 |
| Flying over the cathedral in Valle de Bravo after reaching goal |
www.monarcaopen.com
13.01.04
We flew a 100 km practice task today, ending at the lake. This place is amazing!
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| High over Valle de Bravo |
13.01.03
At 4 am I arrive in Valle de Bravo. Five hours of sleep later I am up and ready to fly. The 50 km practice task reminded how good the flying in Valle de Bravo can be at this time of year.
17 December 2012
12 October 2012
The Island of Gods : RAW
Paragliding World Cup videographer, Philippe Broers, challenged me to add live commentary to my videos. This is an attempt to do something highly unnatural for me: to verbalize every thought while flying a competition paraglider (EnZo) at full speed, low along coastal cliffs, during a 90 km flight on the island of Bali, Indonesia. In this video I philosophize about life, describe strategies and tactics, and observe my surroundings.
If you appreciate my work and want to motivate me to create more, you could buy me a coffee, by watching the video on Vimeo and using the Tip Jar.
If you appreciate my work and want to motivate me to create more, you could buy me a coffee, by watching the video on Vimeo and using the Tip Jar.
29 September 2012
Bali
Things happen for the first time, they happen for the last time. To me it is all the same. It is now.
Flying my EnZo at full speed over a beach more secluded than I have ever imagined, midway through a 50 km ridge run. To the left is the island of Bali, Indonesia and to the right is the Indian Ocean.
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| Ungala Cliffs |
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