about

Jack's passion for flying has taken him from a small hill in the Pennines of England to top of the ACRO scene. Competitions all over the world followed. He now runs "Rise Paragliding" together with Theo de Blic and passes on his knowledge in ACRO and SIV courses. He also runs a Youtube channel.

https://www.riseparagliding.com/siv/

https://www.youtube.com

interview

Do you remember your first flight? How was it?

Accidental! That is the best word I could use to describe my first flight. I was ground-handling my father’s Advance Sigma 4, aged 11. I had already been ground-handling 3 or 4 years or so by this point and the landing I was playing in had a slight slope to it. A thermal passed, picking me up and I was in the air! Due to the sloped gradient, I hovered above the ground for 30 seconds or so. I remember my father shouting to me, trying to guide me but by this point I was already prepared for my first flights. A few minutes later, when the fear left, we were sat on the grass laughing. It was the best feeling, I was already hooked by the sport long before, but you never forget your first solo flight.

What moments make flying worthwhile?

I live for flying with friends. Those unexpected flights, hike & flys, sunset acro sessions or simple soaring flights. Flying with friends is what sends me to bed at night with a smile on my face.

Your three top flying areas?

Organya, Spain; El Hierro, Canaries; St André, France. Each location for different reasons, but I feel this is a good mix of all styles of flying. They are all pretty strong places to fly, but that is all part of the fun for me.

What are you doing on a day that is not flyable?

Besides paragliding, I like to skydive, paramotor (if that counts as different), road bike and ride motorbikes. When the weather is bad, you will usually find me indoors binge-watching Netflix or playing video games. If I am honest, I am a bit of a nerd and I have a busy life, so some anti-social time indoors isn’t the end of the world. 

Most important paragliding successes?

Hard to say for me, I haven’t had any big competition wins or striking projects, but flying has always been just for me and no one else. I have never strived to impress people and rather please myself. Growing up I was always average in school, in academia and sports, not the worst but rarely the best, so it was really important to me to find something I was good at. I think after placing 6th in a World Cup, taking 2nd at Red Bull Acro Cross and being ranked 10th in the world for acro, I feel I have pleased my childhood self and can consider myself ‘good’ at acro. 
I also have a PIBI tandem and it is the best tandem I have ever flown. Every time I fly it, its agility, performance and lightness impress me. I have used it in a bunch of different scenarios, and I find myself wanting to fly it more and more.

Why do you fly for ADVANCE?

Quality and professionalism. I have been fortunate to be supported by a few different brands in the paragliding industry but what draws me to ADVANCE is the quality of their products and their professionalism. Every time a product is released, you know that not only is it going to be the best product they could have made, but also it will be of extremely high quality. When you buy a product, you know you are investing in a piece of equipment that will last for years to come. 
As both an athlete and a customer, I instantly notice their professionalism in everything they do. They always put customers first and do their job to the very best of their abilities. I feel truly humbled to be a part of the team of individuals that make ADVANCE the great company it is. 

What is your favourite food?

I love to cook, so you will often find me cooking a variety of hot spicy food which could be anything from Indian to Thai to Japanese. 

What is your favourite quote in life?

"Aim for the moon. If you miss, you will land among the stars". It is quite a cliched / cringey quote, but I have always believed in having huge goals and even if you fail to achieve them, you will still be in a good position.