Eagles at Woodrat

By: Jeff Shapiro - Additional photos: Marty DeVietti

By KAVU

June 14^th, 2022

When people think of "learning to paraglide", they usually think of starting from scratch... launching and landing on their own wing and earning a certification to fly solo.

Although that's true.... that IS learning to paraglide.... the best part of flying (any aircraft) is that the learning NEVER stops! It's so fun to continually try to gain new skills, new knowledge through experience, and to improve as a pilot. In our case, trying to stay aloft and fly distance using only the power of the sun and wind can be a life-long clinic.

That's why I think it's so cool that schools like Eagle Paragliding offer courses for more advanced flyers to further their skills and understanding in the sky. Last week, I was honored when the Eagle crew asked if I'd be able to come (to one of my favorite flying sites on the west coast) and help teach a cross country clinic to a group of advancing pilots. I knew it would be a great group of people to fly with, and being that I always learn (I swear) as much from my students and fellow instructors as anyone does from me, with huge gratitude and stoke, "YES" was clearly my answer!

Woodrat mountain is a flying site overlooking Ruch, Oregon situated in the Applegate valley. It's a well known site for a reason. Super consistent flying conditions, great people and a passionate flying community makes it a super good destination for any pilot who enjoys XC flying.

The locals love seeing pilots overhead but, many have crops, want us to respect their privacy and hope we land safely in the area's designated landing zones. Getting with a local and learning the area's do's and don't(s) is a useful and respectful thing to do.

So, after our briefing to our group, there was only one thing left to do.... Head up the Hill!

Our first clinic day was about as spectacular as Woodrat gets in many ways. We were able to do some amazing cloud flying with cumulus working well, solid lift, and fairly light winds.....

..... perfect for teaching skills like "team flying" and how to cover distance efficiently.

The weather is always "the dictator" during any paragliding mission. We can try to predict, hope and plan the best we can but mother nature always has the final say on what we get for a flying day. The sky can be so dynamic this time of year and although the clinic in Woodrat was no exception, it offered up the opportunity to talk and teach, watch and learn about weather and conditions in ways that improved our understanding as pilots. Rain, sun.... high pressure and low pressure.... strong lift and light lift.... we had it all!

But on each day's flight, one thing was always true...... we were laughing out loud while making turns together, climbing higher into the skies above mountains and wine country while having a blast learning.

Paragliding's good like that. It offers a lifetime of new experiences with a community of rad humans. Every time I get to go flying, I feel lucky. Our clinic was, without exception, full of KAVU days and smiles-for-miles!

Klear Above, Visibility Unlimited!

What goes up, must come down.... and the Landing Zones each day were full of smiling pilots, high-fives, and stories about epic climbs and glides. The collective stoke at the end of each flight fueled the fire for the next day's flight and fanned the flames for everyone's desire to learn and improve. I'm always so impressed by each of the pilots I get to work with. Their energy feeds my own and is yet another thing to be grateful for. Safe flying, psyched friends, making good memories.... what more could you every want??

Oh.... and happy dogs waiting on the ground! .... Always a bonus.

If you're interested in learning to fly, check into your local area's instruction and research the best ways to learn. There's so much to experience out there and if it allows you to grow as a person, have way too much fun and adventure with rad people, DO IT! You won't be sorry.