Jeff Shapiro: "After flying hang gliders for a lot of years, I'm now hooked and really psyched on getting more experience and skill in my paraglider. One thing I've learned over the years is, to learn from the very best is a priceless opportunity. Lucky for me, my Homie, Nick Greece, happens to be one of the very best and most experienced Paraglider pilots in the world! When I asked if he'd go to the Mexican Paragliding mecca of Valle de Bravo with me so I could chase him around and learn a few things, he smiled and in his typical "of course" attitude said, "of course"! With that, it began!"
So, in the middle of February, Nick and his girl, the amazing Caroline Schou, and our friends - professional athletes and prolific fun-havers, Cedar Wright, Matt Segal and Hadley Hammer all met in Mexico City to start the journey toward the beautiful lake town of Valle de Bravo. The smells, sounds, colors and smiling people had us feeling that we were indeed in the "right place".
Valle de Bravo is one of the "magic places" in the world. The culture, town, food, people and (for us), the flying are all ingredients for one of the best, most relaxing and fun packed trips I could imagine. As Cedar pointed out from breakfast to dinner every day we were there, Taco Alley is WORLD CLASS!! 3 tacos and a Churro to top it off is just about perfect, I'd say;-)
Each day, we'd drink coffee, grab our wings and head to the square where an inexpensive taxi would shuttle us up to launch. The flying was amazing but, it was these clowns that made my entire trip! Nothing better than hanging with good people while chasing a passion we all share. Cedar, Matt and Nick pretty much kept Hadley, Caroline and I laughing out loud the whole trip.
Of course, after flying, we'd have to get a finger work out on the hang board. It's the result from being obsessed climbers;-)
Nick told me before the trip that we were a little late in the season and to bring my "big boy pants". I'd remembered from racing a hang glider in Valle during this time of the year in the past that the lift was strong and there was a bit of wind to deal with. True to form, the conditions were indeed more suited to hang gliders with winds aloft being 18-25mph and strong (sometimes turbulent) lift. But, for me.....it was exactly what I needed and wanted. My goal was to learn as much as possible and learnt, I got. Each day presented slightly different conditions and each flight was unique and amazing! We were psyched indeed!!
On our second day, after digging out on one of many legs of a wandering XC flight, I hooked up with Nick over the mountains as we hooked into a "heater"! Round and round, we laughed our way to base and took a fun, long glide back to the lake that is a central feature of Valle. Landing lakeside, next to tacos and a cold beer was the perfect end to a really cool day of flying with the Homies.
One of the very Best parts of flying is the community of pilots from around the world. Each of us has a passion for life that's easily felt and when Nick introduced us to Mexican ace, Manuel Quintanilla, he was no exception. After flying, we were welcomed to his families home (one of the most beautiful and unique homes I've ever seen) to share food and stories. Perfect end to a perfect day
Each day brought opportunities to laugh and to experience what I'd definitely define as a full value KAVU day!!
During a final, sunset glass off flight, I climbed in the last thermal of the trip and slowly worked my way back toward the lake. Looking around at the town and mountains from a bird's eye view as the sun dipped below the horizon, had me already looking forward to the next time I'll get to visit and fly in this amazing place! Great people, good flying and lots of growth.......that's KAVU!
© 2026 KAVU
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