Can "Risky Sports" make us Better People? 

I took up paramotoring after watching Tucker and guys like you online, and now it seems I've lost my fear of a lot of other things and gained confidence in general. This is a very strange and unexpected result. If you want to gain confidence in life, take up a risky sport.

Judson this is 100% accurate for my feeling when in the air. It's not just the cliché "all my worries drop away" that you hear with normal hobbies, it's that and the fact that during my flight I have more focus and clear thinking than any other activity I do because of the respect I know I need to have for every action I take. It's a presence of mind that comes from the respect of the danger, and the understanding that every action I do needs to be correct, sane, controlled, and calculated. I actually find that cerebral in-the-moment challenge more peaceful than any mindless relaxation.

Driving a car trough a beautiful landscape is like watching a movie, riding a motorcycle through this landscape is like being in the movie. And flying a paraglider is like being the movie. 😅 Nice video. Thanks for sharing

Yo this is my favorite video of yours! Absolutely killed this one :)

More of this!!! Bike + glider = Perfection

Totally right. It's the calmness.

Dude, what a movie! Well said, and well put together. One of the best short films I’ve seen in a long while ❤️

Bro! Your videos are always great but this message personally resonated with me. This one was particularly cool because I actually flew that same location, in those same conditions, on that same glider, and with that same dude (Chet) the week you were there! We must have only missed each other! You capture in video and narrative so beautifully what all of us in the community know well: it's all about the calm. Well done!

Well done! Now my favorite video in 2024!

I’m just going to comment again to boost the algorithm, this video needs to blow up

What a film! the message, editing and narration makes you really think about choices and perspectives. Precisely thought out.

I would add that high-risk or extreme sports allow you to be present, to live in the moment. When you practice them, there are no clients, no meetings, no reports to submit, no boss. You are focused on your activity. You are in the present. It allows you to put things into perspective, to understand that you are an insignificant being compared to the natural elements. I have been paragliding for over 20 years, and it is this that humbles me every time and drives me again and again into it.

What a great story! I love seeing you articulate your perspective so well and into videos that we all get to enjoy. Keep the good vibes alive!

Going into my second year of flying, so so much of this rings true for me too. You were somehow able to perfectly articulate a lot of thoughts and feelings I've been having since I began flying but have struggled to explain to friends and family. Thanks for yet anither epic and meaningful video Judson!

We need more motorcycle-related content for sure. I enjoyed the visuals, also the narrative is perfect.Nicely done mate!

Great video man!! Absolutely loved it!! You made a video of the life I want to live! That soaring on the dunes with the moustache was awesome!! Thank you for taking the time making this!!

your video production is off the charts. in the beginning you called this "a movie by Judson Graham" and it truly felt like a movie. not a you tube vid. great work. as for the risky behaviors I started riding bikes in 2006 as a random thing. it was literally one day I said "I want a motorcycle" I took lessons and bought a used bike not knowing that 6 years later I would have a tragedy in my life and it ended up being motorcycles that got me through it. now I ride as my primary form of transportation, I teach the motorcycle class I took all those years ago, and have put 189,000 miles on my V-Strom. this risky behavior is my therapy, and my way of life.

Absolutely incredible video Judson! You articulated everything so well, I understand exactly what you're trying to say even though I've never paraglided or ridden a motorcycle for that matter. Your videos inspire me a lot. Keep it up!

Paramotors are the motorcycles of the skies

Absolutely 100% Agree with you and dont listen to anyone who wants to say what is best for you or not! Greetings

Judson, you are a brilliant young man. I love the way you are living your life at such a young age. I wish I had the smarts to do that when I was younger. Keep up the great work. You should be proud of yourself.

Another one of your great videos, being a motorcyclist and a paraglider. (Well mostly PPG) I can relate to pretty much everything you said in this video! Well done!

Nice one Pal. Love the chill aspect of what you do. Glad you're enjoying the vaca before the next round of thrill seeking students.

I can not count the times i said, "nailed it" during this video. Jeebus, Judson, you absolutely nailed it.

GREAT VIDEO! Riding the Harley = Zen. Whitewater paddleboarding = Zen. Rock climbing = Zen. Riding the Harley to either = Perfect day. Beers after.

Such a good video. Doing an activity that requires loads of attention at first but then it becoming second nature is the only time I don’t hear the annoying ADHD noises in my head and that’s why I fly and ride motocross. Calmness.

I know nothing about flying but I’ve been riding dual sports since I was 16 and I’m 50 now. I can hardly express how much enjoyment I’ve had on two wheels and just the amazing places I’ve been and seen. I think you should consider going on one of Dennis’ organized rides. We’re going to Idaho next month and I have that extra 250 I could bring if you want to do some rougher trails.

Awesome video! 🥰 that flying past sounds so familiar

Great work, 100% on point. Made me stop and think (and agree) and appreciate the art in the flying and he movie making.

that dune session looked like epic fun, you guys are shredding on the moustache

Awesome video. Great message (especially for getting in the right mindset for someone learning PPG) and great video production too.

Love ya, Judson. Keep havin' fun, pal.

Some of the best storytelling I’ve seen, well done. Love how you found a way to make the journey the destination. I’ve recently started biking (pedal bike 😂) to places such as work, the gym, dinner, pick up groceries because it makes the journey way more epic than just driving everywhere

Oh man..."THE CALMNESS".....Those are the moments I love most when flying

Watching this was awesome 👍

So very insightful! I too ride and when I was flying fixed wing i felt it too. When you're in the moment there is no room in your mind for anything except what you are doing right then. It is a calming feeling to let everything else slip away and just focus..

Another bad ass video Judson. The establishing shot of Mt. Hood was gorgeous. Also looks like the mustache’s shadow made a heart in the sand at 8:55. Cheers !

Great message! Great video it's an honor to know you!

crashed my bike in 2020, broke a lot of bones and had to learn to walk again, i was an idiot on my bike but that crash changed my life forever, I am a much better person these days in every aspect of my life. and now I fly as well. being a biker changed me, but that crash. that changed me again.

Thank you. I needed this.

Love this!!! You nailed it!

Brilliant. Could not have said it any better. I’m a rider. Now need to learn how to fly ❤

Expertly created, reminds me of the Californian rail ebike video, should have 500K views, I promise not to steal your narration 😂

Very entertaining. Good production values, and thoughts.

Well piddle! Missed Judson at my favorite playground!

It's the feeling of flow. Your mind is in a different state when riding the forces of nature on a moustache ;D

It is all about the calmness. Nice video

My Grandmother use to say, " you can break your finger in the buttermilk"

Nice video Judson 👍👍👍

Best video yet very relatable 👍

Great video mate!

As I sit in that very Campsite waiting to fly tomorrow ;))

Road trips to Cape Kiwanda, Lake Chelan and all the other places we flew hang gliders in the '70's are some of the best memories I have. Why did we take the risk? The sheer joy of flying!

Relatable. Great video.

I've had motorbikes since I was 16, mostly Japanese crotch rockets, I also do kitesurfing and snowboarding and since learning about parakiting I'm know doing my initial training, for reference I'm 57. Great film.

Very powerful message in this. Very nice work putting it into words 👊🏻

Right on. You get us... because you get you.

So good to see a video finally. Fckin love the story telling skills you have

best video yet Judson. ty brother x

I love Kiwanda! ❤ That's a lovely site!

when people ask why I engage in higher risk sports, my answer is always. How do you know you're alive because you think you might die.

You did it again, amigo! Bravo!

You are on a topic I might have some relevant input. As you know, I fly. Mostly unpowered paragliders, and hangliders. For many years, I’ve been a total fanatic riding my Honda XR650L, modifying it to carry my split snowboard. I still have video somewhere of showing up at Big Bear in the parking lot to dozens of riders going nuts about how cool it is to drive a motorcycle to go snowboard. Learned it from the late David McCoy, founder of Mammoth, who used to strap his skis to his Harley and ride on iced up roads to ski the Mammoth area. One day a couple of years ago, although I pride myself on being an excellent bike driver, and defensive, out came the classic old story: Dammit! That asshole pulled out right in front of me and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. It happened so fast. Fortunately, unless I’m driving down the street to the store, I always armor up, tall boots, knees, full leather padded jacket. Didn’t get a scratch doing over 65. Yes that affected me and I haven’t ridden bikes since. I immediately thought: That asshole could have injured me and taken out my PARAGLIDING! Without question, paragliding is by far safer than motorcycles and driving anything for that matter, AND, the most important factor: nobody is going to cut you off or pull out in front of you, run through red lights on a paraglider. There could be a slight chance of a mid air collision, but you have control of that risk. Years ago, A 70 year old man loaned me his 2 stroke 250. I asked him, what’s your theory on being 70 and still riding dirt bikes? “Well, I don’t do traffic with cars. I only ride dirt bikes on trails”. BINGO! It’s the cars in traffic that will get you. There is a very important factor to consider: The risk/reward ratio. Do we BASE jump? Maybe some of us have tried it. Not me! All paraglider pilots understand exactly why BASE jumping is ridiculously risky. Russian roulette with a bullet in a 100 round gun. The motorcycles are safer than BASE jumping. I was roller skating with my paraglider instructor for a while until I deemed it as too dangerous. It’s inevitable that someone is going to go flying out of control and run into you, and that happened, and I’m still nursing my wrist from a fall when a kid came flying from out of nowhere. I saw a total pro get taken out that way. Done with it! Once again, that stupid risk only threatens my paragliding. I totally understand the love for bikes. I adore the brotherhood of being a biker, but for me, that accident did it. I retired the bike. I had 2 of them. I would still ride dirt bikes, but no more traffic for me. Kinda sad😢 actually, but now my dad doesn’t worry like your parents do about the motorcycles. Not missing anything at all! I realized how much more I love paragliding than motorcycles. Motorcycles? Been there, done that. One thing you definitely notice is how both are finely piloted using weight shift. If you ARE going to keep riding, get a Honda XR650L, and get an Al Baker XR’s only header and pipe. It sounds like a Harley! It’s so bad ass!

Nice my dude. Your out in my stomping grounds, Flying kiwanda. My buddy said he saw Trevor in PC couple days ago. I scooped up a Yamaha Tenere 700 last year and man does Oregon deliver in Flying and Adventure bike riding. If your local for a little while we could do some riding. Mt Hood is EPIC for riding

So good!

looked like a perfect day

Wicked video! so well made! nice on brother

Bro, I so wish I was there flying with you and Chet! Dang!

I wish it would let me hit the like button two times!!

A Philosopher!

Well done

Nice video and nice content

Thank you, hat tipping to you

If you are such a motorcycle enthusiast you need to come to Canada and go down Westside Road in Kelowna British Columbia it's a fairly famous Road for motorcycle enthusiasts

You figured it out ;) !

Hey Judson, think I saw the St Johns bridge in that intro.. anyway, if you kicking around the area.. take the time to take that 790 out to badger lake on the se side of mt hood.. and if you want a riding partner, hmu..

Awesome video!

Something set my INTJ detector off..

I love Kiwanda. That’s the first spot I ever flew without my motor.

Riding and flying go hand in hand.

I’ve been sick for 4 day with E coli from sewage and I’m checking the wind forecast to see if I can kite this weekend.

what a exercise of being in the present

masterpiece

Preach truth 💛

Learning now to paramotor jus for me

Amen 🙏

❤❤❤from Nepal

I thought it was illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon? Now that's being dangerous!

Judson talking about a ktm? I must be dreaming

Dune Gooning ❤

😍🤩

Proof you don't need age to have gained wisdom!

you don't have to remove the key from the cap when filling

bravoo

What! Are you pumping your own gas in Oregon!?

It’s giving Special K

i just sold my 890 R today

… and tell no one.

Beautiful video. It made me reflect, the main reason I want to be good at everything I do is to be able to live in the moment, without fear or nervousness, but just pure enjoyment. Keep up being the best version of yourself❤️