What a phenomenal day that was! I remember Tucker providing instructions calmly, Jeff's shouts of joy, a perfect landing, Peter gathering up wing, Dan recording, and tears from me. You are amazing.
I remember last summer at Backcountryppg getting off the ground and sitting back in the seat, then the thought of you better enjoy this moment of peace while at full throttle and keeping it stright because you still need to land this thing.
I’m 41 and started paragliding a little over 3 years ago. I wish I had the opportunity to learn when I was younger, it’s crazy to think about what my paragliding career would be like now had I started when I was 16. However, the gear back then was a little sketchy, so in some ways it’s better to have waited, but even if I was able to start 10 years ago, I had literally wanted to hang glide or paraglide since I was like 6 years old and saw a couple hang gliding pilots landing, I knew at some point I would be a soaring pilot. Still plan to give paramotor’s a shot, but in no way do I think it would take the place of thermal soaring, but it would be great to get a flight after work during the week, or an early flight on the weekends when I can’t spend the whole day going to a launch site and get retrieved, etc.
Hey Judson, I remember you lurking in the background of a few of Tuckers videos, then suddenly you were flying.. next thing I know you are pranking Jeff with a SAT over the field! I’m amazed at your rapid progress but the content you put out is some of the best out there now. You are half bird like Tucker and I think the PPG world is lucky to have you.. keep it coming , can’t wait to see the Nepal stuff.
I remember watching this very video of your first flight way back then... and it was at that point, I got serious about this. A year later, I was flying. I credit you and Tucker for fanning the flame. Also - that launch was solid - yeah, you let off the throttle for a sec, but other than that, I haven't seen much better first launches ever. I just can't believe that was almost 6 years ago...??? What?!
This is great. I can remember when you started shooting pics of the local crew and Tucker shouting out your Instagram. I always assumed Tucker taught but when Jeff passed I learned from your tribute video that he actually was the one that trained you. Great vid as always.
I remember watching that video and even before when you were hanging out at the field. So I have been watching you even before you started your RU-vid channel😊🥰
My first flight was July 8, 2009. I remember like it was yesterday and absolutely can not imagine my life without ppg. Simple but life changing aerial vehicles :)
Love your cat, and you bought him/her a scratching post. I always thought 'he's a nice guy', but you're obviously a really nice guy! 😂. Edit. I posted this before watching further on, I didn't realize you did paragliding afterwards! Wow, I did 20 years of free flight first, it made the whole thing much easier. Circuit, landing approach etc. In the UK, weather bad for months still don't have many power hours and don't have that much confidence when flying it. 600+ hours free flight all over the World. Thermalling to 8,000+ feet but power. 😮 Really enjoy your vids mate.
Guided tours? That would be awesome. I don't fly yet but I hope to get into it. If I do I'd definitely want to go flying around Utah. I've never been there but would love to someday. It would be 100x cooler in the sky. If you had to guess how many flights do have now?
I’ve been curious ever since finding out you were 16 when you learned. Did Jeff or Tucker have your parents sign a waiver or were they there at the field?
Backcountry PPG reminds me of a Democrat, living in his own little world, misinterpreting his abilities because he is surrounded by those who do exactly the same.
