Paragliding Greece

XC & Thermalling Seminar with Antoine Girard
from 31.08. to 07.09.2025

have a look at the pictures from last years seminars:

Impressions XC seminar Antoine Girard & Olympic Wings *2022*

Impressions XC seminar Antoine Girard & Olympic Wings *2021*

 

 

AGAIN we are very excited to see Antoine Girard paragliding in Greece, flying together with us and our pilots for the fourth time!

 

 

Deep knowledge in performance flying and the XC & Thermalling Seminar framework will open the horizons of ability for any level pilot.

 

 

The seminar aims at the development of paraglider pilots to perform better at flying thermals and long distance flying by receiving on point guidance.

 

 

 

Seminar topics:

• Tips & guidance to help you climb fast and efficiently
• In-depth directions to flying the flatlands and mountains
• Advise to keep you safe while flying near clouds and terrain
• Skills and tactics to help you fly bigger xc distances
• How-to plan your next cross country & tips on flying new unknown areas
• Straight-forward illustrations to help you maximize flying conditions
• Psychological techniques to help you perform at your best
• Benefits of adjusting your gear & insights into modern design features

on Thermalling:

• How-to search and where to find thermals
• Different techniques at thermalling
• Simple explanations of diverse wind and thermal flow patterns
• Flying with turbulence & active piloting guidelines
• Tips for take off in thermal conditions with stronger wind
  
• Tribute on altitude awareness & decent techniques
• Flying alone and thermalling with other pilots
• Fine tuning your landing in thermal conditions
• First steps to flying XC

Program:

• Introduction and establishment of pilot levels
• Review of pilot equipment
• Area briefing and weather
• Daily tasks and group flights with radio
• Daily debrief on individual and group basis
• Final seminar assessment and summary
  

 

The course will run in the English language.

Presentations by Antoine Girard:

• Bivouac flights in the Himalayas
• XC in the Himalayas and foreign countries & preparation
• How to beat your personal XC record with management of stress, fatigue, risks
• Choose your equipment for XC flying
• How to optimize cross country flying alone, in a group
• Pilot questions and answers

about Antoine Girard:

 

 

 

 

Antoine Girard, born in south France, is an active paragliding pilot and adventurer with career focus on cross country flying, bivouac and hike & fly paragliding.

 

 

Known in the paragliding world as a respected competition pilot with strong performance in the Red Bull X-Alps competitions and entries in 2013 and 2015. 

 

In 2019 he set a world record in paragliding, in altitude gain of 5.753 meters during flight.

 

He made the first crossing of the Andes Cordillera in paragliding from Santiago to Argentina, two flights over Aconcagua 7.100 m. the highest peak in America.

 

 

 

 

He has large experience in flying new challenging terrain with many paragliding expeditions at the furthest corners of the earth.

 

Great paragliding accomplishments have led him from the European Alps to higher mountains, worlds‘ highest peaks and glorious landscapes in New Zealand, Pakistan, The Himalayas, Peru and Chile in South America.

 

He has put together and released many paragliding films that follow his explorations and achievements set in extraordinary scenery.

 

 

 

 

 

In 2017 he was nominated by National Geographic as Adventurer of the Year for his expedition in Pakistan and world flying record.

 

In 2016 Antoine embarked on an incredible journey.

 

On July 23 during a 20-day and 1.260 kilometres solo expedition in the heart of the Himalayas, Antoine Girard flew over the summit of Broad Peak and reached the Record Altitude of 8.157 m.

 

Antoine published his book about this experience  In flight towards the 8.000  detailing his efforts on this epic flying adventure. EN VOL VERS LES 8000 is currently released in the french language.

about Olympic Wings team flying support:

Olympic Wings instructors organize year after year paragliding holidays, tours and seminars for the progression of pilots. They are certified professionals in paragliding and active pilots themselves for more than 29 years.

 

Stelios, the founder of Olympic Wings, is a FAI-certified paragliding instructor well experienced in teaching and guiding international students and pilots at Mt Olympus and all across Greece to expand their knowledge and enjoy flying in safety.

 

Claudia is a certified APPI paragliding instructor, active pilot since 1991 registered with DHV, flying competitions in the whole of Greece and with flying experience in Europe. She’s been a leading member of the Olympic Wings team providing excellent theoretical knowledge and active tutoring for students and pilots flying with us.

 

More information about us and our team in this link Olympic Wings.

 

We are with you to define what is hindering your performance, how to expand your flying experience the most and perfect your skills.

 

Motivated to advance your level of piloting with substantial knowledge so you evolve as a pilot – grow your sense of safety and certainty.

 

Previous XC seminars under Olympic Wings signature:

article XC seminar with Bruce Goldsmith at Olympus   
video Bruce Goldsmith – Cloudsurfing Olympus    
article XC seminar with Michael Nesler
XC seminar with Christoph Burger
XC seminar with Simon Kirsch

 

 

 

 

 

Organization:

Olympic Wings organizes the seminar with its logistics and offers accommodation and all transfers during the flying days for all the individual pilots taking part at the seminar.

 

All necessary retrievals from XC flights are included in the transfers.

 

The pilots accommodation is located in the area close to the flying site with short drives to the take-off.

 

You can book the XC & thermalling seminar together with your accommodation and transfers directly through Olympic Wings.  

For bookings and any further information please contact us.

Olympic Wings
Paragliding Center & Paragliding Holidays in Greece
email: info@olympicwings.com
Stelios mobile: +30-6942215980