It was an honor to have Bruce and Matthieu visit us. While at Native Place Bruce gave the Nirvana Team some valuable insights into what goes into designing paragliders. We were also privy to some very interesting footage of his Instability 2 that is currently in the making. Sanjay appreciated some sound advice from Matthieu.

Bruce is one of the world’s most renowned paraglider designers and test pilots, and is also one of the most successful competition pilots of all time: Three times British Paragliding Champion, 1999 Serial Class World Cup Champion, and 2004 Vice-European Champion.

His film 'Instability' helped thousands of pilots gain insight into tips and tricks learned by the professional test pilots. His next offering Instability 2 is slated to be an essential update for all pilots wanting to fly at their safest.

Ten cadets from INS Shivaji, Lonavala and INS Mandovi, Goa, all between the ages of 18 to 22, full of energy and enthusiasm successfully completed the ‘P1 Beginner Course’, joining the ever- widening community of student pilots in the Western Ghats. It’s a matter of pride and great honor for Nirvana Adventures to associate with Indian Navy in training their cadets in the art of free flying.

- Indian Navy takes to the sky>>
- News coverage>>

Our very own Sanjay Pendurkar took part in the Paragliding Pre World Cup held at Bir Billing (28th October to 3rd November 2003). The 5 day long event had amateur as well as professional categories. Pendurkar opted to take part in the professional category and fly with the best. World ranking pilots took part in this category among them being Nikolay Shorokhov of Russia, Hiraki Keiko of Japan and Xavier Murillo of France.

The Backpacker Co. invited Nirvana Adventures™ to share our paragliding experience with their members.
Over coffee at Mocha we mingled with the members of the club.

Being the fag end of the ‘paragliding off season’ a number of our students & pilots turned up to indulge in flying talk and speculate on when the season would begin. Our presentation comprised 2 short films one on the joys of free flight and the other on learning to fly. We then requested a couple of students to share their experiences. To our surprise a number of students spontaneously came forward to say their bit and route for us.

Here is what they had to say…

Mahrukh “ I am not an active outdoors type. I was afraid and did not believe that I could do it. They encouraged me to keep at it. I did my first flight and as soon as my feet touched the ground, I turned back and ran up the hill for the next flight”

Harish “ I was at a loose end one weekend as my friends were busy and unable to go trekking. I browsed the web, called Sanjay and he asked me to just land up. Since then I have completed P2 and find myself driving up to Kamshet for a flight every time I have a free weekend or even a Sunday to myself.”

Piku - “ I watched the kites fly from my terrace and always wished I could fly freely like a bird. ‘Learning to fly’ made my dreams come true. I love being up in the air along with the birds, way above it all. I wish I could fly every single day”

Chintu - “I came across paragliding while on a holiday in Goa, and did a course there with some 'firang' guy. I was unhappy with the quality of instruction and the equipment. Since then I did a course with Nirvana Adventures and I have to tell you that Sanjay runs a tight operation here and his instruction and equipment are impressive”

Vikram – “One thing I have to say is that Sanjay does not do ‘chindi chori’ (does not cut corners). His equipment and instruction are state of the art. I travel across the world and am making my comparison with experience”

Sunil Karer - “I’m an old man, and I was impatient with the very first day of ground training. I kept insisting on going up and flying but the instructors were determined for me to do my time on the ground before progressing to the skies. Finally I sat on a stone and refused to budge until Mahrukh said to me ‘once you fly you will forget all this’. I respect their decision now, as I understand that safety comes first”

We have acquired a number of new wings this season including a Gin tandem with love from our friend Jeff in Hong Kong. Come check them out!

Our first P-1 course this season began during the Diwali weekend. Students came in from Mumbai and Pune with the intention of committing freeflight.

A steady east wind, blue skies and fluffy white cumulus signaled the opening of the season. Manoj, Yogi, Astrid and Sanjay flew from Tower Hill on the 5th October.

A pair of Indian Long Billed Vultures soon joined us, a mystic first flying day of the season!