Chasing Sunshine and Dreams: Ivan’s Paragliding Adventure in Spain
For more than two decades, Ivan had talked about learning to paraglide. It was one of those dreams that stays tucked in the back of your mind, always present, always postponed. Between Yorkshire’s endless rain and the unpredictable winds, a full year of training had yielded only four lessons. Eventually, his wife gave him the nudge he needed: stop moaning and just go somewhere sunny.
And just like that, the trip was booked
Swapping the familiar grey skies of Yorkshire for the warm glow of Spain, Ivan arrived with nothing more than a toothbrush, clean underwear, and a generous dose of Yorkshire grit. Zero Gravity, the paragliding school he chose, took care of everything: airport pickup, accommodation, daily transport. By the time he stepped into the Spanish sunshine, he felt like he’d landed in a different world.
Those first days were all about shaking off the rust. Ground handling. Takeoffs. A few wobbly landings. Plenty of laughter. Slowly, the old confidence returned. The beginner course started with tandem flights—just enough guidance to feel supported, but soon enough the instructors handed over the controls. And then came the moment: Ivan’s first solo flight.
Wing up. Feet off the ground. Pure magic.
Every morning he woke to clear blue skies, a far cry from the drizzle back home. No muddy boots. No waiting for clouds to clear. Just purpose-built launch sites, sunshine on his back, and the simple joy of being exactly where he wanted to be. Even on days when the wind misbehaved—too strong at the top, nonexistent at the bottom—there was always something to learn.
Somewhere between takeoffs and ridge-soaring, Ivan caught himself wondering: Are you ever really too old to do the things you’ve always wanted to do?
At 62, soaring through the air made him feel 21 again.
As the week went on, he moved into his advanced training with two instructors he came to admire deeply: Luisma, endlessly patient, and Nacho, so relaxed he was practically horizontal. Under their guidance, each flight felt smoother, each landing a little less dramatic.
Eventually, the adventure came to an end. Back home in Yorkshire, with a fresh haircut and a quiet sense of accomplishment, Ivan couldn’t help but smile. He’d traded rain for sun, hesitation for action, and a long-standing dream for the reality of flying solo in Spain.
His final thought was simple:
If there’s something you’ve wanted to do for years, don’t wait for perfect weather. Just go. Do it. Fly.
