Paragliding is Better for Business than Golf

I've never really cared for golf.

I can do it, walk through the 18 holes with only a few snowmen. But, I've never experienced what people always say about golf: that it's good for business.



The people you'll meet paragliding.

I've never met anyone golfing who didn't want to sell me something, usually real estate or some kind of investment. On the contrary, paragliding has introduced me to dozens of entrepreneurs, people with money to invest or people who are just plain doing something interesting in business.

The woman you see above here was a buffet decoration at a party I attended last night in Ranch Sante Fe. The owner of the mansion is a biotech entrepreneur who works with plasma DNA. When we met I told him about my new arc-plasma business and we shared polite nods. When I asked him if he'd like a tandem flight suddenly he took an interest.

I'm am nearly 100% certain that if I had asked him if he wanted to golf that would have been the end of the conversation. Instead, I've got access now to his personal secretary.

That's been my consistent response when I talk paragliding with people in business. It's intriguing. It's access to another world. You know the person you're talking to is seriously engaged with life.

In short: paragliding is better for business than golf.

2 Quick Flights

Flights 116-7

My parent-in-laws are visiting from NYC and I asked if they'd like to have lunch at the gliderport. My real intention was to sign them up for a tandem flight and offer it as a surprise gift. They both declined but for a reason I didn't expect: they just ate lunch. So next time I'm taking them out before they eat.


Ma Belle-mère.

I usually like to fly when I'm not hungry so this caught me by surprise. I never think of things like motion sickness.

I got to the gliderport about a half hour before they did, got out my wing and started kiting. The conditions were perfect: wind due west at 10-12. I didn't think I'd have time for a flight but there weren't many people there so I thought I'd fly right at the edge of the window over the parking lot and look for their car.

I feel very much in control at Torrey. It almost doesn't feel like flying if that makes any sense. The place is very familiar and consistent. I'm not sure if this confidence is a good or bad thing. It would be bad if I were growing nonchalant. I don't paraglide because I'm an adrenaline junkie. I do it because I have a need to experience beauty. There's plenty of beauty at Torrey. But I do miss the thrill of a new site. I don't want to grow dissatisfied with Torrey just because I know it so well.

I got 1 more flight it as conditions were getting a bit weak. I was showing off a bit for the inlaws staying within sight of the restaurant and doing some basic maneuvers. I'm going to try to sneak in 1 more surprise visit before they leave next week just to see if it was really the food. ;)