Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Ludovic and I'm originally from Sète in the Hérault. I moved to the Hautes-Alpes almost 10 years ago for work. Initially, I was supposed to stay for 2/3 years before moving back to the South of France. In the end, I got totally sucked into the mountains; the grandiose landscapes, the multitude of outdoor activities to be enjoyed all year round, the lovely people and the exceptional climate got the better of me and I settled here!
When and why did you start paragliding?
Originally I was a kitesurfer. I used to shuttle some of my kitesurfing friends, who were also paragliders, by car to the take-off point. At first, it amused me, but as I watched them fly over the lake in enchanting landscapes, and saw their photos and videos, I got over it!
What memories do you have of your first paragliding flight? Solo and/or tandem.
My first flight was a tandem flight with a professional friend. A flight over Lac de Serre-PonçonI knew immediately that I was going to do it!
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What are you most passionate about in this sport? What made you "fall in love" with it?
The great thing about this discipline is that there's something for everyone! There's :
- Walking + flying: Hike with light equipment and fly down the mountain.
- Cross-country: Using lift to make long-distance flights. (The best do up to 300 km in a day!).
- Aerobatics: This consists of performing acrobatic tricks with your glider.
There's also the contemplative aspect, which is fantastic: being able to fly over places like the Ecrins massif, observing landscapes and wild animals, turns every flight into a unique adventure.
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What's your favorite spot in Serre-Ponçon?
I'm particularly fond of the Pierre Arnoux site above Savines-le-Lac, for its panoramic views of the lake and its easy access!
Are you afraid of heights on your first jump? Do you have any advice on how to overcome these fears?
It all depends on your individual sensibilities. Often, the first step is a tandem flight with a paragliding professional. They're used to it, and they'll know how to put you at ease so that you can fully enjoy this extraordinary experience, which you shouldn't miss under any circumstances! Take the plunge, you won't regret it!
