Catalan Hike & Fly Competition 2024 Bellmunt

Fly with Xirli had the honour of being the Director and Sponsor of the last race of the Catalan Hike & Fly Competition 2024, organised by the Bellmunt Vol Lliure Club, a discipline that combines paragliding with the physical effort of hiking.

As the race director, I made sure that everything went according to plan, from the preparation of the team to the development of the race itself. With this article I want to share how the race went and, at the same time, highlight the experience we have in organizing this type of race.

cquadrat catalan hike and fly 2024

Bellmunt, Spain  20 Oct, 2024

15 Pilots registered, from 4  Countries 3♀ 12♂

What is Hike and Fly?

Unlike conventional paragliding competitions, where pilots just fly, in Hike and Fly competitors must walk to a take-off point before flying. This combination of disciplines requires not only flying skills, but also excellent physical condition to face the challenge of the hike. In this last race of the league, the pilots not only demonstrated their ability to fly, but also their ability to adapt to the demands of the terrain and weather conditions.

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Organization of the event. Functions of the estates: Who is who:

The work before the race:

Bellmunt logo fons blanc

Club de Vol Lliure Bellmunt:

This is a club dedicated to paragliding located in Bellmunt, Catalonia, where events and meetings are organized to fly and enjoy the sport. The club has several pilots who score in competitions, as demonstrated by their ranking in Catalonia. The club is an open community with invitations to common events, allowing both veterans and novices to join and enjoy flying.

Fly with Xirli:

Fly with Xirli is an aerial activities company founded by in 2015, which specializes in all kinds of aerial activities and offers its services in the organization of paragliding competitions and is a paragliding pilot guide in Barcelona. The company is headed by Xirli, a licensed expert pilot, who shares his passion for flying through various aerial experiences. Fly with Xirli provides a pick-up service and organizes flights in different locations

Bellmunt logo fons blanc

Club de Vol Lliure Bellmunt:

This is a club dedicated to paragliding located in Bellmunt, Catalonia, where events and meetings are organized to fly and enjoy the sport. The club has several pilots who score in competitions, as demonstrated by their ranking in Catalonia. The club is an open community with invitations to common events, allowing both veterans and novices to join and enjoy flying.

Fly with Xirli:

Fly with Xirli is an aerial activities company founded by in 2015, which specializes in all kinds of aerial activities and offers its services in the organization of paragliding competitions and is a paragliding pilot guide in Barcelona. The company is headed by Xirli, a licensed expert pilot, who shares his passion for flying through various aerial experiences. Fly with Xirli provides a pick-up service and organizes flights in different locations

Briefing and Flight Equipment Preparation

The day began with the traditional briefing, a key briefing where the pilots received details about the weather, the flight route, and safety regulations. The strategy for the race was explained, with particular emphasis on how the weather would affect both the hike and the flight. Safety is always our top priority, and ensuring that all pilots fully understand the conditions is critical to the success of the race.

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The Race Development

Once the briefing was over, the pilots prepared for the first part of the competition: the hike. In this race, each pilot had to reach the take-off point on foot, carrying his paraglider and the necessary equipment for the second part of the race. This is one of the aspects that makes Hike and Fly unique, as it requires both physical endurance and strategy to quickly reach takeoff without exhausting energy before the flight. After reaching the take-off point, the second part began: the flight. The pilots had to complete a course marked by several waypoints. The ability to make quick and accurate decisions was key in determining who would achieve the best times.

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Arrival Control and Final Registration

When the pilot lands, he must go to the arrival control area, the area where the competition director is located. In this area, the pilot must record his name and the time spent in the race, as well as sign to confirm that the data recorded are correct. This process is essential to ensure the validity of the times and to prepare the official classification of the competition.

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Atmosphere and Good Vibes

One of the best parts of the race was the positive atmosphere that was felt. Despite the competition, all pilots showed a spirit of camaraderie and mutual support, which contributed to creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

At the end of the day, beyond the results, what remained was the feeling of having enjoyed a unique experience.

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Final evaluation of the event

Organizing and leading this event has been an incredible experience. At Fly with Xirli, we not only sponsor paragliding and Hike and Fly events, but we also put all our experience and passion at the service of the pilots who participate. If you are a pilot planning to fly in Barcelona or Spain, we invite you to learn more about our personalized services. With years of experience in organizing competitions and private flights, we are ready to offer you an unforgettable paragliding experience in Barcelona.

The success of the championship would not have been possible without the dedication and effort of the team. From the initial planning to the execution of the event, each member of the team played a crucial role in ensuring that everything ran smoothly. I hope you enjoyed this article, where I have shown my extensive experience in organizing paragliding competitions. Please feel free to contact me for more information about my personalized service as a paragliding guide. I am here to meet your expectations.

So, what are you waiting for? Let's take to the skies together and make unforgettable paragliding memories with Fly With Xirli. Reach out and let's make it happen!

Fly in Barcelona

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If weather conditions are not good enough to do the activity on the agreed day I will propose 2 options:

  • Return your payment to you, or
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