First Speedriding/Speedflying School in California

trexle · 2011-08-21 20:15:15

This is sick, in my opinion http://www.speedflysoboba.com/skiers.html They go in the Sierras. I live out here so I am definitely doing it.

84891jnf92048

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Crazy Fool

sounds like a good way to pay a shitload of insurance and make no money.

14 years ago

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Rachy

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There are a bunch of people that do that off the back side of Mammoth. Hang out at Tamarack on a sunny day after a snow storm and you will likely find them. Probably a lot cheaper than the $1000 lesson price tag.

14 years ago

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trexle

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Yes, he is from Mammoth and one of those guys. I guess the mountain doesn't let them up there unless they have the rating/license whatever it is. I'm getting it, I know that much.

14 years ago

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Rachy

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The lady that works at the looney bean (at least she did.. haven't been there for a year) does it as well. I think her name is carrie.. She invited me to come check it out. She is one of 10 or so women in the US that do it. Could be worth it to look into it. I plan on tracking her down once I get back.

14 years ago

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trexle

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I am thinking that might be Kari Castle. I've been looking around at some of the other places that teach paragliding, but none of them teach speedflying specifically. Her site says $2000 for the license. Would probably be the best bet for somebody that lives up there.

14 years ago

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rylton

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I started doing this at Soboba back in May and it's awesome. You can do like 15-20 flights a day and get good quick. I could only do two days and had to leave, but am going back to finish up and be ready for this season. Maybe will see you out there.

Ryan

14 years ago

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trexle

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Apparently June Mtn already allows it (with a license) on some of their normal ski runs, and Bear/Summit are going to start some time this season. That would be great to crank out the runs to get primed for the backcountry.

14 years ago

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rylton

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The Soboba guys have a bunch of their own secret spots up there and a couple of 800cc snowmobiles to shuttle. One run is 2900' and it only takes 7 minutes to get from bottom to top!

14 years ago

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Rachy

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Soooo.... I really want to do/try this. If you/anyone else around Mammoth would want to do a group session. I would really really really consider it. Just need to pay for my season pass/ new boots/ beacon first. :/

14 years ago

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delicia

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I am definitely going to do this. But I am in S Cal so I think this Saboba place. If you can really get 15 runs a day it is totally worth it. If anybody else is in this area and wants to get a group together I am sure they have a discount.

14 years ago

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Rachy

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I'm in LA often.... I'm here right now, but going back to Mammoth tomorrow.

14 years ago

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troy_hartman

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Hey all,

Somebody just emailed with questions and pointed me to this thread. Really great to see you found us. I am from Mammoth, born and raised there since 1971, now split my time up between there and San Diego. Would love to get a group together down here, get everybody dialed in to hit some of our favorite backcountry spots this winter. Yes, a couple of Summit 800's are our workhorses that allow lapping and tens of thousands of vertical a day.

We will work with everybody on the price. It is such a new sport we just want to get the first crop of guys/gals out there ripping it up with their GoPros/Contours and putting the videos online. It will spread like wildfire after that.

Looking forward to meeting some new people that share the same passion for life/speed/nature. Just email me at info@speedflysoboba.com anytime...

Troy

14 years ago

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oldskewl

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Ridiculous

I started spped flying several years ago. I started hanggliding back in 1985 and have been around the block more than once. You will notice all of these posts about how great these guys are from people with ZERO post counts. I dont know these guys - but never really flew in southern cal. Although I did live in Tahoe for nearly 10 yesrs and did a shit load of hanggliding/paragliding there.

I have done speed flying in Utah We did it off 9990 at the canyons in utah. I have a very good pal named steve mayer who teaches it out here in Utah. He runs an outfit called cloud 9 - has been doing it for a long time and is tatally dialed in

14 years ago

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troy_hartman

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I am totally new here and registered to make sure I could answer any questions as they come up. I am familiar with Ryan. We are a legit school and have been working closely with USHPA to develop the new "S" rating system, such that speedflyers don't need to go through all of the paragliding training to get a license and gain access to controlled mountain sites.

Yes, Utah is great. That's where I learned to speedfly in 2007. Chris Santacroce had one of the very first Bobcats back then and that was my first flight.

Such an awesome sport. Hope to see some of you out here!

Troy

14 years ago

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oldskewl

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troy,

that is good to hear my man. I saw this thread and it looked a lot like a troll. I have been involved in high consequence sports for a long time. I have seen a lot of people get fucked up really bad due to lack of training/ experience/ respect for mother nature. In fact a few years ago I kid I knew got into speedflying with out instruction - even though he was warned repeatedly...ended up breaking his pelvis. Hopefully you can turn a lot of these younger guys on to this. good luck!!

14 years ago

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skiingpimp

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troy you are a legend. who puts their canopy in kerosene and lights it one fire????

And i think speed flying needs some type of progression and rating system. seen lots of tib/fib fracture + sprained ankles cause people are being stupid.

14 years ago

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troy_hartman

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Haha. I know, looking back years later it's completely ridiculous.

We hope that the speedflying rating system will open up access to more ski resorts, like it is in Europe. I may be dreaming, but that's all that has ever driven my life anyway.

14 years ago

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skiingpimp

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it is still safer than proxy flying. and if any kids in CO are interested in this PM me. loveland pass is a great place to learn when we get a little coverage.

14 years ago

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troy_hartman

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Yes, much safer than proximity flying, but only slightly less thrilling. Better risk/reward ratio, I think. No need to travel all the way to Europe either.

14 years ago

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Funnel

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That video was fucking crazy. At first I was like okay they're thirty or forty feet up, that's cool. Then they got way the hell up there and my jaw dropped. Both lincolns were nuts.

14 years ago

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mr.society

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i heart cats

14 years ago

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LivinOuttaBounZ

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There are several places where you can get a P2 license here in WA as well. Lots of Paragliding and speedflying to be done here. I just sold a Gin Nano to get an Acro wing. Way more fun than speedflying in my honest opinion.

14 years ago

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