THE PARAHAWKING SEASON IS APPROACHING
 The 2007/8 season is fast approaching, I'll be heading out in just a couple of weeks for my 7th consecutive season. The last few years have been a real journey, I never thought that training birds to fly with Paragliders was going to be easy, at best I thought it would be challenging, but never it my dreams did I expect to be taken on such a rollercoaster of highs and lows. For anybody who read the Parahawking feature in the latest XC mag will now know the difficulties I face and the problems I've had to overcome. But it's all been worth it as season after season the birds get better and we continue to push the boundaries of interaction between man and bird. This season promises to be no different.
Myself and the rest of the ever growing Parahawking team will me keeping Blogs of our day to day Parahawking activties, it should make interesting reading. We've made a start already, Click here to read it.
SPONSORS OLD AND NEW
 GIN Gliders - As you can probably tell by the logo on Brad's hood that GIN has been the main sponsor of Parahawking for the last few years.
 Over the years, they have supplied me with the latest gliders, harness' and clothing and without this level of support, I would simply not be able to continue. So I'd like to take this opportunity to thank GIN for their support and I hope it may continue.
Gin don't just sell Gliders and Harness', they sell a superb range of clothing too.
Visit the Gin website go to- www.gingliders.com
 Ben Long Falconry - Modern Falconry practice requires modern falconry equipment and Ben Long has been leading the field in the manufacture of Falconry furniture for as long as i've been practicing the sport.
Ben, who knows all about flying being a qualified pilot himself, has provided us with some valuable pieces of kit, much of which we cannot get in Nepal. Thanks Ben!
To visit the Ben Long Falconry website go to - www.benlongfalconry.com
I am also delighted to announce some new sponsors
 Tinyloc - TinyLoc is a technological company manufacturing digital telemetry and radio tracking for animals. Their products are successfully used worldwide in different fields such as falconry and hawking, hunting with dogs and wildlife preservation.
 Tinyloc produce one of the smallest and best telemetry systems in the world which makes it absolutely perfect for our needs. When you lose a bird in the Himalayas, you want to know that your system is not going to let you down. The Tinlyloc system is well, tiny so we can now operate the devise whilst flying which will enable us to track the birds from the air. Brilliant!
So with all this in mind Tinyloc have offered to provide us with their very latest kit and become a sponsor of the Parahawking project.
To visit the Tinyloc website go to - www.tinyloc.com
 Pakatak - I am one small step closer to making a new film thanks to the support and generosity of the guys at Pakatak. Pakatak are a UK based security and surveillance company who specialise in the supply of CCTV and mini cameras and other equipment for the security market. After visiting the Parahawking website they kindly offered to support and sponsor the project and supply me with the tiny cameras I need to capture the onboard birds eye view footage that's going to be featured in the next film. Watch this space!
To find out more about Pakatak and to see some of their kit go to - www.pakatak.co.uk
 Sky Control.net - Skycontrol is an international aviation news web magazine, providing up-to-date information on all major aeronautical and aerospace subjects. It has regular contributions from most of the leading aviation companies in the world, including the top Paragliding manufacturers. Sky Control have given the Parahawking project a huge amount of exposure on it's popular website. Thanks guys
To visit the Sky Control website go to - www.skycontrol.net
 Vestergaard Frandsen SA - The Vestergaard Frandsen Group is an international company founded in Denmark in 1957. They specialise in complex emergency response and disease control textiles, with clients all over the world. Vanderstaard Frandsen support a variety of projects all over the world so I am delighted they have decided to provide financial support to the Himalayan Raptor Rescue Project.
To find out more about them and the incredible work that they do go to - www.vestergaard-frandsen.com
NEW TEAM MEMBERS
Each year I try and give someone the opportunity to come out and spend a season with us, to learn about Parahawking and gain the skills required to train and look after birds of prey. As usual, I was inundated with offers, but I eventually narrowed it down to just two. This season's new team members are Isabella Reibling and Mark Bennet. Both Bella and Mark will be bringing with them their own skills and experience. Bella has a passion for the outdoors and as Paraglider, dreams to be flying with birds of prey. Whilst Mark on the other hand is a working falconer with the desire to increase his knowledge and try his hand at Paragliding.
Both Bella and Mark will join myself and James this season, bringing the team total to 4. you can read about how we all get on in the Blogs section of the website.
HIMALAYAN RAPTOR RESCUE SPONSORSHIP SCHEME
 Firstly I would like to take this opportunity thank all those who took the time to support the Himalayan Raptor Rescue Sponsor Scheme. The "Wall of Support" as I now like to call it, looks pretty impressive with some of Paragliding's biggest names lending their support along with smaller companies and individuals.
Just to recap what this is all about - Every year I take in sick, injured and orphaned birds of prey. These birds need special care if they are to be rehabilitate and returned to the wild. The money raised from this exercise will go towards providing the expert care, specialist veterinary treatment, housing and food that these birds need.
However, I'm still a little way off my target and there are still some spaces left. So if you haven't already contributed and placed your mark on the wall, now's your chance.
Click here to find out more and to place your ad.
PARAHAWKING ADVENTURE - Experience it for yourself!
There are still a few left places on the world famous Parahawking adventure. This is a totally unique adventure for both Paraglider pilots and non pilots alike.
Where else can you get to spend a week in one of the most beautiful places in the world with one of the largest number of species of Birds of Prey, learn the noble art of Falconry and then fly with them in the mighty Himalayas.
Come and be a part of the Parahawking team this season.
Go to the website
email me
Dates for the 7 day Parahawking Adventure:
| 2007/2008 |
Availability |
Price |
| 12 Nov > 18 Nov |
Limited spaces |
$1100 |
| 26 Nov > 2 Dec |
Very Limited spaces |
$1100 |
| 10 Dec > 16 Dec |
Very Limited spaces |
$1100 |
| 07 Jan > 13 Jan |
Very Limited spaces |
$1100 |
| 21 Jan > 27 Jan |
FULL |
$1100 |
| 04 Feb > 10 Feb |
Limited spaces |
$1100 |
| 18 Feb > 24 Feb |
Limited spaces |
$1100 |
The above dates also apply for non pilots although the price for non pilots is $1400
Above prices include all your accommodation, daily lunches and 1 internal flight.
Parahawking prices:
Tandem flights - $120
Solo flight (for pilots only) - $120
Parahawking adventure 7 day (for pilots) - $1100
Parahawking adventure 7 day (for non pilots) - $1400
NEPAL - NOT JUST ABOUT PARAHAWKING
FALCONRY
 In Nepal we often see Eales and Vultures circling above the mountains so taking a falconry course is a great way to get up close and personl with birds of prey. I also offer a range Falconry courses. They are as follows:
• Afternoon introduction to Falconry- $60
• Falconry course per day - $120
• Falconry Course 7 day - $820 (includes 1 Parahawking day)
To find out more please visit the website or email me
GO TREKKING WITH HIMALAYAN FRONTIERS
 Himalayan Frontiers are a specialist trekking and adventure company with both offices in the UK and in Nepal. Their experience, local knowledge and expertise is unrivalled. Himalayan Frontiers are currently offering late summer discounts on some of their best and most popular treks including the world famous Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit.
To reserve your place or to find out more go to - www.himalayanfrontiers.co.uk
GO PARAGLIDING WITH FRONTIERS PARAGLIDING
 Frontiers Paragliding are the Pioneers of Paragliding in Nepal. Run by Adam Hill, Frontiers Paragliding have been providing Paragliding holidays in Nepal for the past 13 years and are unrivalled in their knowledge of paragliding conditions, sites and local cultures.
If you are looking to learn to fly then in my opinion there is no better place to learn than in Nepal and no better company to learn with than with Frontiers Paragliding.
To find out more about the courses or the other paragliding holidays they offer go to - www.himalayan-paragliding.com
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