Guiding

We offer several levels of guiding in the Shropshire Hills of the UK which cover all skill levels and abilities. Pick your level below or contact us for more information.

We also offer a number of guiding holidays throughout the year, click here for more information.

	We teach in Bulgaria in a little town called SOPOT. A weeks course will have you (weather permitting) flying solo from the fantastic hills using our gear. We start with 4 days at the training slopes getting used to how the gear works and how to connect yourself to the glider/harness, then we move on to forward launches and control of the wing while running. Over the first two days you will be taking off and doing small hops, over the weeks course you will receive enough advise to be able to start longer flights and move onto flying from the mountain solo while our instructor talks to you via radio. You will fly from the main mountain 5 or 10 times, you also get 1 free tandem flight by one of our pilots. Our instructor will teach you all you need to know and put you through your paces in a fun way throught your week. At the end of this week you will hold an IPPI LICENCE. Price: 1 weeks instruction for beginners is just £650, this includes: Airport transfers to and from Sofia airport Your stay in the HOTEL SOPOT Morning briefing's and de-briefings Training each day for your stay and a IPPI LICENCE at the end 1 Tandem flight The weeks pictures/video's taken while you have fun. All you need to pay for on top is your easy jet flights & food for the week. A rough idea for pricing is flights cost me £95 there and back! Food is about £5-£8 per night, Beer is 40p a pint! If you would like to book just call me (07774 856056) or email me (markleavesley@btinternet.com).
	PHASE 1: Aimed at the pilot that wants to master rigging and getting set up in the wind with ease, better ways of connecting your glider and harness, launching the canopy and controlling it using the A'S and C Risers to stop being dragged, launching flying for a short wile then landing and re-taking off. Getting your confidence built up so you are no longer worried about any of this when arriving at the hill each time. £25 a day. PHASE 2: Getting ofey with ridge soaring in a safe manner with others, using correct angles for soaring and making good and safe landing approaches. £25 a day. PHASE 3: Spotting thermals and potential for thermals and then understanding what direction to go to and how to use them to get the best from them. Getting you climbing at a higher rate, when to leave the climb and safe use of the cloud and use of your compass to stay safe when getting near the cloud. Understanding what clouds you can go to and what you can not. £25 a day. PHASE 4: Easy decent techniques done without having to scare yourself doing crazy spiral dives. Getting high and not knowing how to get down can be a scary time, this can be a great day because you will learn just how easy it can be done without massive g-force. £25 a day. PHASE 5: Circuit and bumps, for the pilot that has trouble setting up a good landing approach and making a good soft touchdown and then getting the canopy back down onto the ground without being dragged. £25 a day. PHASE 6: Aimed at the pilot that is now ready for going xc "cross country". I will guide in all aspects of spotting a good climb, what direction to launch and take the climb, leaving the climb at the correct time and knowing your next move, use of the compass when near cloud base, good choice of glide lines and moving onto the next climb/cloud, spotting a safe place to land out, what to do to stand a better chance of a quick pick up when hitch hiking. £25 a day. PHASE 7: Aimed at the pilot that wants one to one tuition for the day with Mark. £50 a day.
	Speed-Flying is for Experts Only! Speed-Flying is an extreme sport that involves paragliding on a very small agile and fast canopy. It is a relatively new sport that is growing rapidly and gaining lots of attention. As a speed flyer for a few years now, I feel it is my responsibility to point out some important safety concerns. Speed-Flying May Feel Safer Than It Is Pilots think that because there flying at low levels there safer on these gliders "WRONG" these gliders fly at extreme speeds, at low level at speed things happen very quickly. Before you know it you can be scraping ya ass on the hill side or worse rocks! There have been many deaths already around the world on speed wings and they have to be taken into mind before you start this part of the sport. It's a fantastic adrenaline rush and there really awesome to fly don't get me wrong, I'm just being honest, It's an extreme sport! Speed-Flying Requirements Mainly you need to be at a high level in your paragliding before you even think about speed wing flying. Be completely honest about your level of skills. Start with the correct size speed wing too, do not go out and buy a 9m wing. This will be the start of a bad situation for sure. Speed-Flying Beginners If you want to have a go at the fantastic adrenaline fuelled sport and all fit's into place with why you want to do it and you know your at the level to move into this area then get in touch with Mark to start the ball rolling either via e-mail or by calling him. Prices £65 per day using your own kit. Starting with ground and canopy control, then moving onto flight style and best landing approaches to make sure you land in a correct manner. These gliders need more skill in a good nil wind landing than normal paragliders as they come into there approach a lot faster and with more energy. £130 per day using my kit. All my kit is brand new 2011 gear and in tip top condition.