thomas de dorlodot

SEARCH Africa. Getting ready.

2011-11-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

After their trip together to Mexico, Guatemala and Pakistan in search of secrets spots, Thomas de Dorlodot and Horacio Llorens along with photographer John Stapels will leave Belgium with their Volkswagen AMAROK and travel all the way South to Cape Town. They will embark on a 4,5 months journey that will take them trough 15 different countries. The team will fly where no one has been flying before and use their paragliders as a way to discover Africa and meet its people. They plan to intend to push the limits of their sport and come back with a great footage that will be used to make a 52 min documentary. The team will post news, pictures and films on this page. Stay tuned.

225.02km above the high mountains of Pakistan.

2011-06-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

New record flight in the Himalayas.

Info :

Glider : Gradient Avax XC3.

Harness : Sup’Air D-lite. Less than 3kg with parachute. No carbon plate.

Oxygen bottle : Summit Oxygen.

Clothes : Peak Performance.

8.12 hours flying.

Altitude max : 6443m

Max vario : 5.5m/s.

Max sink rate : 6m/s.

What a flight… Today we are taking a well deserved day of rest as yesterday was pretty epic…Our team is now in Gilgit sharing a mouton Karahi for diner in a noisy local Pakistani restaurant and trying to come down on earth. We have smiles on our face, clouds in our heads and the sound of screaming varios in our ears… It feels just great to share this with friends.

I dreamed about this flight some time ago when our friend Brad Sander flew 224km from Booni to Hunza in 2008 and broke the altitude world record by the same occasion. This flight was for me one of the biggest achievement a paragliding pilot could dream of. As he flew in remote areas, in between huge mountains and in total autonomy. Back in the time, when I saw is track I felt very small and incapable of doing the same.

A week ago Brad told me with modesty on the phone : « You will see, it is easy when you have the right conditions… » Just if it was easy like turning when it beeps and flying straight when it does not… 9 hours later you might be far away… Still, it is my third time in Pakistan and I know what it takes to make the best of those good days. We have been waiting for 2 months last year with Ramon Morillas for the rain to stop… and finally, yesterday I flew above all those places where we got stocked last year because of floods and heavy rain… I really did not expect to fly 1km more than Brad on a different line…

Let me tell you the story of this flight in a few words. We woke up in Booni early in the morning to go to the take off but as we like having a real breakfast and local tea, we took some time to get in the car… J We arrived a bit late at the take off but got ready fast. The wind is there already. We have oxygen bottles, Belgian chocolate, hand warmers and worm clothes. We are ready for some bivy as we also bring sleeping bags, food, water, and the minimum to survive a few days in the mountains. I even have my fly fishing rod and a box full of flies because we are heading to some of the best trout fishing spots on earth and I am hoping to catch some fish for diner. This fishing rod will fly for the first time and his probably the highest rod on earth when I reach 6443m with Horacio a few hours later… But it is not the point here… What I don’t know yet is that we are going to fly high above this great rivers without having a chance to try to catch a bruin trout… I promise I will come back someday.

The flight starts well as Hernan Pitocco opens the game followed by Horacio Llorens and I. Somehow it feels funny to fly XC with those 2 great acro pilot. Usually they start tumbling around when they arrive at cloud base. But today we play a different game and those guys also now how it works. We fly in team but at some point we take different options. Pitocco is aggressive and fast but lose some height in a difficult transition. He will make it back easy and raise the rhythm. We all have different styles and I like it. We have 8 hours to get to know each other and make the best out of this day together… The spirit is good and I have to say that without them this flight would have been impossible.

I do not have much oxygen in my bottle so I go easy. Anyway, cloud base is low today. We can « only » climb to 5500m this morning. After this is like usual. From one thermal to another, one cloud to another.. east face, south face, west face… I think I reached the state of hypoxia a few time as I usually do not sing in turbulent conditions…

Time is running fast and cloud base getting higher. We climb together with Horacio in a very turbulent thermal at 6300m. The thermal is in the lee side and that’s when acro skills really help… Just high enough to freeze our hands. We can feel the tension, no one is talking on the radio for the 3 hottest hours of the day… Concentratd guys… The motivations are high. 189 km from Booni means Gilgit and hot shower… The view is breathtaking. We can see Nanga Parbat, K2 and some huge thunderstorm. I have some Belgian chocolate with me as a secret weapon but no water. I am talking to my Gradient XC3 when it is rough, to the mountain and to the birds when the thermal comes nice and smooth… It will be funny on our film as we are actually filming a documentary with Belgian director Olivier Vanashen. I have a microphone on me and a camera…

We make some distance and we start to believe that Gilgit is a realistic goal. The idea of a good bed and a nice restaurant gives us some strength. Time goes by and the sun goes down. We are getting closer. No real low points. I fly with Pitocco as Horacio got low at some point but will make a great come back with his Nova Factor 2 and land after 189km, his last serious XC flight was 11 years ago flying 90km in Spain. Flying together gives us more courage to scratch on rocky faces and to fly close to the ridge. The thermals are now smooth, we talk on radios again. We have been flying for 7 hours and Gilgit appears in the horizon. Pitocco is there but leaves a thermal to early and goes down after a huge 210km with his SOL comp glider !!!

Now it is a fight to death. Pitocco and Horacio are saying on the radio : « animo tio, puedes conseguirlo… »

We know that Brad flew the longest distance ever done in Himalaya with 224km. I look at the camera, talk to the microphone and say : « Brad here I am… Now it’s between you and me. » Without Brad’s amazing flight I would have land in Gilgit exhausted and happy to reach the hotel and share tea with my friends… I am now determined but it is just for fun.

But, as we fly above Gilgit, I start to see the possibility to break this record flight. It is a one time opportunity. I eat some Belgian chocolate and engage the fight… I say : « God if you exist let me know now… and the vario starts beeping… » I reconsider my point of view about religions and start turning around…

It feels like my dear Belgium flatlands flying. 0.5m/s. I get the last 30 km like that and land with the wind in the back just to make the best out of my glide. I think I am alone in the middle of nowhere and I scream « thank you »to the sky. A minute later, as usual, an army of kids are running around. I land near a town called Pari… I wish I could be in the French capital and enjoy « la cuisine française » and a fresh beer. But it is most likely not going to happen.My legs cannot hold me and I am exhausted. I hitchhike and go back to town to meet my friends. I do not know yet if I flew more than Brad or not. It does not matter. What matters here is to have fun and to enjoy.

Now after checking on XC contest I realized that my distance is bigger by 1.3km… Nothing regarding those 225km… I am looking forward to share a Belgian beer with Brad and talk paragliding.

Now we still have 2 weeks to go here in Pakistan and we might try to break his altitude world record. But it is another story…

Blue skies & soft landings,

Tom

Roll Over above Belgium...

2011-05-15T04:20:00.000-07:00

Hi all, first ever roll over above Belgium today together with my friend Filip Peremans... Good kick. Thanks to Kris and his team : http://www.stepinballooning.be/
Full story soon on TV. Stay tuned. :-)

Black Diamond gears just landed @ my place...

2011-04-28T08:40:00.000-07:00

I just received a huge box full of brand new Black Diamond gears I will bring to Pakistan next month... ;-) Looking forward to use it in real conditions... For now I am just climbing trees around my house and running around with my bagpack full of old books to train...

The trekking poles are so light and super short when packed.. Perfect for the Red Bull X Alps race too. The BD team also sent me a few headlamps for late night walk... Getting ready... :-)
You know the saying: "hope for the best but be ready for the worse."

Getting ready fo a third trip to Pakistan...

2011-04-20T01:33:00.000-07:00

Here is a short description of our next expedition:

In Mai 2011, 4 of the worlds top acrobatic paragliders along with a specialist photographer and dedicated cinematographer will leave their hometowns across the world and meet for the first time in Pakistan. Horacio Llorens, Hernan Pitocco, Veso Ovcharov & Thomas de Dorlodot will embark on a journey north to the remote Hunza Valley where they intend to break the world altitude record and perform a synchronized acrobatic dance over the Karakorum glaciers testing their teamwork and bodies like never before. During their travel through Pakistan they will embrace the local cultures and be testing each other’s personalities.

Located in the northern territory of Pakistan, the Hunza Valley exposes an amazing, yet treacherous panorama that is only suited to the most committed pilots. It stretches the northern length of the Himalayas and poses an incredible and unique location for the sport. The sheer scale of the mountains create an immense amount of thermal heat which allow the pilots to reach record breaking heights of over 8,000 meters above sea level. We belive that here is no other place in the world these heights can be reached.

The Hunza valley is popularly believed to be the inspiration for the mythical valley of Shangri-la in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon. As one travels up on the Karakoram Highway, the beautiful sceneries keep on revealing themselves. Prior to the early 20th century, the people of the Hunza valley are said to have had an average lifespan of 100. This group of people were highly associated with nature, especially regarding dieting habits and lifestyle. They highly acknowledged the apricot seed, using it as currency. The Hunza valley is frequently referred to as Shangri La, and is also known as "The Valley Where you Live Forever".

I have my plane ticket... :-) for the next adventure...

2011-04-20T01:32:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

Today was a good day, the preparation of the expedition goes well, we are getting ready and preparing all the gears. With one month to go, I feel that everything is going on time. The new harness I will use for XC flight just arrived at my place. I am looking forward to fly it. It is super light and has a great look. Next week the mountain gears will arrive (tents, gloves,...), an also the gliders... I have the visa, the cameras, the oxigen botles...
Our only concern is Veso's visa. It looks super complicated to get. We are doing the best to get it on time.

I will keep you posted soon,

Cheers,

Tom

A long weekend in the Alps. Chamonix.

2011-04-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

After a great time with Peak Performance's team, flying tandem, skiing and enjoying the great weather, I was happy to meet my fiends Richard and Max at the take off of Brévent above Chamonix this saterday. They were obviously coming for the same thing: Fly XC and cover some distance. We started fast and high, headed for Plaine joux and for the Aravis. Then we took the direction of Megeve and back to the Mont Blanc. I was amazed by the glacier. I flew right above it. It remembered me some flights in Pakistan. Then I went to col de Balme where I had my last flight at Red Bull X Alps 2009. So many memories... All together I flew almost 80km. It could have been longer but I was happy to land near my car and share a beer with friends in the city center... :-)
The same evening I went to sleep in the forest near Thones. I know a great spot where I often come to park my car and sleep. Into the wild spirit. Love it... :-)

I almost lost my Iphone while taking those pix...

The Amarok just landed in front of my doorstep...

2011-04-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

It just arrived at my place yesterday... A brand new Amarok by Volkswagen. I believe it is going to be the perfect car to travel the alps, go on training and for my brother to follow me during the race... This car will take me in all my adventures around the world. I am now preparing the bivouac stuffs. Tent on the roof, fridge, etc... For now, I am training every single day... I took my bike for 50km this morning and will run 10 km this evening. Next week I will be in the alps for some mountain training and hopefully some nice flights. If anyone is in Chamonix, contact me. I will be happy to try some serious distance.

Winter training session in Guatemala & Mexico.

2011-03-11T03:55:00.000-08:00

Hi all, I would have enough stories to write an entire book about this trip... I arrived 2 and a half months ago in Valle de Bravo (Mexico) for XC training. I had great weather conditions and flew some distance almost everyday... This place is just amazing and there is a lots of pilots to fly with from all around the world... A lot of fun and a great spirit there. After 2 weeks there and already 35 hours of flight under my belt I decided to go to Tapalpa near Guadalajara. Great valley and strong thermal conditions.. Just as we like it :-). I had the chance to get great weather conditions and I broke the distance record of "la Ceja" take off, flying 120km de very first day I was there... That is what I called "being at the right place at the right moment" except that later I landed near a town well know to be the "base camp" of the "Familia", the most violent gang of Mexico. I had to hide in a truck to get out of town and to make it back at La Ceja where everyone was pretty worried for me.. Those 4 weeks, were great to get back under my wing. I am super happy about my glider, it is a great compromise for the Red Bull X Alps. I am looking forward for the super light version of that Avax XC3. Later my friend Horacio Llorens joined me and we started to fly acro as much as we could. It is not the exact Red Bull X Alps training but it surely gives me more confidence to fly in very harsh conditions. We practiced som roll over from a bridge (I might use that this summer if I do not have other take off options...haha..), B.A.S.E, and flew paramotor above the ruins of Tikal. We had a great time and did a lot of flying. I am now going back to the flatlands of Belgium to get more involved into the physical preparation. I will post some films and more pix as soon as I have done some computer work. :-) Blue skies and soft landings, Tom.

Selected for Red Bull X Alps 2011.

2010-11-18T02:12:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
I am very happy to tell you that my brother and I are selected to represent Belgium at the next Red Bull X Alps... I am taking part for the third time. Let's see what happens.
More info on www.redbullxalps.com

Flying in the dunes of Pakistan

2010-10-18T03:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a short film of us having a relax flight in the dunes of Pakistan...

Enjoy, Blue skies & soft landings.

Tom.

52 days in search of a world record in the Karakoram.

2010-09-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

I am just back from a 52 days expedition with the Spanish National TV in the high mountains of Pakistan. The idea was to try to break the paramotor altitude world record and to intend a long bivouac flight across the Karakoram. As you know, the weather in Pakistan has been horrible in the late 2 months. Sadly, there is now around 15.000.000 homeless people in the south of the country. People here are really having a hard time.
We spent most of the time in our tents at base camp waiting for good flying conditions. Snow, rain, more snow...
Finaly, we had the chance to enter the Concordia glacier flying at more than 7000 meters high. The view Ramon and I got to see there was probably the most beautifull thing we have seen in our life... and the flights we have done were certainely the most engaged ones we have ever done.
We are now preparing a full article that will be published in Paramotor Magazine soon.
Stay tune.
Blue skies and soft landings.
The pics of me or my glider were taken by Ramon Morillas, Sebastian Alvaro and Pati Trepando. THX to them.
tom.

Black Light Expedition in Peru

2010-06-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

Everything has an end…even this expedition. Today we leave Huaraz for Lima and back home to Europe.

We are all happy and satisfied with all the things we have done. In the end we did more than we have hoped for - 4 summits in 3 weeks, 18 000 vertical meters ;)

Marco - he took all the photos, without hi

s mountain knowledge you would never seen photos from the angle his been taken. He also makes everybody laugh and got a passion for passion fruits.

Giorgio - The great mountaineer that cl

imbs mountains to get connection so he can speak to his family. None of us didn’t know that he was such a great dancer :)

Eva - The perfect partner for climbing on rocks or ice. Just like she did when she was leading the team to the summit of Alpamayo.

Tom - From the beginning he starts out as a paraglider pilot and ends as an alpinist. All the team envied him to his fast descents.

Jenny - The sunshine smile with one side that’s soft and gentle, but when it comes to the real thing she is rock hard. She even think of the porters skin protection, even though they have been doing this for all their lifes.

Jacopo - The planer of this expedition and the best team leader you can ever have. Jacopo have great confidence in the mountains and always good spirit that he gladly share with everyone. “The chef” that made homemade pasta for everyone at Zarela’s and couldn’t help that he needed to help our porters/chefs to cook on our trip to

Alpamayo.

Last but not least - thank’s to Zarela that helped us with all the logistics in place.

Juan and Toyno our new friends that carried our stuff that we didn’t manage and made us eat gourmet in the mountains.

Until next time….big hugs from the Black Light Team a

nd tanks that you have been following us….

"The Elements", the making off.

2010-04-05T03:52:00.001-07:00

What a great time... I am just back from Marocco. We really had a blast. The movie director Dimitri Van Zeebroeck came with lots of cameras and his assistant Olivier Vanashen to shoot some nice footage. The idea is to make an intimistic portrait about the way I live our beautifull sport trough the element "air"... We have been travelling around with a rented car. From Aguergour to the big Tubkal (highest summit in north africa, 4200m) that we climbed. We also went to Legzira, to the "nid d'aigle", ... This country is a paradise for pilots who want to get away from europe and have some good fly time. Only 3 hours plane and you enter a very different world, a beautifull culture and some amazing landscape.
Here is a small sequence that will appear in the movie that will be produce by Canvas TV. Thanks to Felix Wolk and Cedric de Bruyn for their help and smile...
Photo: Felix Woelk, Cedric de Bruyn.
Stay tune,
Blue skies & soft landings.
tom.

Visit to Gradient in Praha.

2010-03-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

I just came back from Praha where I went to visit my friend Ondrej Dupal and his team.
Ondrej showed me around the factory and explained to me all the aspects of developing a new paraglider. I was amazed by the work it represents. A work of precision, research and development. The team is very nice and the spirit there is great. They are right next to Praha, so we could enjoy some good Czech beers in the center later in the evening. We talked about all the future projects we will work on together. The list of all the projects is long, but we are looking forward to get everything ready to make all those adventures posible with the best gears available on the market. First trip will be a climbing expedition in Péru with a Montana... For now, I came back with my brand new Aspen Freestyle 20 for some acro action.I will tell you more soon.

Blue skies and soft landings, tom

Training sessions in the Himalayas...

2010-02-04T01:42:00.000-08:00

I am just back from a two month trip in the Himalayas. I landed in India were I stayed one month flying around Bir and Dharamsala, trekking and spending a lot of time in the mountains. We rented a few Royal Enfield to moove around and were traveling with the gliders for around 3000 km in the region (Himachal Pradej). We discovered some new spots never flew before along the road. The country and its people are just amazingly beautifull. Long flights with eagles, acro,... Then my friends went back to Belgium for christmas and I went to the famous Pokhara in Nepal. I met the "big ears acro team" who rented a van called the "Acro Van" to fly as much as posible... I joined the team and had 6 flights a day above water for 30 days... We had a boat in the lake just in case. We were pushing pretty hard. Lots of new tricks, D-Bag,... I had a blast. I really want to get more involved in the acro scene now. A short film will follow soon.

40 days in Pakistan in search of Altitudes World Records.

2009-10-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

We are now back to Europe after more than a month flying in the high mountains of karakorum. We had great conditions and made many flights. We stayed at base camp at 4000 m for days waiting for good conditions to intend high altitude flights. Ramon went up to around 7800 m next to the Masherbrun and holds the new paramotor altitude world record. I flew at 6711 m with paramotor and at 6625 m on paragliding without oxigen with my Gradient Avax XC2. This altitude is 2100 m higher than the Altitude World record holded by Robbie Whittall (4526 m)... This flight was very scary because we didn't take oxygen and I suffered the effects of strong hypoxia. I could not see anything... Acording to the GPS track, I went up from 3600 m to 6625 m in 11 min in a very strong thermal. It was a pretty bad feeling to be almost blind and flying in between 7000 meter high mountain peaks. Hopefully, everyone came back in one piece. We have been flying super close to huge glacier and into snowing clouds taking off from roads or from tiny fields and in very cold temperature close to -35°. The material was still perfectly working in those harsh conditions and we where both amazed to ear the sound of our great HE motors at those altitude where the lack of oxigen can kill a man in a very short time.

We made tons of pictures and videos. Sebastian Alvaro from "Al filo de lo imposible" and director of the documentary is really happy, we have great material for the movie.

Beside the flying part, we met great peoples and had a amazing time, sleeping in tents in the snow, waiting for good weather, practicing ice climbing on the glacier and meeting the locals. Soon some more information will appear in Paramotor Magazine and in Aerial soon. Cheers.

Expedition Nanga Parbat (8125m). Himalaya.

2009-08-17T03:50:00.000-07:00

One year ago Ramon Morilas asked me if I wanted to join him in is project in Pakistan to intend to fly above the famous Nanga Parbat(8125m). I did not take long to say yes... Since then we have been preparing a prototype of the HE R220 to be able to fly at those altitudes. We have made tons of flights in the Sierra Nevada, flying in strong thermals, very cold weather and strong wind conditions. I have been learning a lot on Ramon's side and now we are both ready to go and give it a try.

Here is what is going to happen in Pakistan :
It is probably the most ambitious projects I am taking part in sinds I started to fly 8 years ago. It would also probably be one of the most important project of those years in the paragliding and paramotoring scene.
We are leaving august 25th for Pakistan. We will go to the base camp of the Nanga Parbat (8125m) so called the »killer mountain » with a TV crew of the spanish national television (TVE) and the well known TV presentator Sebastian Alvaro. We will have to hike during 4 days to reach the base camp then we will stay at least 3 weeks at 4100 m to get used to the lack of oxygene and to prepare the material. The goal is to be the first pilots to fly above a 8000 m peak and to break the altitude world record. The all adventure will be followed by the TV crew in order to make a full documentary about our adventure and to bring it into the mainstream press all around the world. It is now been one year we are preparing with our sponsors for this projects and I am really looking forward to be in Pakistan. My job there is to make aerial footage and to intend to follow Ramon as high as I can. I am looking forward to see where are my limits and how high I can get. We will be living for one month in one of the most remote place of the world, flying paramotor and paraglider, sleeping in tents,... I cannot wait to get there.

I will soon give you the adress of the blog I am working on. Stay tune. tom.

Acrobatics 09.

2009-08-11T05:36:00.000-07:00

Here is a small movie made with some images of Ramon and I having fun in some of the places we visited this year. Sweden, Flypa, the Sierra Nevada... enjoy.
tom.

Red Bull X Alps 09.

2009-08-05T08:17:00.001-07:00

I'm still recovering from the race at the time I'm writting this message... Indeed this edition was very hard. A lot of walking, very litle sleep, always on the edge... but what a great time we had.

The race started very fast from Salzburg with around 90 km under the belt a the end of the first day. We were running most of the day wich was a big mistake. On the next day, many pilots could already feel some pain because of pushing to much. We all had huge training cessions before the race but running down hill was a mistake. The second day I could already feel strong pain in my left knee and at the end of the day I couldn't walk anymore. I felt miserable, so much training to finish like that... Finaly I decided to take it easy for the next days to try to recover as fast as posible. It lasted 3 long days. Walking was painfull but I kept on going as I could, not being able to bend my leg. Then, one morning, the pain stoped. I still had some reserve because I was not pushing hard on the last days. I had a second start. We traveled a lot with the french team. It was good to share good times and bad times with Julien Wirtz, we are much stronger together. Good flying was not hapening so we kept on going, putting one foot in front of the other days after days. Together, we made it back from 24th to 11th. Then, a new competition started into the competition. The fight for the 10th position. We finaly had a good flight from the Furka pass. I flew almost all the way to Zermatt, leaving Andy Froetscher and Julien Wirtz 30 km behind. Then came the longest day of the race... 29 hours followed closely by Julien and trying to catch Ramon. In 29 hours I walked around 120km with my bagpack. I slept one hour when a caught Ramon then we kept on going because Julien was getting closer. We finaly had a last flight from "col de balme" where my friend Pal Takats took off 2 hours earlier. I lost myself in the mountain there and Ramon took advantage of it. After landing I started to run and managed to keep my 10th place till the end. Julien was 7km in my back but called me to say that he wasn't going to run after me. In one hour he couldn't close the gap. I arrived in Chamonix right next to the mont blanc. The scenery was amazing, I couldn't move anymore. I had reached the limits of my body.
It was great to do the race with Max. He did an amazing job. It would have been imposible to achieve anything without him and his experience by my side.

Even if I promissed myself never to do it again, I already know that I'll be back in 2011... Now I'm trying to get back to a normal live but I still wake up after 3 hours of sleep or when the sun comes out thinking that I have to keep walking... It was a great experience to deal with so much pain, frustration and joy... I love it...

blue skies and soft landings.
Tom.

El Yelmo Festival. Winner of the Mountain race...

2009-07-06T05:58:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from "El Yelmo" in Spain. What a great time we had there. I was going there to participate at the "pure freestyle" on paramotor but I came back as the winner of the moutain race... I won the first price: a brand new SKY paraglider.
How did that happened ?
: 25 pilots took the start for a 11km race to the take off of "el yelmo". Arrived there we had to take off and make a turning point(flying or walking) before to land next to the festival. I was running almost the all time following my X Alper friend Pal Takats and followed by Ramon Morillas. I was third to take off but my flying strategy paid... Indeed, to cary less weight as possible I took my small acro glider (Gradient Aspen 2 Freestyle) knowing that the flying distance was not long and that my glider has a great glide anyway...and that was a good call. I past Pal flying and Dany (who was going first but landed after a short flight) made the turning point and managed to land at 100m from the goal and then run into the gate. Ramon arrived second and Pal third. It was great to have the 3 X Alps pilot at the goal. We realised that the training for the X Alps has paid. Having the best material helped too, my Sup'Air Altirando XP with an Xtra lite rescue are super lite and very comfortable to run and fly with. I realised that every details count and I'm now looking forward for the Red Bull X Alps to start...

In the evening we had the "Pure Freestyle"competition. It was nice to compete against three world champions: Mathieu Rouannet (who was amazing by the way), Raoul Rodriguez And Ramon Morillas. Mathieu had a great run and deserved his first place followed by Raoul who intended helicopter made a full stall and Sat. Ramon was third after a nice run and some beautifull Sats and loopings. I arrived late and without a lot of altitude but I managed to do my tricks and finished fifth after entering a clean Tumbling. It feels weird with a paramotor on your back but it works. It had been two weeks I was working on really high dynamic Sats and stuff. I'll keep training... And push the limits... Stay tune...
Fly Safe. tom.

Discovering the Red Bull X Alps 09's route on paramotor.

2009-06-24T01:07:00.001-07:00

What a great trip... We were talking about it for a long time, we finaly made it. Ramon Morillas and I flew the main parts of the Red Bull X Alps route on paramotor. We left Salzburg for a 10 days trip trough the Alps. We first took off at the top of the Gaisberg, the first turning point. We flew all the way to Zel am See passing by the second turning point, the Watzmann. I was impressed by the difficulty of this part. We took loads of pictures to be able to analyse the shortest way to cross those mountain passes. The same day we took off again in the afternoon and flew around the great Grossglockner, the turning point 3. We had to climb at around 4200 m high to have an overview. It was freezing cold but it was amazing to be there. We are probably the very first pilot to fly above this peak. At the end of the day we landed just at the entrance of the dolomites. We had a good night rest and then took off early in the morning to cross the dolomites... We flew around the Marmolada, turning point 4, checking all the different options. Now we have it super clear, etheir we have to fly or walk trough the mountains... Then we went to Zermat to check the Matterhorn but it was too windy. We met a local pilot who explained us how to deal with this tricky part of the route. Very interesting, thanks to him. Now we are training in the Alps, climbing mountains and taking informations... stay tune. Blue skies,
tom.

Santander's natural parc... Red Bull demo.

2009-06-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

Great time in Santander with the Red Bull team "SDR de Pedrena". The weather was pretty bad the first day for the "regata" but I could fly the next day and perform an acro show. The regata is a religion down here in cantabria. An important public was there to support the teams. It was amazing to see the athletes, they are training super hard. They gave me a few good advises for the preparation of the Red Bull X Alps. I was able to make a few pics of the parc where I was making my demo. It felt like africa... Very impressed by the elephants and the tigers from above...

PPG meeting in Sweden.

2009-05-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

It was my first time in Sweden and what a great time! We arrived in Stockholm friday where our friend H&E dealer Tomas came to get us. We went straight to the meeting at one hour drive. As expected, nature around here is beautifull... And guess what, you can fly almost 20 hours a day.. as the sun never gets far away at this time of the year. It is still pretty cold up there. (it feels like early spring in Belgium.) Coming straight from spain, I was not expecting that, It was fun to go back to the cold for a few days.
Lots of lake, lots of forest, and many red houses. As the country is huge and you have a lot of day time, it would be the place to intend a paramotor distance world record... Maybe next year...
The meeting was really well organised, a skydiver team came around and many people where flying paramotors. You can tell that they have long winter here : they all make their own trike themself...very well made by the way. I was impressed. I even saw a new prototype that you can drop while flying if you have to land on your feet. Very well made. Congratulations.
The weather was good so I got to train my tricks with my Gradient acro glider. I have the dynamic Sat under control and I'm now working on the rythmic. As acro is usualy prohibited in Sweden, the organisation received a special autorisation from the federation. I enjoyed it as much as possible...
We didn't have much time to see Stockholm but what we have seen was beautifull. It is now on my top 5 cities... I cannot wait to come back next year.

Thanks to Max, Tomas, Frederik for their help filming an making pictures. And many thanks to the great organisation. Blue skies and soft landings. tom

FLYPA 09

2009-05-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

I was invited to the Flypa festival last week. The weather wasn't at his best (grey sky) but we still had a lot of fun performing aerobatics with the paramotors. I just love to go to play with the waves and touch the water with my feet... (always with a life jacket on and lifeguards around).

3 Red Bull X Alps pilots were there : Ramon, Pal and myself. We talked a bit about our experience, strategy and training and planned some time in the alps to get to know the road better all together.

I didn't train a lot during this week, let's say it was our vacation for 6 days... but I was flying 4 hours a day... I got to know my brand new glider. It didn't take long to get use to fly such a small size on paramotor (19m). Now I wouldn't switch to a bigger one.. so fun... It goes very fast and dynamic (130 KG all together...). Sat enters with very litle brake. We had a blast, thanks to the perfect organisation.

I'll soon edit a small movie about Flypa 09. stay tune...

Blue skies and soft landings,

Tom.

Press conference @ Peak Performance.

2009-05-12T10:10:00.000-07:00

My suporter Max and I gave a press conference in Belgium to make some noise about our next adventure... We were at Peak Performance's place in Antwerpen. Me made a all presentation of the Red Bull X Alps race to the press, how we prepare, how we train, material, etc...
They were amazed and really interested about the challenge. We'll even make a TV documentary with "Plug TV" about paragliding and our team at the Red Bull X Alps. We showed pictures and films of the last edition, everyone enjoyed it.

We talked a bit about the folowing project too(september)... Ramon and I plan to go to Himalaya, Pakistan for 40 days with a tv crew to intend to fly paramotor above the famous Nanga Parbat (so called the killer mountain: 8125m) and break the altitude world record... Stay tune for more info coming soon...

Red Bull X Alps

2009-04-12T03:17:00.000-07:00

The start of the race is getting close... Here is the trailer to give you an idea about what my supporter Max and me are going to be up to this summer. Enjoy, and go sign our guestbook at www.redbullxalps.com . Cheers, soft landings.

Encontro Paramotor Algarve, Portugal.

2009-03-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

I just came back from a Paramotor festival in Algarve where I was performing acro with my HE R120. It was great to be there, we met very nice people,we discovered an amazing place and we got the chance to fly the all weekend... My brother Gatien was there to record, make pictures and enjoy the festival. Here is a small acro movie made in Portugal :

Red Bull X Alps 2009... We are back...

2009-02-06T09:24:00.000-08:00

The Belgium team will be back at the famous Red Bull X Alps this summer. After two years waiting for it, it is finaly getting close...
In the 2007's edition I had to get out of the race after a pretty bad accident. I crashed while flying too close to the ground in rugh conditions. As a result I broke my wrist. At that point I was at the 10th position and of course really sad to end this amazing adventure.

Sinds then, I improved my flying a lot here in Granada and I'm training hard physically to keep in a good shape. You know the saying: "First time you do it, it's to prepare for the second time..." With this year's selection, you better be prepared... Some of the best pilots in the world will be there. Let's see what happens... My supporter this year will be Max Van Dyk. See you guys at the start.

PPG trip in Mali

2009-01-27T00:34:00.000-08:00

What an amazing trip... I just came back from Mali where I was traveling with friends, making pics and teaching how to fly paramotor. We went from the beautifull "pays Dogon" to the amazing city of Djene passing by Fatima's hand.
Beside flying, we took 3 days to kayak down 145 km of the niger from the Guinea border to Bamako. Amazing time, sleeping in fishermen's house, sharing true moments and enjoying adventure.

Bxl Istanbul PPG trip...

2009-01-26T06:27:00.000-08:00

We made it...
A paramotoring trip from Brussels to Istanbul in total autonomy trough 10 countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Grece, Turkey.) 22 days, 3000 km.
2 pilots: Maxime Van Dyk, Thomas de Dorlodot

We flew the all distance with our H&E R120 and guess what... 70 hours each without a single problem, using all type of nasty oil (what we could get on the way...) H&E rocks.
The gliders where the Gradient Aspen 2 with trims. (24m) You can read all the articles in the "press release section".

Go to www.bxlistanbul.be

FLYPA 08...

2009-01-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

FLYPA 08 was an amazing show, I can't wait to be at the 09 edition. It was nice to perform acro above the sea with the DRACO team before landing at the beach. The weather was great. I keep lots of good memories exept the smoking bottle that exploded and started to burn my feet while I was flying... let me tell you.. It hurts... Beside that, I had the chance to be at the right place at the right time and made a pictures of a friend jumping of a paragider. That photography won the second award at the Flypa photography contest.
Anyway, this year, beside training for the Red Bull X Alps 09 and other project, we'll be training our acro show for FLYPA 09.

Machu Picchu...

2009-01-23T06:11:00.000-08:00

Machu Picchu…

Un vol mythique fortement déconseillé…
12/01/08 : Il est 17h, je viens de sortir de prison. Les policiers péruviens se réunissent autour de moi pour une dernière photo de groupe. On me rend mon aile et mon appareil photo. Je suis pieds nus et trempé, mais je suis libre.
Certains me serrent la main avec admiration… J’affiche un grand sourire, je ne le cache pas : je suis assez fier de moi...

Voici l’histoire d’un vol mythique fortement déconseillé :

Je suis arrivé au Pérou, il y a trois semaines et l’idée de voler du Machu Picchu m’habite depuis le premier jour. Me voilà enfin au pied de la montagne sacrée, armé d’une sellette légère (Altirando,SUP’AIR) et de mon aile accro GRADIENT ( Aspen 2 freestyle.) Le tout fait 6 kilo. Je n’emporte pas de casque et pas de parachute de secours. Trop encombrant et peu discret.
Après trois heures d ascension qui me rappellent le Red Bull X-Alps (où je représentais la Belgique en 2007 avec Loïc Cardon) j’arrive à l entrée du parc avec mes complices. Cela s’annonce plutôt mal, il est formellement interdit d’entrer dans la cité avec un sac à dos. Je décide donc de me faire passer pour un photographe professionnel muni de son matériel et j’obtiens une autorisation exceptionnelle…Je suis à l’intérieur du site depuis 5 minutes et déjà les gardes m’interrogent sur le contenu de mon sac. Je réponds de manière évasive et comprends vite qu’il ne faut pas s’attarder. Je m’enfonce dans la jungle en bordure du site pendant que mes complices, Edouard, Charles et Owen cherchent un décollage praticable. Je prépare rapidement mon aile entre les arbres et les lianes.
Mon coeur bat à du 100 à l‘heure. Le décollage m’attend, il faut faire vite. Il s’agit d’ une terrasse juste assez large pour ouvrir une aile et qui termine sur une falaise surplombant la jungle. Il n’y a pas de vent, c’est parfait. La voie est libre, pas même un garde en vue. Je sors de la jungle en courant avec mon aile en corolle sur le dos. Édouard et Owen ouvrent la voile. L‘aile se gonfle sans difficulté et trois secondes plus tard, je suis en vol.
Un cri de joie s’échappe, ça y est, je survole le Machu Picchu . Les flashs des touristes clignotent, je me sens en vie… D’ici je peux voir les gardes fondrent sur mes complices. Bonne chance les gars.
Le vol est assez court et déjà il faut penser à l’atterrissage.Une plage de cailloux au milieu de la rivière devrait faire l’affaire. J’atterris entre les rochers et déjà j’entends des aboiements résonner dans la vallée. Ils n’ont pas traîné. Il est temps de disparaître. Alors que je traverse la rivière avec mon sac en équilibre sur ma tête, arrivent trois gardes armés de machettes et suivis d un chien pas commode. Ok, je me rends : « tranquilos amigos … »
Je leur dis de se calmer, sans quoi je resterais au milieu du rio. L’eau m’arrive à la taille et visiblement ils n’ont pas envie de se mouiller. Tout le monde finit par se calmer et je monte sur la berge. Ils m’arrachent mon sac violement et m’ordonnent sèchement de m’asseoir en attendant la police. Vingt minutes plus tard, je marche sur la voie de chemin de fer qui mène au village escorté de deux policiers en uniforme. Je suis trempé, je crève de faim et pour ne rien arranger, je suis menotté… Cette marche d’une heure jusqu au village tombe à pic. J’ai le temps d’organiser un plan, de construire dans ma tête une histoire qui va leur plaire. Mais surtout, j’essaye de sympathiser avec mes deux nouveaux amis. Fatigués de marcher, ils décident d’arrêter un train en marche. Nous montons tous les trois et quelques minutes plus tard nous arrivons aux portes du commissariat.
Le commissaire en place prend l’histoire très au sérieux. Le responsable de la sécurité du parc, pour sa part, me glisse dans l’oreille: « je vais en faire une affaire personnelle ». Apparemment cette aventure ne fait rire personne sauf moi. Ils me lisent froidement mes droits, et désignent un policier bourru pour me surveiller.
Le commissaire me demande discrètement combien vaut le matériel, la négociation va probablement commencer. La corruption est monnaie courante ici.
C’est alors qu’après trois heures de palabres sans résultats à propos d’une éventuelle amende ou d’une peine de prison ils se prennent de curiosité pour le matériel. L’aile est ouverte au sol et je montre au commissaire comment se placer dans la sellette. Ils s’excitent comme des gosses et déjà je peux voir qu’ils s’imaginent en vol. Dans le fond de mon sac, ils trouvent ma veste peak performance aux couleurs du Red Bull X-Alps. Vu l’intérêt qu’ils manifestent pour la veste, je comprends vite que je tiens là une porte de sortie. Je ne vais pas la laisser passer. 10 minutes plus tard, tous les policiers du village s’affairent autour de l’ordinateur du commissaire connecté au site www.redbullxalps.com . Ils passent ma photo en revue ainsi que tous les films mis en ligne. Toujours enfermé, je peux entendre la bande-annonce du Red Bull X-Alps tourner en boucle. J’ai du mal à ravaler mon sourire lorsque je les entends réagir en choeur : « waaaaw, hoooo… » devant les images aériennes des alpes enneigées et les prouesses des athlètes . Toute cette histoire devient surréaliste.
Une heure plus tard, le commissaire vient me libérer. Le prestige de Red Bull et du Red Bull X-Alps ont changé leur regard sur moi et mon aventure. Je n y crois pas…
Je les entends parler de parapente, de la violente fermeture de Martin Muller et de la neige recouvrant l’Eiger. Certains se vantent même d’avoir déjà bu du Red Bull, c’est incroyable.
Visiblement tout le monde se prépare pour une photo de groupe, le commissaire se place au centre, il porte ma veste…

12/01/08 : Il est 17h, je viens de sortir de prison…

Escape tv

2009-01-02T01:55:00.000-08:00

Here is an interview made by Raphael Charlier for escape tv. www.vwescape.tv
It was right after the Red Bull x Alps 07 while I was recovering from my accident.

Press releases:

2009-01-01T12:57:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the press release.