The company’s big break came in 2007, when another
close friend of Cardozo’s – British adventurer Bear Grylls
– flew a Parajet paramotor over Mount Everest. That
televised, record-breaking stunt meant sales soared
from 30 units a year to more than 400 and the sport
moved into the mainstream bracket.
Since then, paramotoring schools have popped up
across the globe and with them the introduction of
competitions. What’s more, customised paramotors
are now being used to aid security and patrol borders,
conduct search and rescue – even helping conservation
groups catch poachers in Africa. It seems this new craze
is proving to be more than just a
bit of fun.
And fun it certainly is. From
my perch 1,525m above the
ground, the sky has never
looked more inviting: a clear,
pastel blue with little puffs of
brilliant white cloud. What’s
more, I don’t feel the slightest bit scared. The harness
provides such a secure, comfortable seat, it’s near
impossible not to just sit back, relax and enjoy the view.
The experience ends all too soon and we land gently
back in the same field we took off from, next to an
excited Cardozo who’s desperate to know if I’ve enjoyed
myself. Upon confirmation, he grins: “I know I’ll never
tire of it.” And, with a rushed goodbye, he begins to run
and jets back off into the sky like a superhero.
parajet.com
PHOTO
PHIL GALE/ PARAJET
0 3 7
R E G U L A R S
01
02
03
SKY’S THE LIMIT
01
The equipment
resembles a giant fan
02
Soaring 150m above
the ground
03
Whatever happens,
don’t stop running
“Frommy perch 1,525m
above the ground, the sky has
never looked more inviting:
a clear, pastel blue with little
puffs of brilliant white cloud”
