Episode 157- Jonny Durand: riding Tsunamis, chasing records, comps and learning

Jonny Durand is a long-time Red Bull sponsored hang gliding pilot who’s been ranked #1 in the world multiple times. We’ve all seen the incredible footage of Jonny flying the “tsunami” morning glory phenomenon that sets up in Northern Australia, but Jonny has been chasing the sky crack in many different ways since his early days more than 20 years ago. He’s chased the world distance record in Texas and Brazil and came up just shy of the record from Zapata on that fateful day back in 2012 flying with his friend Dustin Martin, who still has the record at 761 km; he competes in race to goal comps regularly around the world, and has recently taken up paragliding. In this fun chat we dig into Jonny’s amazing run over the years; how to pick good lines and feel the air; comp tactics that matter; how to keep up on lower performing wings; how critical eyesight is for successfully flying comps and big distance; being a beginner again on a paraglider; what it’s like being a Red Bull athlete; and of course flying the morning glory. We had a blast with this one. Enjoy. Show Notes: * Jonny discusses the differences between flying hang gliders and paragliders * Superman doesn’t fly sitting down! * Being a beginner again * Comp tactics- know your opponent and watch EVERYTHING * The ultimate freedom * Dad learns in the Owens * Flying a world cup on a paraglider with 5 hours * Flying his first comps * Chasing opportunity and having nothing to lose * Moyes Gliders and living the dream * A perfect April fool’s! * Jonny gets the call from Red Bull and goes to Brazil * Being sponsored by Red Bull- obligations and results and keeping your eye on goals * The fun and risks (forest, crocodiles!) of chasing the Morning Glory phenomenon * Chasing the longest flight in the world, and coming up just short * Reliving the day in Texas in 2012 * What’s next? Mentioned in this show: Dustin Martin, Nick Neynens, Felipe Rezende, Jeff Shapiro, Godfrey Wenness, Will Gadd, Mick Fanning, Sebastien Kayrouz