Flying with an expert!

We are big fans of extreme sports and we always seek for adventure! This time we had the idea to try paragliding off the snowy slopes of Poiana Brasov.
We met the correct man, a “crazy” paragliding professional and instructor, since 2000, Marius Duta.

Marius started skydiving in 1992 when he was only 16 years old and now counts more than 1400 jumps. He also started paragliding in 1993 and now has more than 8000 flights!!! Marius actually spends more time midair than on the ground! To find him, just look for the man with a parachute or a pair of wings attached to his back! It is interesting to note that Marius actually got into extreme sports by chance, after accompanying a friend on a jump; he was only sixteen when he got the bug.

In 25 March 2006 Marius did a World paragliding hot balloon record jump from the Stratosphere, from a height of 10761m. Today Marius has a paragliding school, ECO-S paragliding, and he travels all around the world throughout the year to go jumping and flying!

Marius took care of all the safety procedures and gave us a very informative briefing. We then took the lifts to go up the slope. It was a ski centre not in use anymore for skiers; it’s only used for paragliding. The mountain we jumped off from was Bunloc. When weather conditions are not advantageous in the winter, they also fly from another place called Postovarul.

It is important to note that Marius is a fully licensed instructor. This involves passing rigorous written, practical and medical exams. We would not trust our lives, and we suggest that you don’t, in the hands of someone who is incompetent or does not possess such a license.
The moment I sat on my lift chair I started to stress out and think that maybe I should go back. Even though I knew that I was going to do this I just wanted to moan and once again and act like a cry baby! John was nervous as well; he was looking at me and wondering why we have to go through this ‘fear punishment’.

When we reached the top of the slope we had to set our parachutes with the help of Marius and his colleague. All I have to say is that it was an AMAZING experience!
Really looking forward to try skydiving as well very soon and hopefully with Marius again!

 

Tips/recommendations

•  http://www.parapanta.com/en/
•  Contact Marius semnal_ecos@yahoo.comskype:acrog-forcetel: +40 723 333 193
•  Do wear very warm clothes and have ear muffins and gloves. It is very cold up there!
• Always listen to the briefing and to what you are being told e.g. never try to put your legs down while landing!
• For accommodation in Poiana Brasov, we recommend www.untravelledpaths.com to arrange everything for you