Monte Baldo – Lake Garda, Italy

MY MOMENT

My first SIV: passion above a peaceful lake.

Monte Baldo and Lake Garda in Italy hold the memory of my first SIV safety training. I worked through many exercises and learned and practised manoeuvres including wingovers and SATs. Each attempt taught me something about my wing and myself.

After take-off, the wide lake seemed to merge with the sky. From a distance, everything looked peaceful. Under the wing, I felt freedom, passion and the thrill and intensity of freestyle flying.

That contrast is how I remember this place: the water was still, while my mind was exploring. Nervousness and excitement came together in those first training flights and showed me how much more there was to discover.