Words By Athlete Manager, Landon McGauley
Being a wheelchair user in North America comes with certain privileges that are easy to take for granted. Thanks to ADA laws, wheelchair users have access to streets, sidewalks, and businesses, along with essential features like curb cutouts and automatic doors. These conveniences make everyday life more accessible. However, in many parts of the world, strict disability access laws are not in place, making day-to-day living more challenging and requiring a bit more planning.
This year, Colombia—where accessibility is not as developed as in North America—hosted the first-ever Adaptive Paragliding World Cup. But that didn’t stop a determined group of adaptive paragliders from traveling from all over the world to take part, enjoying summer in the Southern most part of the northern Hemisphere while soaring above the stunning Colombian landscape.
High Fives athletes Joe Stone and Brendan Doyle were among the North American competitors. Both are experienced veterans of the sport, and both sustained life-changing injuries in flying-based activities. Competing in an event so deeply connected to their passion—and to the very thing that altered their lives—made the experience even more meaningful.
“The Adaptive Paragliding gathering in Piedechinche, Colombia, is one of a kind—nothing else brings adaptive paragliders together like this. For many of us who have been flying for years, it has often felt like a solo journey. But here, we’re reminded that this is more than just a sport—it’s a movement and a community. Sharing knowledge, learning from each other, and mentoring newcomers makes this gathering something truly special.”
High Fives Athlete Joe Stone
The event, organized by Wheels for Flying, was a huge success, with multiple athletes competing. The weather conditions provided the perfect stage for pilots to showcase their skills, soaring thousands of feet in the air. In the end, California native Brendan Doyle claimed first place, while Wyoming-based Joe Stone rounded out the podium with a strong third-place finish.
“It felt incredible to win the competition. I love flying, and it was rewarding to see that my consistency and passion for the sport have paid off. It was also a relief when the competition ended. During the event, I noticed it shifted the dynamic in my head, and I’m not sure how much I liked that. Going from flying with friends to competing against them felt a bit strange for me. But overall, it was great fun, and I’m excited to see this sport continue to grow.”
High Fives Athlete Brendan Doyle
While the competition was the main draw, it wasn’t the only reason athletes stuck around. After the event, many pilots traded their competitive mindsets for a more relaxed experience, mentoring new flyers and sharing the skies in a true display of camaraderie.
I was lucky enough to arrive just after the contest and get hands-on instruction from both Brendan and Joe—two incredibly knowledgeable and skilled teachers. For the next three weeks, our days followed a simple but incredible rhythm, with slight variations due to weather and other factors: Wake up in the morning, get to the top of the mountain, and fly.
Paralympic medalist Caleb Brousseau and I were by far the newest pilots, but we learned an incredible amount from the experienced athletes who stayed behind to guide us. The combination of adventure, mentorship, and pure joy made for an unforgettable experience.
While the dust may have settled now on the Colombia contest and flying experience I can say for certainty that it will only come back stronger and with more adaptive pilots to share the experience with. The culture, the kindness of the people, the camaraderie between athletes made this trip something incredibly special.
A huge shout out, hug and high-five goes out to Lucio and Lisa at wheels for flying for putting together this amazing event!
