Instruction
MEET THE PARAGLIDING INSTRUCTORS
JOHANNES RATH
Paragliding Instructor / Tandem Pilot
Johannes plays many stringed instruments but his favorite might be the paraglider. He’s been paragliding since 2006 and has worked as a professional instructor and tandem pilot in Boulder, Colorado and Queenstown, New Zealand.
Johannes’ calm yet direct teaching style helps students relate and focus on mastering good technique. Johannes considers paragliding a peaceful martial art; an expression of the beauty and power of nature.
Paragliding has been Johannes’ full-time passion since his very first flight with master instructor and mentor, Bill Laurence. Whether a 6-second flight from the training hill in Colorado, or a 6-hour flight in Australia, that same level of wonder and joy fuels his love for the sport.
Johannes has flown throughout the US, as well as Australia, Bali, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand and Nepal. In 2018, Johannes placed 2nd in the recreational class at the Monarca Paragliding Open in Valle de Bravo Mexico. Johannes and Boulder Free Flight were featured in a documentary series on French TV!
Reilly Cooper
Paragliding Instructor/ Tandem Pilot
A lifelong passion of playing in the mountains led Reilly to first discover Paragliding upon moving from Blue Ridge mountains he called home to the epic playground that is Colorado. Reilly's prior experience of high level flow sports and mental strength translates over to the paragliding world incredibly well and is reflected in his understanding of energy management in the glider as well as just an deep passion and appreciation for what the world of paragliding has to offer. With community growth being one of Reilly's larger focal points he approaches the world of free flight with open arms looking to inspire and embrace those around him.
ARIANN TUDOR
Paragliding Instructor Apprentice
Ariann’s first time learning about paragliding was through her 12 + time hang gliding World Record holder father, Larry Tudor. They learned how to paraglide together in Salt Lake City and have since made Boulder their home flying site. 2020 being her breakout year in the sport, pulling off multiple 100 mile flights, as well as her new personal best of 176 miles.
Her experience with instruction has stemmed from a wealth of knowledge she brought from her Olympic level figure skating career and now, 10 year coaching career. After 5 years of consistently paragliding 250+ hours a year, instruction felt like the next step in understanding the sport in a deeper and complex way. She strives to learn how to explain the abstract and technical concepts of paragliding to make you a highly competent and skillful pilot. By applying this mindset of self improvement to all parts of her paragliding, she believes not only she’s becoming a better pilot herself, but she gets to encourage this mindset with all pilots who learn with Johannes Rath and Boulder Free Flight.
JOSHUA G.
Tandem Paragliding Instructor
Joshua is a 5 generation Coloradian who flys commercial tandems for Boulder Free flight. Based out of Brisbane Australia in the winters and Boulder Colorado through the summers, Joshua owns an aviation business (skydance.com.au) in Brisbane and flys most things that fly.
Having flown Paragliders in Colorado for over 14 years Joshua is a seasoned paragliding pilot and loves sharing the magic of flight with his passengers! He spends his spare time Climbing, BASE Jumping, Speedflying, Hiking, and flying as a commercial fixed-wing pilot. His adventures usually involve crossing and combining disciplines in some of the most beautiful places in the world so feel free to read about some of his travels around the world at HikeClimbFly.com