XRedRocks & XLost Idaho · 2026 · Sponsored by Niviuk
Advanced Hike & Fly Workshop
Join elite hike-and-fly pilot and Cloudbase Mayhem host Gavin McClurg and trainer Ben Abruzzo + expert guests for an intensive two-day hike and fly training clinic designed to sharpen your flying judgment, expand your race awareness, and refine your tactical decision-making — set in two of North America’s premier flying arenas.
Your Instructors
Gavin McClurg
Lead Instructor · Flying Strategy & Tactics
Host of the Cloudbase Mayhem podcast and author of Advanced Paragliding. A 4× Red Bull X-Alps competitor and 15 year World Cup pilot, Gavin brings 22+ years of elite XC, expedition bivvy, and hike-and-fly racing experience and thousands of hours flying the world’s most technical mountain terrain — distilled into the curriculum for this workshop.
Ben Abruzzo
Special Guest · Fitness, Durability & Race Prep
Gavin’s longtime trainer and mountain athlete coach. Competed in X-Pyr 2024, several XRedRocks campaigns and the Chablais hike and fly. Ben has trained elite mountain athletes for over two decades and will lead modules on pilot-specific fitness, durability, and physical recovery strategy for race performance as well as ground strategy, navigation, mapping and nutrition.
Special Guests TBA
Elite Athletes & Experts
Each workshop will feature additional special guests from the elite hike-and-fly world — athletes, coaches, and experts selected to complement the real-world conditions we encounter. Details announced closer to each event.
📷 Ben Horton
Support & Photographer
National Geographic Explorer, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photographer, and official Niviuk US photographer. Ben will capture select workshop moments — participants receive a gallery of editorial-quality images when coverage allows. *Coverage varies by conditions.
Dates & Locations
Note: As these workshops run immediately before each race, there are no demanding physical activities. You will be in taper mode. All training sessions are designed not to impinge on your sleep or rest before race day.
9 Core Modules
MODULE 01
The Perfect Day in Action
From first light to lights out, we break down nutrition, caffeine, sleep hygiene, planning, strategy and go-no-go decision trees for a full day of racing.
MODULE 02
Hike-and-Fly Fundamentals
Skill pyramid, mindset, X-Alps Insights, Decision-making, goal-setting and conflict resolution
MODULE 03
Physical Training and The Ground Game
Building the Engine, Navigating the Terrain, Fueling the Machine
MODULE 04
Making Meteo Work For You
Weather Mastery, Strong Wind Confidence, Launching and (Top)Landing in Real Terrain
MODULE 05
Nailing Transitions
Gear weight, Efficient Packing, and the Art of the Rapid Transition
MODULE 06
The Art of the Eagle
Thermal Mapping, Energy Awareness, Gaggle Flying and the Hard Rules of the Air
MODULE 07
The Mental Game
Fear vs. Intuition, Pre-Launch Visualization, Flow State and the Attitude that Wins
MODULE 08
Race Execution
From Start Line to Goal: Tactics, Timing, Competitor Awareness and the Finish
MODULE 09
Safety, Risk and Race Culture
Risk Frameworks, Emergency Protocols, Community and What We Owe Each Other
Who It’s For
Ideal Participants
- P3 to expert pilots (≈100–2,000+ hours)
- Pilots comfortable with thermaling and ridge soaring
- Those preparing for XRedRocks, XLost, or X-Alps
- Pilots seeking deeper consistency in mountain flying
What’s Included
- Real-world scenarios and analysis
- Niviuk demo wings and gear available on-site
- Copy of Advanced Paragliding
- Curated Cloudbase Mayhem podcast list specific to hike and fly
- Professional photo gallery by Ben Horton*
- Field debriefs with Gavin & Ben
This Is NOT
- An SIV course — no stalls, spins, or spirals
- An acro or maneuver training
- A beginner flight school
- A physical endurance challenge (you’re in taper!)
A note on curriculum philosophy: This is not a flight school — it’s a refinement lab for pilots ready to evolve. No acro, no SIV — just honest, advanced flying education built on Gavin’s book Advanced Paragliding, his 4 Red Bull X-Alps campaigns, 5 years of running the Global Rescue XRedRocks and hundreds of Cloudbase Mayhem episodes. The focus is entirely on real-world flying skills, risk assessment, and smart decision-making.
Ready to Evolve Your Flying?
Limited spots available · Early Sign-Up: $1,000 per session · Idaho & Utah 2026
