Mark Hayman

UK

Interview

• When did you start paragliding?:

  1996. They didn’t even teach us to reverse launch in those days!

• What is your current material (glider, harness)?:

  GTO 3

• What is your flying weight?:

  130Kg

• How many flights do you have?:

  2000+, around 5000 hours

• What is your longest flight?:

  About 200km but I only fly in competitions

• Link to your XContest flights:

  https://www.xcontest.org/world/en/pilots/detail:skiboycey

• Why would you like to fly in the GIN team?:

  I wanted to be in a team that has a family feel and when the boss (Gin) turns up and is fighting to win tasks on the SRS and is in his own team this cannot be a bad thing! The glider is also awesome, like flying with your best friend above your head…

• What are your latest/best results?:

  SRS Champion 2023, British Sports Champion 2025, 1st Naviter 2025, 1st SRS Gemona and St Jean de Montclar 2023 and a few others…

• What do you like about Gin Gliders?

  The team is like a band of brothers and I feel very welcome and valued to be a part of it. Everybody is chilled and supportive and this, when all is said and done, is what we fly for – the camaraderie and the sense of belonging that comes with it. I am really happy to be a part of the team.

• What are your objectives for the next two years?:

  I will try to win the SRS a second time now that I am able to fly again after a recent shoulder injury. I am loving flying the Sports wings and want to a part of this developing area of the sport. I love competing but didn’t so much enjoy flying CCC wings. With the Sports Class I have the ability to again enjoy competing whilst feeling secure and safe whilst doing so. Let’s keep it going, it’s so much fun right now…

• Do you have Instagram? Youtube?:

  That’s a question for my kids! Probably but I’m not very good with social media. I think it is mark.hayman.353