Gabriela Avagian
| Disciplines | Hike & fly competition |
|---|---|
| nationality | Norway |
| city | Møllenberg, Norway |
| Birth date | 1997 |
| Gin team since | 2026 |
Know more about Gabriela
Biography
Gabriela is a Hike & Fly and XC pilot from Norway, who loves to discover the world both on the ground and in the air. Discovered paragliding by coincidence when she was 19, something that quickly became a central part of her life. When she is not flying, she is most likely on her bike or running somewhere in the mountains and sometimes working with university work when the exams are coming around the corner.
Interview
What’s your job or profession?:
I am just finishing my master thesis in Electronics engineering, the future though, is still a mystery.
I am just finishing my master thesis in Electronics engineering, the future though, is still a mystery.
Do you have any hobbies besides paragliding?:
Most of my hobbies revolve around sports, so climbing, road cycling, running and ski touring (depending on the weather). If living in a place where the weather can change every hour taught me something, is that you learn to enjoy different sports for different weather. As we say in Norwegian: “There is no bad weather, only bad clothes”. But I also like reading books and cooking!
Most of my hobbies revolve around sports, so climbing, road cycling, running and ski touring (depending on the weather). If living in a place where the weather can change every hour taught me something, is that you learn to enjoy different sports for different weather. As we say in Norwegian: “There is no bad weather, only bad clothes”. But I also like reading books and cooking!
When and what inspired you to start paragliding?:
I started flying a bit by coincidence. After high school I wanted to do something else before going to university, and in Norway we can go to a type of boarding school for one year where we can learn and do different fun activities. Paragliding looked interesting and I decided to give it a try! I didn’t know what it was and it was easy in the beginning, and I was terrified of turbulence and flying in thermals. But I am for sure happy I chose this sport and it has become a huge part of my life in the last years.
I started flying a bit by coincidence. After high school I wanted to do something else before going to university, and in Norway we can go to a type of boarding school for one year where we can learn and do different fun activities. Paragliding looked interesting and I decided to give it a try! I didn’t know what it was and it was easy in the beginning, and I was terrified of turbulence and flying in thermals. But I am for sure happy I chose this sport and it has become a huge part of my life in the last years.
What are your favorite flying spots?:
Norway has for sure some epic places to fly, for example Lofoten where you can fly by the sea in the midnight sun, or in Loen where you can fly close to glaciers and fjords. But I also lived one year in Italy close to the Dolomities, and these mountains also have a special place in my heart.
Norway has for sure some epic places to fly, for example Lofoten where you can fly by the sea in the midnight sun, or in Loen where you can fly close to glaciers and fjords. But I also lived one year in Italy close to the Dolomities, and these mountains also have a special place in my heart.
What is your best flight or adventure?
One of my best flying experiences is not necessarily the biggest flight, but it was for sure one of the most memorable. My boyfriend, some friends of ours and I went to Reinebringen, Lofoten (in Northern Norway) for a hike&fly. We didn’t expect to have any thermals and would be lucky enough to fly down. But we were surprised with smooth thermals and flying close to fjords for several hours.
One of my best flying experiences is not necessarily the biggest flight, but it was for sure one of the most memorable. My boyfriend, some friends of ours and I went to Reinebringen, Lofoten (in Northern Norway) for a hike&fly. We didn’t expect to have any thermals and would be lucky enough to fly down. But we were surprised with smooth thermals and flying close to fjords for several hours.
Could you share a link to your best flight track? (e.g., XContest or similar)
xcontest.org/2025/world/en/flights/detail:gabriela.avagian/4.4.2025/08:13
xcontest.org/2025/world/en/flights/detail:gabriela.avagian/4.4.2025/08:13
What do you like most about flying?:
I like the adventure part, and the way it makes it possible to discover the world. Like we usually fly in the areas you probably wouldn’t travel otherwise. It is also a very cool way to connect and meet people, both pilots and the locals.
I like the adventure part, and the way it makes it possible to discover the world. Like we usually fly in the areas you probably wouldn’t travel otherwise. It is also a very cool way to connect and meet people, both pilots and the locals.
Why do you want to be part of the GIN team?:
You make equipment that is good for small pilots. :) It also seems like the GIN team is a great team with a lot of nice pilots and good environment.
You make equipment that is good for small pilots. :) It also seems like the GIN team is a great team with a lot of nice pilots and good environment.
What are your objectives for the next two years?:
I want to continue to train and become a better pilot, both in hike&fly and xc-competions. I hope to participate in PWC’s in the future (hopefully this year) and I will also participate in my first European Championship in August this year!
I want to continue to train and become a better pilot, both in hike&fly and xc-competions. I hope to participate in PWC’s in the future (hopefully this year) and I will also participate in my first European Championship in August this year!
What advice would you give to new pilots?
Learn from the best, but don’t compare yourself to them. And also, don’t wait until you are 100% ready to do something, as you never will be.
Learn from the best, but don’t compare yourself to them. And also, don’t wait until you are 100% ready to do something, as you never will be.
Achievements
1st
Nordic and Norwegian championship
2025
Female
11th
Nordic and Norwegian championship
2025
Nordics Overall
3rd
Copa de Las Américas
2026
Female
2nd
Copa de Las Américas
2025
Female
4th
Bornes to fly
2025
Female
