Dan Atherton
/
United Kingdom
FOLLOW ME
www.parapentemoncho.com
Date of birth:
1988.02.14
Hometown:
León, Spain
Sponsors:
Polini,
Paramania,
Nac Intercom,
Windaction,
Skytraxx Plus,
Kasana,
PESZKE,
B-free paramotor,
Windtech,
Hobbies:
Parachuting, Hiking, climbing, travelling, adventure sports
Favourite athletes:
Koby Bryant and Jonah Lomu
BIO
I have always been an adventurous person and I have been spending a good deal of my income in travelling (and so I keep doing) since I was a teenager; One day while in a trip to a nearby mountain I started to think: What about being able to see what birds can see from above? That day something started to change in my mind, I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about that dream for a single day.
Of course, to afford that dream I would have to find a job that allowed me a lot of free time and a good salary and so I did. I became a fire-fighter.
With my basic needs covered I could begin to fulfill my dream. I convinced an experienced paraglider of my hometown in order that He taught me to fly.
Since that day I have flown three out of every four days (when I do not have to work as fire-fighter), I have traveled all over the World for sportive purposes and I honestly think that I have the best life I could have, doing what I love, with the people I choose and earning money for doing so.
INTERVIEW
What are you looking for to accomplish?
I´m looking for the maximum success possible in the paragliding and paramotor world. To get to know perfectly how these sports work. To improve in the slalom category to get to be the best in the world, what is extremely difficult because there are very good opponents.
What would be your greatest achievement?
I got a silver medal with the Spanish team in the first World Championship I competed; then a Bronze Medal in the European Championship and finally another silver medal in the following World Championship. All of them with the Spanish team.
But for me the greatest achievement was having been selected to take part in the Parabatix team, which is the greatest accomplishment a person can reach in the paragliding and paramotor circles.
Recently, I have been invited to take part in the FAI World Air Games Dubai 2015 from November 28th to December 3rd.
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
You have to update all the time in terms of security and technology. You have to be very strict with every single thing you do in order to avoid an accident; but do not misunderstand me, these are not extreme sports but adventure sports. The risk the sportsman is exposed to only depends on himself;
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
The simple fact that you can fulfill one of the greatest and the most primitive dream of Humankind, Flying.
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
Most frequently in my home town, a mid-size city in the North-West of Spain, León; now that Los Oteros airdrome has been established I like to practice in León even better.
But as I have so many events and competitions I practice all over the world, and for that I am very fortunate.
What do you do during your training which is key to your success?
The appropriate maintenance of the equipment, to try to do my best in all the occasions.
Make modifications to the canopy of my paraglider and paramotor in order to give some valuable information to the manufacturers so they can improve their product, not only for my own success but for the development of these sports.
What are you most nervous about when competing?
The stress of not being able to do my best; What I ´m about to say is not an excuse, but more frequently than I want to admit my weigh is a disadvantage because I don´t have enough power in my engine to do everything I know I can do, so my performance is not so good as it could be and that makes me feel nervous.
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
I couldn´t say who is my biggest fan, I have 10.000 followers in the social networks and their support is essential for my success. In this sense I have to thank all my sponsors for allowing me to make my dream true.
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
The secret of these sports is to Fly with all your heart and soul but always with precaution; those were, more or less, the words the person who taught me to fly told me 9 years ago.
What are your future plans?
FAI World Air Games Dubai 2015 from November 28th to December 3rd.
To Make a documentary in Morocco with charitable purposes
Height world record attempt with paramotor in Guatemala
Distance world record attempt in Sweden suecia cruzar españa de monte a sur
I will cross Spain from North to South flying
Classic paragliding World Championship
European Slalom paramotor Championship
What are your tips for those who begin now?
I always want to help beginners to accomplish our common dream of flying; my tip is to fight everyday for your dreams.
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