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Show Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, November 1-4, 2008 The Park Record B-10 MARKETPLACE • Riding the air Park CHy Paragliding a cut above the rest By ANDREW KIRK Of the Record staff was getting big air. After getting bruised and beat up enough times jumping, he started looking for a different way to get thrills. In 1990, he discovered paragliding and jumped in head-first. Giving lessons came naturally, he said, because it's just his personality to want to teaeh something cool he learns to other people. Santacroce, now 36, got his start in Utah at the Point of the Mountain where paragliding has become such a permanent feature that it will soon become an official park with a parking lot and restrooms. But to get Summit County residents and visitors into the sport, he decided to try a different approach: boating. Most paragliders take advantage of wind coming up the slopes of a hill or mountain (Point of the Mountain works so well because wind comes off Utah Lake in the morning and off the Great Salt Lake in the evening). But with a mile of rope. Park City Paragliding can help people jog along the beach at Jordanelle Reservoir until they catch air and tow them up to 3.000 feel. This is not parasailing. The boafs purpose is to help riders gain elevation. At 2,000 or 3,000 feet the line is disconnected and the rider can then try to catch drafts coming off the hills or simply tloat down. For $225 Santacroce can guarantee about 15 minutes of riding time. Paragliding isn't an easy sport, there are a lot of safety moves that When Canicc Harte worked in France for a ski equipment company, he learned the town he was in was the "paragliding mecca" of the world. One day he decided to go for a ride with some friends. In paragliding, the rider is suspended from a parachute-looking wing and becomes air-borne by stepping off a mountain or being towed into the air. On the mountain in France, Harte noticed the person on his left was a 13-year-old boy and to his right was a 65-year-old woman. He realized this sport wasn't getting the attention it deserved in the U.S. Introducing paragliding to people is the goal of Chris Santacroce, owner of Park City Paragliding. Santacroce is not only one of the top stunt paragliders in the PHOTOS COURTESY OF C. SANTACROCE nation, he also runs North America's largest distributor of Chris Santacroce and his instructors can give tandem flights or provide expert instruction above the Jordanelle. paragliding equipment. If someone wants to try it out, he can take people for rides on tandem flights. "All you have to do is be able to narily beautiful from the sky up tandem with a licensed pilot is happen," he said. take a few steps for the take-off and a few steps for a landing," he Harte described Santacroce as a there," he said. "Being 2,000 feet effortless, he explained. said. The Jordanelle is perfect for casual, yet direct instructor. He's above a lake is stunningly beautiPARK CITY PARAGLIDING Or, if someone knows this is paragliding because no mountain unassuming, and Harte guesses ful." Schaeffer used to fly small air- 801.255.9595 something , launch-point is needed, that most people would be surthey want to _ it's accessible in any sea- prised to learn he's one of the planes and said one of the coolest WWW.PARKCITYdo for a son and the water is more nation's paramount competitive parts of this non-powered flight is Paragliding can happen anywhere, our activhobby, he seeing the world from a totally difand stunt paragliders. forgiving of mistakes. PARAGLIDING.COM can give lesferent vantage point. Tim Schaeffer had an office in Accidents are ity in Park City is evidence of that Its not naturalsons and "I love getting up 1,000 or 2,000 highly uncommon, but Bluffdale where he watched RESERVATION LINE: 801help people ly a great location, but when we use boating and when advanced riders paragliders nearly every day. feet above ground and cruising become 706-6076. '. ' want to practice maneu- Finally he decided to drive up around. It's gorgeous," he said. l i c e n s e d other tricks we have, we can make great flying vers, the water makes for there and talk to them. Even though paragliding can be themselves "They were an incredibly nice done year-round, the trips on the SPRING THROUGH a great safety net, - perhaps happen." explained Harte, a group of people. Someone hooked Jordanelle will end soon. Park City AUTUMN even start us up with a friend of Chris's for a Paragliding's winter activity is Pinebrook resident. their own 7 A.M. TO NOON O N "Paragliding can happen tandem flight," he said. "I knew speedflying. - Chris Santacroce, owner of Park City anywhere, training Santacroce isn't alone in enjoyour activity in before I even landed it was someschool. WEEKDAYS Paragliding. Park City is evidence of thing I wanted to do." ing big air while skiing. Schaeffer said he likes the Speedflying is going down a mounthat. It's not naturally a $225 Santacroce great location, but when Jordanelle trips because of the tain on skis with the parachuteis from Aspen where he skied a attached for a faster, smoother ridej we use boating and other tricks we scenery. lot, he said. But really his favorite need to be understood, but riding have, we can make great flying "The cool thing is it's extraordi- with longer jumps FOCUS HEALTH Now Open in Park City An ADHD Specialty Practice for Adults and Children ''Merging advances in neuroscience and technology with individualized medical care." Comprehensive Medical Care for ADHD. ADD, and related disorders 'David Jubelirer M.D. ' Increased accuracy of diagnosis utilizing advanced technology to Identify unique brainwave pattern newly found for ADHD and ADD Individualized Treatment Plans including non-medtcation and medication options, and education about ADHD County Council Seat C ' School,Organization, and Parenting Strategies Neurocognltive and Executive Function Testing ' Cogmcd Memory Training Research proven brain training program for lasting improvment in memory, attention, and problem-solving at any age. "A leader among Leaders" JILL SHEINBERG 2760 Rasmussen Rd, Park City • 2120 S 1300 E Sugar House Plaza, SLC 8 0 1 - 467- 4210 www.ln-FocusHealth.com "John is the Best Candidate" CANDY ERICKSON "A Track Record of Leadership and Caring" CORRIE KlRKLEN "Extraordinary Organizational Skill" MARK MAZIARZ/MAZIARZPEOPIE.COM I will represent all county residents to serve our community. . DEE MACALUSO "Caring and compassionate" KATHY ANDERSON "Understands the issues and brings people together" AUSON CHILD "Better off as a community with John on Council" JOANNA CHARNES "Highest moral character and outstanding communication skills" WINNIE (DR. R.T. WINN) "Natural leader, loves his community, dedicated to Summit County" DONNA FISCHER "Great work founding The People's Health Clinic and The Hope Alliance" STACY DYMALSKI "Creative approach to problem solving" MARIANNE CONE Get Out and Vote November 4!!!! For Park City School Board Positions f advocate responsible growth: balancing community rights and private property rights. I support open space, trails, and preservation of ranchland, farmland, our culture and history. I envision Summit County as a Western leader in environmental stewardship. I support expanded recycling, and fostering alternative energy sources. I support maintaining and improving stream and water quality. I support affordable housing and senior housing. voteforjohn.net leadership Vision Action /- * ///-'y r'n / • / ' st • The Park City Education Association Endorses and Asks That You Support Gerd Holmsen-Aguilar and Mo Hickey Paid For by The Park City Education Association* |