Profile – Oka Manuel
OKA MANUAL
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
OM: I've been fascinated by all things flying since I was a child and always wanted to be at the controls as a pilot someday. Some 30-odd years later, I made that dream come true by taking up paragliding, and I've never looked back. On the ground, I'm an architect and photographer in Munich.
When and how did you learn to paraglide?
OM: After spending many years in various cities around the world, I eventually returned to my hometown of Munich in 2014. The following year, I decided to finally fulfill my dream of flying and enrolled in a paragliding school. I immediately followed up my training with a few guided paragliding trips and an SIV, which allowed me to progress quite quickly. The SIV then laid the foundation for my interest in acro.
What kind of paragliding do you enjoy?
OM: I try to dip my toes into all the different types of paragliding I come across. So far, I’ve participated in a few beginner competitions, chased some big lines (for me) across the Alps, gone on a few short bivouacs, soared along coastlines and over dunes, and made some progress with acrobatics. All of these disciplines inform and benefit from one another, so I usually choose whichever one seems most promising for any given situation.
Could you share an interesting paragliding memory with us?
OM: My most cherished memories aren’t necessarily of my longest flights, but often of the technically more demanding ones. Returning from a flight with a low cloud base or a strong headwind, taking off from a tight spot after a long hike, or venturing deep into the snow-covered mountains early in the season come to mind. My most recent flight of this kind took place in the Dolomites, where I managed a challenging top landing and takeoff and then really pushed myself to complete a triangle against a strong headwind.
What are your upcoming projects?
OM: I'm getting ready for a crossing of the Alps or just a longer fly-and-camp trip somewhere in the mountains next year. Also, the list of maneuvers to learn in acro is still pretty long.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suboptimus/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-SbS6ayzWDXm_CF98mC8SA
