Profile – Tom de Dorlodot
THOMAS DE DORLODOT
Former Supair pilot
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
TD : I am Belgian, a professional paraglider pilot, an adventurer, a traveler, and the captain of the sailboat SEARCH.
When and how did you learn to paraglide?
TD: I started flying when I was 14, first on a paramotor—since Belgium is pretty flat—and then with a paraglider. A friend introduced me to paragliding. He had brought an old wing to school, and we spent our afternoons inflating it on the boarding school’s soccer field. After a few years of practice, I decided to move to Spain so I could fly almost every day. I met Ramon Morillas and Raul Rodriguez in Granada, and little by little I gained experience. In 2007, I competed in my first Red Bull X-Alps. Since then, I’ve been able to make a living from my passion.
What kind of paragliding do you enjoy?
TD: I’m more of a long-distance and bivouac pilot, although I also love to do a bit of aerobatics. I’ve flown seven times in the Red Bull X Alps and crossed several mountain ranges on foot and by paraglider. I spent six summers in Pakistan opening new routes and making beautiful flights at high altitudes (up to 7,458 meters) and over long distances. I founded the SEARCH project, and we’ve traveled all over the world to fly. For the past 3 years, I’ve been traveling on our 12-meter sailboat, searching for places to fly.
Could you share an interesting paragliding memory with us?
TD: I have some wonderful memories of flying. One of the most memorable was when I finished crossing the three glaciers in Pakistan—the Hispar, the Biafo, and the Baltoro. I finished by flying up the Baltoro and approaching K2 and Broad Peak at over 7,000 meters. It was sublime. I could see for miles. The Himalayas are truly special.
What are your upcoming projects?
TD: We’ll continue to travel around the world by boat with the SEARCH team, and I’m preparing for the Red Bull X Alps 2021. I can’t wait to get back on the expedition. This winter, I’ll be spending a lot of time in the Alps with my California to train.
