The Willi XC Challenge

28th Annual XC Flying Event in Golden, BC, Canada

July 27 - August 4, 2024

Event Overview

Our Goals

To run a meet where hang glider and paraglider pilots of all levels have an opportunity to…

  • Pursue their personal best in a competitive environment;

  • Meet and enjoy the company of fellow pilots;

  • Fly safely at all times; and,

  • Above all, have fun.

Essentials

Dates: July 27 - August 4

Location: Mount 7, Golden, BC, Canada

Headquarters: Golden Riverside Campground

Registration: On-line or on-site during the competition

Entry Fee: $140 before June 15/$180 after

Meet Head: Kevin Nemez
Safety Director: Dannie Wolf

The Willi is open to PG and HG pilots. The winners of this meet will be the registered pilot in each class with the best total points for 3 flights over the course of the competition. You may fly as many flights as you wish every day – re-launches are allowed. Only your best 3 reported flights during the competition will be counted toward your final score.
All pilots will require...

  • Liability Insurance - HPAC membership for Canadian pilots, or Out of country temporary insurance for visiting pilots (can be purchased on site - $40, valid for 60 days).

  • Waivers Signed - for both the Willi and Skyview Ranch LZ.

  • Active GPS Tracking - SPOT, inReach or accepted equivalent with tracking enabled.

To Join Us...

Here's what you need to do...

Before the comp...

Click link above to do that right now.

Click link above when you're ready. Remember, the fee goes up after June 15.

  1. Stay Informed

You will find more information here...

4. Complete Tech Sign-up

Registered pilots will receive notice via email just before the comp to complete a survey collecting safety data and providing an opportunity to sign needed waivers, etc..

When you arrive in Golden...

4. Check-In at HQ

After 5:00 PM on July 26, and before you go flying, let us know you have arrived. We will update you on HQ location just before the comp.

5. Attend 1st Pilot Meeting

9:30 AM on Saturday, July 27, join us at Meet HQ for a briefing regarding safety procedures, weather, and other concerns before heading up for your first comp flight. You might also consider joining us for breakfast at 8:30 AM, just before the meeting.

6. Get High, Fly Far, Be Safe!

The Willi Team

Meet Head: Kevin Nemez

Kevin has been flying paragliders since 2009 and has been a participant in the Willi pretty much every year since. He has had many great flights off Mt7 and elsewhere but it's time he gets put out to pasture and what better place to put old, slightly senile pilots than Meet (Meat?) Head. Mmmmm.....beef.

Safety Director: Dannie Wolf

Dannie began paragliding in June of 2005 and counts flying above the Canadian Rockies he loves so much as one of the greatest experiences a person could ever have. Having loved competing in Willi XC’s in the past, he became our Safety Director in 2013 and has performed those duties faithfully since then. He is looking forward to helping make this year’s competition as great as it can be and hopes to see all his flying friends at the event this summer!

Dave Corbin

Once a dedicated Hang Glider pilot, Dave was seduced by the dark side and now mostly flies rags for glory. He believes that Fairmont Hot Springs is as far as any man ought to go down the valley from Golden. Currently he is enjoying sharing free flight experiences with others as a tandem pilot. Dave has consistently used his skills to set new records for short, thermal avoidance flights from far flung destinations such as Costa Rica, France, Italy and South America.

Jon Lovering

Jon, founder of Prairie Paragliding, grew up in Saskatchewan and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area for work in 2008. In 2011, he learned to fly paragliders in the south San Francisco Bay Area. After completing his novice training Jon was flying as often as he could, first from the local training hill (Ed Levin County Park), and then venturing further afield to other Northern California flying sites, such as Potato Hill and Dunlap California. These gave him a taste of cross country (XC) flying, and in 2013 Jon joined the newly formed Northern California XC Sprint League to hone his XC skills, allowing him to fly 100+km distances. After competing in the Willi, Jon joined our organizer group.

Justin Gullickson

We are still pestering Justin for a bio, but he's a nice guy just like the rest of us.

Cam Savoia

Cam came out of nowhere last year and really stepped up with lots of help wherever needed awarding him "most helpful registrant" and a brand new hike harness. Little did he know however, by accepting it he was now contractually obligated to join the Willi team and help till the end of days. Bwahaha.....Welcome Cam!

Also organizing : Vincene Muller, Keith MacCullough, Kyle Martens