Episode 141- Robbie Whittall- Creating Connections and Changing Perceptions

Where do you start with Robbie Whittall? He’s one of only three pilots in history to have won the world championships in BOTH hang gliding and paragliding. He co-founded Ozone. He’s considered the “godfather of the Serial class.” He raced superbikes for several years in what is considered the most dangerous motor sports event in the world, the Isle of Man race. We begin this podcast with a couple of crazy stories (getting plucked in Foehn off a flat field clipped in backwards, and winning the 89′ Hang Gliding worlds after tumbling- TWICE), then dig into Robbie’s remarkable life journey, much of lived with the throttle pegged, but it’s also been one with plenty of instrospection. Robbie discusses the importance of connection; the difference and importance of flying in “Flow” vs trying; how to “let it happen”; finding your potential; why the British have been so successful in free flight; being tenacious and the value of practicing in poor conditions; how to get the best results by going against yourself rather than the competition; the learning process; the Open Class carnage that lead to the Serial Class; why we’ve lost so much of the purity of flight by removing the human element and relying on increased instrumentation; what “unleashed fun” means, and how to find peace with the inevitable. Get comfortable and tuck in, this is a masterclass from a genuine master. 

Watch the 2019 trailer for the Isle of Man race. CRAZY!

Show Notes: 

* The marionette!

* Winning the World Championships in 89- AFTER tumbling twice

* The addiction begins out a frustration with school

* The importance of connection- to people, to nature

* Flow vs Try

* Finding your potential

* The Brits- why so good?

* Tenacity

* Poor conditions? Good!

* Compete against yourself, not others and you’ll learn to win

* The learning process

* NOW

* The Open Class Carnage

* Leaving the comp scene

* Unleashed fun

* Coming to terms with death

Mentioned in the Show:

Jon Pendry, Thomas Theurillat, Bill Belcourt, Bruce goldsmith, Russ Ogden, Pepe López, Colin Rider