Mix up your flying and improve your learning.
Author: Martin havel
Paragliding to me is about having fun and doing what makes me happy. Being better and safer pilot is one of the things that ticks this box. I've been now flying for over 5 years so I'm still figuring out a lot of stuff and I always look for ways to improve and how to get better within a safe margins.
Flying AU comps has made me a better and safer pilot. Flying comps has been a steeper learning curve compared to randomly flying XC. The main reason I've started flying AU comps was to fly better and learn more, to learn faster, meet new people, learn from more experienced pilots. Flying comps cost money, time and effort and there are some extra risks but there is also a lot of safety build in that you won't have on your lonely XC flight. Most importantly flying in comps will accelerate your development as a new pilot.
We also have more of the get together comps like State of Origin every year in Manilla or QLD Championship, not so serious very friendly comps with the competition format but for many people they are just the way to catch up with old buddies. XC Camp each year, yet another low stress competition in terms of what you have to do, you just fly as far as you can or want to fly and have a fun. They are all called competitions, they might as well be called a fly-ins or XC gatherings which is what they are to many people.
It's not all black and white about competitions being dangerous. If you are a new pilot and you are serious about being a good pilot, any of the above mentioned competitions will help you to get there faster and in my opinion safer as competitions are controlled environment where you are being looked after by the organisers and all the participants. You can also learn more by attending clinics or going on to a guided tours if you prefer more tailored tuition.
It's a mixed bag and it helps to mix it up a little to get where you are heading faster and safer. So don't forget to chuck in the SIV course at some stage. As many before me have said do what makes you happy, do what works for you. Don't do what he or she is doing because you reckon they are a good or a better pilots, do what works for you.
Would that peer recognition of winning a comp, flying furthest or being the best pilot in the world feel great? I bet it would and if you are prepared to put the time and effort in to it I believe it is there for you to have it. But maybe the peer recognition is not all that important and your high emotional intelligence will allow you to be fully satisfied just for being the happiest paragliding pilot in the world because you just flew for 2-5 hrs next to one of your best mates, you've landed next to each other busting for a pee, you hitched back together and had a cold beer back in the pub on your way home. Go easy on yourselves, be happy, have a fun, learn new stuff, work on your skills, stay safe and "Fly High".