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Speedflying "Lazy Boy" Ground Launch in High Winds - Highly Skilled TJ Landgren

2,840 views · Published 13 December 2018 · 2:07 · Indexed 21 September 2026

Channel: Daredevil Girl · 2018 · Sports

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Swoop like a boss! Mad canopy piloting skills right here! "Speed flying is a hybrid sport that has combined elements of paragliding and parachuting to create a new sport. Like paragliding, speed flying is done by launching from a slope with the wing overhead, already inflated by the incoming air. The main difference between speed flying and paragliding, is that speed flying is meant to create a fast, thrilling ride close to the slope, while the point of paragliding is usually to maintain a longer, gentler flight. The fast landing technique for speed wings is similar to that used in parachuting. However, parachuting or skydiving is done from a plane or fixed object (BASE jumping), and the wing is designed to arrest the free fall. Newer designs of hybrid-wings (also called mini-wings) are now being produced to allow a high speed "hike and fly" from mountainous areas. They can be soared in strong laminar winds and thermalled similar to paragliders, and may also be trimmed for a more traditional speed flying descent." - From Wiki

In this video I filmed T.J. Landgren ground launching a speedflying a mini-wing from a lazy boy position. He makes it look so easy. TJ is a very experienced and highly skilled canopy pilot. He has been swooping for decades and has over 20,000 skydives. Don't just go and try this all nimbly bimbly at home kids! This requires a high-speed flying situational awareness. 

The winds were gusting over 20mph. Watch the Spitfire speed wing as he lets it fly in full flight as much as possible to prevent collapse or stall in the turbulent winds. He applies more brakes when he wants to hover or soar or stay just above the ground to proximity fly. He does a "peace out" switchblade swooping flyby and almost a high five flyby. We didn't connect. Notice how the wing looks part of his body as he pilots, very fluid. The winds are so strong that he picks up a ton of speed when he crabs and soars along the hill. He is in a tucked up "swooper" body position to protect his legs and body in case of a dropout. TJ comes from skydiving and has a very high situational awareness. This is seriously some badass flying here. This type of flying is not recommended and can be dangerous for your average big wing soaring paraglider or non-swooping skydiver. Know your limits. Swoop like a boss!

I just found this footage on my hard drive and wanted to share. This is such a great example of a highly skilled and experienced high performance canopy pilot. Filmed with GoPro at the Lake Isabella Ground Launch Center in 2013. Watch it full HD on the big screen. Contact Duane Hall and Speedfly Sports to fly at Lake Isabella.

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