"SIV Yelapa with Marko was an eye opener!

I'm a P-2/speed flying pilot with out of Alaska and mostly fly remote or new launch sites with tow experience. I found SIV training and experience to be my most valuable paragliding training to date.

Despite being a few days late and with no luggage or wing, Marko didn't miss a step, he lent me a wing and harness to get me going right away! He also gave me his SIM card from his cell so I could track down my luggage.

In the air the instruction over the radio was calm and cool as he walked me through each maneuver. Once I landed on the beach we went over each maneuver by photo a few more times to really drill it in! It gave me much more confidence on my equipment and ability and it was a blast! The tow operators are awesome and professional, I launched with bare feet from the white sandy beach!

I'm very thankful he had time to do a very informative line repair clinic and go through and repack my reserve, finding a missing carabiner that should have separated my bridal from my chute. At night when we were done, we'd recount our flights over laughs and beers! Marko's got a great set up in Yelapa, his SIV course is hands-down I must do!

Tony Simko
US paragliding pilot