Mindset, Fundamentals and Techniques of Hike-and-Fly | The New Standard Reference for the Hike-and-Fly Community
In Wanderbird Strategy, paraglider pilot and renowned hike-and-fly specialist Paul Guschlbauer shares his extensive knowledge and experience with both beginners and advanced pilots.
The book is divided into two parts: A theoretical section focuses on mindset, fundamentals, and the philosophical as well as mental aspects of hike-and-fly—from the deeper philosophy behind this sport to the psychological strategies required for success.
The practical section guides the reader through the essential skills and techniques needed to master ascents, take-offs, and flights. Guschlbauer blends solid expertise with personal anecdotes and insights, creating a profound guide that is as inspiring as it is informative. Wanderbird Strategy is more than just a manual; it is an invitation to expand the boundaries of what is possible and to fully embrace the freedom of hike-and-fly paragliding.
With a foreword by Thomas Theurillat (sports mental coach) and guest contributions from Aaron Durogati (Red Bull X-Alps winner 2025), Elisabeth Egger (first and so far only female finisher of the X-Alps 2023), and Veronika Mayerhofer (Olympian 2014, sports psychologist and psychotherapist).
- Softcover with embossing
- approx. 354 book pages
- German and English editions (separate)
- 170 x 240 mm
Deliveries outside the EU: For orders to Switzerland and Norway, we offer you a specially optimized shipping rate.
For orders from the UK and overseas — such as the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and others — we recommend our international partner from the renowned Cross Country magazine. You can check out their online store for that.
Mindset, Fundamentals and Techniques of Hike-and-Fly | The New Standard Reference for the Hike-and-Fly Community
In Wanderbird Strategy, paraglider pilot and renowned hike-and-fly specialist Paul Guschlbauer shares his extensive knowledge and experience with both beginners and advanced pilots.
The book is divided into two parts: A theoretical section focuses on mindset, fundamentals, and the philosophical as well as mental aspects of hike-and-fly—from the deeper philosophy behind this sport to the psychological strategies required for success.
The practical section guides the reader through the essential skills and techniques needed to master ascents, take-offs, and flights. Guschlbauer blends solid expertise with personal anecdotes and insights, creating a profound guide that is as inspiring as it is informative. Wanderbird Strategy is more than just a manual; it is an invitation to expand the boundaries of what is possible and to fully embrace the freedom of hike-and-fly paragliding.
With a foreword by Thomas Theurillat (sports mental coach) and guest contributions from Aaron Durogati (Red Bull X-Alps winner 2025), Elisabeth Egger (first and so far only female finisher of the X-Alps 2023), and Veronika Mayerhofer (Olympian 2014, sports psychologist and psychotherapist).
- Softcover with embossing
- approx. 354 book pages
- German and English editions (separate)
- 170 x 240 mm
Deliveries outside the EU: For orders to Switzerland and Norway, we offer you a specially optimized shipping rate.
For orders from the UK and overseas — such as the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and others — we recommend our international partner from the renowned Cross Country magazine. You can check out their online store for that.
The valley wind Map – your bonus in the bundle
Our VIENTO Alpine Valley Wind Map gives you a tactical overview of wind directions, launch sites, passes, and flying areas – perfect for tour planning and flight analysis.
Coverage: 80% of the Alps, Jura, Vosges, Lake Garda & more
Includes thermal hotspots, QR codes & a backside with a valley-wind chapter by Burkhard Martens
Format: 1400 × 590 mm (folded 198 × 295 mm), double-sided print
The perfect accessory for all pilots
When I held 101 Ways to Fly Better in my hands, it was immediately clear: truly excellent. Strong content, modern, and practical. That's why we've added the English edition to our store – as a perfect complement to Wanderbird Strategy. Thanks to its clear, easy-to-understand English, the book is also very suitable for many German-speaking readers.
Paragliding: 101 Ways to Fly Better is the new book designed to help you advance through the sport of paragliding and become a better pilot. It contains everything you need to know to help you learn the art and science of thermalling and cross-country flying, including dedicated sections on equipment, thermals, flatland flying, mountain flying, SIV, safety and more.
With pro pilots Bruce Goldsmith, Théo de Blic and Greg Hamerton at the helm the book includes numerous contributions from top pilots around the world. Laid out in an easy-to-follow way and featuring hundreds of illustrations and photographs to help make technical concepts come alive, the book is bang up-to-date and includes everything you need to know to progress safely through the sport, from your first wing to flying two-liner EN Cs.
Chapters include:
- Choosing Equipment: From choosing the right glider and getting the right size to knowing when it’s the right time to step up. Plus how to maintain your kit
- Fundamentals: Managing tricky launches, active flying, pitch control, rear-riser control, using your speedbar, top-landing and learning to fly your own way
- Thermals and Thermalling: From understanding the cumulus cycle and predicting where thermals will be to climbing better and flying at cloudbase
- XC Masterclasses: Reading the sky ahead, navigating airspace, using technology to fly further, speed-to-fly in real life, mountain flying and flying efficiently
- Flatlands: How to get (really) good at mapping lift, flying cloud streets, understanding the chessboard of the flats and getting ‘lucky’ low saves
- Mountain Flying: Assessing wind in the mountains, picking your line, flying in the lee, your first mountain 100km, staying safe, hike-and-fly and vol-bivouac
- SIV and Your Reserve: Why and when you should do your first SIV, the four SIV fundamentals, training SIV on your own, progressing to acro and dealing with your reserve
- Safety: Developing an attitude of safety, how to buddy up, avoiding accidents and a step-by-step guide to managing an emergency
- Headspace: How to use sports psychology techniques to build mental resilience and trust, manage fear, use anchors, and set goals for success
VIENTO Publishing: The Wanderbird Strategy | by Paul Guschlbauer.
Mindset, fundamentals and techniques of Hike & Fly: A new standard work for the paragliding community.
Paul Guschlbauer
Paul Guschlbauer is a paraglider pilot, known for his multiple participation in the Red Bull X-Alps. Paul is also recognized for his involvement in the aviation and outdoor community, where he is committed to safety, environmental protection and passing on his knowledge to the next generation of pilots.
Paul Guschlbauer, a seven-time Red Bull X-Alps participant, has written a book about it: "Wanderbird Strategy." Anyone expecting a classic nonfiction book that systematically explains the various variations of hike-and-fly and thoroughly explores the necessary technical fundamentals will have to reconsider. Although the title sounds "strategic," Guschlbauer's focus is on something else. For him, the hike-and-fly mindset is clearly the most important thing. There are also in-depth chapters on topics such as technique, training, planning, nutrition, and even competitions. Much of this is based on Guschlbauer's experiences from his time in the X-Alps. The core message of the book, however, is not about simply mastering hike-and-fly as a discipline and necessarily striving to win something in it.
The mental component has always interested me a lot in gliding and also as a paraglider pilot. In the ongoing process of working with Paul, I was able to see how creative Paul's new approaches are. A little off the beaten track, it shows possibilities that will captivate even experienced pilots. The whole thing is greatly enhanced with many examples and experiences from Paul and friends!
A book that completely redefines Hike & Fly.
"The Wanderbird Strategy" is a work I've been waiting for in this form. Paul starts with the fundamentals—the question of what dream we personally associate with flying—and from there guides us through all facets of this fascinating discipline. Mindset and mental strategies are seamlessly interwoven with practical aspects such as understanding nature, technology, training, and nutrition.
I find his definition of "Wanderbird Flow" particularly inspiring, as well as the realization that hike & fly is more than the sum of its parts. Paul shows how important it is to arrive in the moment – not only for safe flying, but also to seize opportunities and thus fly better. The book encourages further development – on all levels, technical and personal, regardless of your current "Wanderbird" level. An absolute must-read for anyone who wants to understand and experience hike & fly holistically.
Flight schools, dealers and online stores: get »Wanderbird Strategy« now in your range:
The most comprehensive book on the subject of Hike & Fly—packed with knowledge, experiences, and inspiration. It appeals to enthusiastic pilots as well as beginners who are dedicated to paragliding. We look forward to hearing from you!
