Taras Korzhov

Since I was a child, I've had a love for hiking, geography, and mountains. During an excursion in the Almaty region, I spotted some paragliders in the air. Having had some experience with skydiving, I decided to give it a try. The paragliding community welcomed me with open arms, and in 2009, I began my training. I enjoyed it immensely, although I didn't purchase my first paraglider until 2 years later. As I began to grasp the concept of thermal air currents, my flights became longer and more captivating.

Whenever I have free time, I reserve a few hours for flying. I set my own challenges, such as flying a certain distance or passing through specific turnpoints. I've been competing in Accuracy and Cross-Country, achieving good results, and since last year, I've been a member of the national team.

My goal isn't competition; it's to fly more, savor each flight, improve my skills, travel, and explore the world from beneath the cloud base. I don't fly to set records or win prizes; I do it because it allows me to see the world from a different perspective. Participating in competitions introduces me to new people and places. I've been fortunate to have incredible flying experiences and journeys in Kyrgyzstan and India, among other locations.

I've been a devoted fan of Niviuk for a long time. Currently, I own an Artik 4, a Klimber 2 P (with its ZipNkare P), and an Arrow harness. I also use an Octagon 2 reserve parachute. My friends, well aware of my passion for Niviuk, always gift me items with the brand's logo. One of my proudest possessions is a Speedarm-style robe that my wife gifted me.

My wife flies a Hook 5 with a Makan harness and an Octagon reserve parachute. She has participated in and won precision and XC competitions with the gear, and she's thrilled with her achievements. I'm deeply grateful because paragliding brought the most important person in my life, my wife Alexandra. One day, while flying toward a landing site, there were many novice pilots, and she was among them. We met, and we've been together ever since. We travel extensively, always with the goal of paragliding, and we capture many photos and videos of our flights and fellow pilots.

I've tried other Niviuk wings, and in my experience, they offer simple and intuitive handling, easy inflation during takeoff, and excellent stability in flight. They provide ample passive safety, always providing the pilot with sufficient information without overwhelming them. I truly appreciate the "philosophy" behind Niviuk products. Many pilots in Kazakhstan and other countries consider me a Niviuk ambassador because I actively promote the brand, especially on my Instagram account @niviukteamkazakhstan.