Mariana

"Flying in a hang glider from Gavea rock was a dream come true. Who was responsible for this achievement? Ruy Marra, a fantastic person, of course a model professional, very responsible, only one who loves what he does can demostrate this. Althouh the moment was of pure adrenalin which is a common factor amongst radical sports that challenge you to conquer your fears and limits, I had the best of sensations, comfort and absolute trust. BELIEVE ME, I didnt feel the slightest bit affraid. An undescribable sensation. Flying was at the very least a marvelous experience, the best I´ve had in my life (no exagerations). I will never forget it – how could I?  My testimonial is more than just praise for the occasion.

My advice is “dont think, don´t hesitate”. Enjoy it and one of the seven wonders of the world because fro sure – flying on a hang glider is one of them and as I did – make your mark in history by getting closer to the sky."

Flávio

The flight I took in Rio was simply unforgettable. A real life time experience. I told and English friend of mine  of Indian decent from Mellow Yellow who was impressed by your knowledge of Shiva. By the way , speaking of knowledge, I believe that the calmness you pass on to foreigners and the students tha fly with you doenst just demosntrate technical expertize but also has psychological benefits too.

This also comes from the positive energy you transmit  just by your presence, the tranquility of your conversation, about any subject and your outlook on life.

As soon as you publish your book, if posible , let me know by email as I will be very interested to know more about what you can tell me and Ale.

Congratulations and thank you for you attention. PS. Annexed is the photo we took on the take off ramp, a moment that will stay wiht me for the rest of my life.

Angelica

The first time I wanted to fly was around 1984 when I was on São Corado Beach watching people fly. I really wanted to fly too but......that is where it ended. Many years passed but I always remembered my desire to fly but lacked the courage.

In 1996 I discovered that I had breast cancer and that I would have to remove my left breast. I was very saddened by this but an ld flame from within re-ignited and I decided to fly.

At the time I was married and my husband said he would not fly with me. I wanted to fly in Rio as that was my dream but I lived in BH.I contacted Soninha and she contacted Ruy and we set  date. I had to run away from home to Rio to face my fears and gather the courage to face surgery. I think it was the best present I gave myself at the time. My feelings regarding what was happening to me at the time bcame stronger ad I was able to deal with the situation in a much more confident manner. My first flight was on 31/07/1997 and today – after ten years have passed, I am well and healthy, working very hard, and occasionaly I fly – which feeds me and makes me grow stronger.

Kim

Yesterday I was flying over Rio de Janeiro, this may sound foolish but for many years I have been affraid of heights, to the point where I could have been in tall closed buildings with thick walls and still the sensation o vertigo would grip me. To me – a hang glider flight was completely out of the question as I never  believed that I could throw myself off a mountain. After some friends had flown and returned full of adrenalin and euphoric saying that they had had the best experience of their lives I decide to conquer my fear of flying.

My pilot was Ruy, from the onset he was interested in guiding me through the flight. It all started in the car on the way to the take of ramp with him preparing me for flight and I had no idea that Ruy was transmiting positive vibe to me. When we reached the top I felt intense fear seeing the ramp and Rio de Janeiro below in front of me. Tears began to roll donw my facer and I began to tremble, I thought immediately “how will I be able to do this?” Ruy took me back to my childhood, and told me to focus on specific things such as smells and and sensations that I had had in the past. HE told me to tell him about a good moment in my life, and I remembered a doll that I loved and that was given to me by my uncle.

After teaching me relaxing respiratory exercises, Ruy told me to focus on that moment so as to stay calm. He also visualised a situation for me to think about whilst we were running down the ramp, I pretended that I was running to watch my favourite tv show and I was late. This was excellent for me as I concentrated more on that than the fact that I was running down the ramp for take off.

Before the flight we sat down at the edge of the ramp and watched people taking off. We almost didnt speak, which was a great help because it enabled me to concentrate more on the techniques used bringing the moment of flight closer to me. The flight was fine after we made it down the ramp and took off to my show, I was willing to enjoy the flight from its first instant. My self esteem was high and I felt totaly at ease with Ruy. I must confess that there were a few frightening moments, for example when there was a change of wind, but they were insignificant and normal in flight. The mere fact that I was up there was enough for me. Without Ruy´s experience that flight would not have been possible.

Now I feel ready to do it again, at the click of my fingers and I am anxiously awaiting the opportunity. I learned techniques that I can use in similar situations and I feel I made a huge leap in conquering my fear of heights. Flying on a Hnag glider will certainly do this for you too.

Thank you once again for yesterday Ruy, Im still in the air!



Dr David Servain Schreiber.

Ruy found many of his themes in my book – long may his ousl fly as do his wings.

Francisco Gleison
Sergeant – Anfibious forces

Paragliders – the latest job in special operations

In April 2005, initiating paragliding  training  for military purposes, I had no idea of the problems I woud face. With no prevous knowledge I imained that all I would have to do was acelerate and take off. Each take off  was terrifying, adrenalin took hold of me. In October 2005, on meeting Rui Marra, I was shown that flying was pure pleasure, that the take off , the free flight an the landing are directly liked to emotional control.