At 59, Catherine Devos, whom everyone in the industry knows by the nickname “Kti”, is one of the best paragliders in France. European champion in October 2022 in precision landing, the editor-in-chief of Parapente Mag has just won the 11th French championship title of her career in mid-March. She was present in Évry-Courcouronnes on a Wednesday for a session offered to students from Rosa-Parks high school.
How do you judge this initiative?
CATHERINE DEVOS. I find that to be quite exceptional. Even kids who see paragliding every day don’t have this type of offer. There, we offer paragliding to kids who had never seen one. Moreover, it is in a privileged place, here in Évry-Courcouronnes. Frankly, it can’t get any better. Not to mention the reception conditions for the students. There were three instructors, their two PE teachers and a volunteer. In a classic course, there is a ratio of two monitors for six students. There, we were more at one for three. They are truly spoiled and pampered.
And at the hardware level?
It’s the same. Each student has their sail and most of them are new. In terms of travel, I was surprised to see that they came by taxi to Parc Rondeau, because the bus is more expensive. I remind you that this is not a private high school, but a neighborhood high school. The students are in comfort and in the best conditions. Beyond these sessions, there are also plans for an end-of-year course organized in Clécy in Calvados. An outing that naturally makes teenagers dream.
How did you find the students?
I found them listening. And it’s preferable in paragliding, which remains an activity where you have to have your head on your shoulders and not do anything. But it’s like cycling or mountain biking, if you don’t want to fall. Now, paragliding remains an incredible activity. She learns to respect the elements. You can’t go paragliding if it’s too windy. And it takes a lot of humility to accept that. Somewhere, paragliding has to be earned. Paragliding shouldn’t be scary, it’s just gentle. This is why this activity is recommended for the elderly, sick, disabled and even for children. We note that there is always a before and an after having flown. We are no longer the same. It’s almost a drug, without the negative effects.
