Ari Walker, Leo Geary Memorial Trophy 2026 winner

Louis Tapper statement about Ari Walker 

This year's Leo Geary Trophy prize goes to Ari based on his impressive flights, for a first time competitor, in the NZ Paragliding Nationals, which were centred on Nelson.  Overall competition results - Ari Walker in 10th position.  Ari’s four track logs. 

Ari has been leading the charge with adventure kayaking on the West Coast of NZ and around the world, including multiple first descents. If you haven’t read his teams blog, it’s a great window into that world: https://gradientandwater.blogspot.com/?m=1 

I’ve always thought kayakers make some of the best paraglider pilots, that understanding of flow, reading the line, and the way a good thermal turn can feel a bit like carving on a river. That said, it doesn’t make anyone special or immune to accidents, careful progression and the right attitude are what deliver longevity in this sport (and life). 

Ari aspires to be a packrafter so paragliding has thankfully saved him from this fate, for now ;-) He’s already combining flying and kayaking. 

And somehow that’s only part of the story. He’s also building his own plane, and he’s already innovated on accessing kayaking via paramotoring. Classic Ari: if there isn’t a clean way in, he’ll just build one. 

And I’m sure the trophy will sit beautifully in Hokitika Airport Terminal 2.

Ari Walker's statement

I started paragliding in 2019 as a companion sport to keep me entertained on days when I was not whitewater kayaking. However between work and, travel and kayaking I have somehow not found the time to really pursue flying until the last 12 months. Over the last year I have truly discovered the joy of free flight and am excited for it to take me on bigger adventures in the future. My passion has always been for adventure and I believed hike and fly/vol biv were to be what would motivate my flying career hence my surprise at how much I enjoyed flying at the 2026 NZ Nationals. The companionship, challenge and competitiveness of flying in my first competition was amazing, I am thrilled with my performance during the competition and am looking forward to the next one. 

It is an honor to not just be considered for but to be awarded the Leo Geary Memorial Trophy. Thank you to everyone who was involved in both organising and those who participated in the recent National Paragliding championships and especially those who took the time to stop and offer advice, guidance and wisdom to us newer pilots.

He sent these photos (click a small image to see the full size photo).

Back to Leo Geary Trophy page.

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