Sky Summits Team

Meet the Sky Summits Team

At Sky Summits, we’re more than just guides—we’re passionate pilots who live and breathe paragliding. Our team is made up of highly experienced, certified instructors and XC specialists, with years of flying experience across the world’s top sites. Most of us have known and worked with each other for over a decade, making it a tightly knit team. Whether you’re chasing personal bests or simply soaking in the scenery, we're here to help you level up your flying game.

Debu Choudhury

XC & Vol Biv Guide, SIV Instructor

Born and raised in the picturesque town of Manali, Debu's passion for paragliding ignited at 16 when he left school to pursue the skies. With over 25 years of flying experience, he pioneered routes like the first Bir to Manali flight in 2000. In April 2018, Debu set a regional record with a 256 km flight, marking the largest flat triangle flown in Asia. Fluent in English, Italian, French, Hindi, and Pahari, Debu now lives in the Chartreuse area of France, where he works as a French Instructor and Tandem Pilot during the summer. With thousands of hours in the air and a deep love for adventure, Debu is our top lead guide on high-altitude adventures and serene bivouac missions.

Pete Gallagher

CFI - Air Experience School, Tandem Pilot

A revered figure in the paragliding community, Pete is the Chief Flying Instructor for our Air Experience and Tandem Operations. With two decades of paragliding experience, his background includes a distinguished Army career, extensive skydiving, and BASE jumping. Pete's expertise spans cross-country flying, tandem piloting, and speed flying, making him a versatile and knowledgeable instructor. He has a calm, encouraging coaching style and a knack for making even the most technical aspects of flying feel effortless.

Chris White

XC Guide, Tandem Pilot

With over 30 years of paragliding experience, Chris is a highly respected Senior Instructor and XC guide. His passion for free flight has taken him across the globe, from the Alps to the Andes, mentoring pilots of all levels to improve their thermaling and XC strategy.

His depth of knowledge, patient teaching style, and strategic mindset make him an invaluable coach, whether you’re looking to break into XC flying, fine-tune your competition skills, or simply enjoy an epic day in the sky.

Eddie Colfox

XC Guide, Tandem Pilot

Eddie's paragliding adventures have led him on multiple expeditions to the Himalayas. In 2002, he co-pioneered the breathtaking flying region of Hunza in Pakistan, documenting his high-altitude experiences in the short film "Hypoxia." With over 15 years as an instructor and a decade as a paragliding school owner in the UK, Eddie has also dedicated two full winters to teaching in India during the mid-90s. His extensive experience and passion make him an exceptional guide for pilots seeking to elevate their skills.

Stefan Bernhard

XC Guide, Competition Mentor

Stefan's paragliding journey began in the 1990s alongside his role as a fighter pilot in the German Air Force. Now retired from military service, he competes in Paragliding World Cups and various national events, securing a top 20 world ranking as part of the German team. Stefan enjoys both tranquil evening flights and challenging all-day cross-country expeditions. He is dedicated to mentoring pilots, breaking down complex techniques with precision to enhance their competitive skills.

Corentin Lami

XC Guide

Flying since the age of 13, Coco is an accomplished competition pilot with a zest for global exploration. His charismatic humor and natural flying talent make him a standout member of the team. Coco has guided and flown in countries including India, France, Colombia, Macedonia, Spain, and Italy, with a particular fondness for St. André in France.

Richard Binstead

XC & Vol Biv Guide, Redbulls xAlps Athlete

With over a decade of flying experience, Rich specializes in adventure flying and Vol Biv expeditions. His competitive resume includes the X-Pyr 2022 and Red Bull X-Alps 2023, alongside numerous cross-country competitions. Rich possesses in-depth knowledge of Northern India's terrains, complemented by extensive flying in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. As an instructor and tandem pilot in Australia, he emphasizes safety, effective communication, and adaptability in guiding. Rich's laid-back Australian demeanor fosters a welcoming atmosphere for all pilots.

Antoine Laurens

XC Guide

𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙚 began flying in 1992 when he was seventeen years young. A top vol-biv pilot, Antoine crossed over a 1,400 km route of the Himalayas in 2010, in which he flew from Dharamshala to the Nepal / Sikkim border, the longest unsupported vol-bivouac trip in history. He’s also flown unsupported vol biv through much of the Sierra Nevada in the Sierra Safari. Antoine has not only found amazing flying lines in India but also lovely human souls. Antoine also has a gift for imparting his hard-won knowledge in many languages.

Foram Pandya

Co-Founder, XC Guide, Tandem Pilot

Every great flying adventure relies on seamless logistics and expert planning, and that’s where Foram comes in. She ensures that everything runs smoothly so you can focus on flying. Flying since 2006, Foram is a talented and passionate pilot who enjoys flying flatlands the most. She is also a BHPA AEI and guides on most XC trips.