This week, paragliders are filling the skies above Kazakhstan's Zhetysu region. Located in the southwest of the country, the area is considered one of top flying destinations and is gaining international recognition since paragliding in Kazakhstan is no longer just a tourist activity.
This summer, the country is hosting the first Paragliding World Cup in Central Asia, bringing together around 150 pilots from 33 countries.
Behind the prestigious event is the Virshki family, who have spent more than 15 years helping develop paragliding in Kazakhstan and promoting extreme sports in the country.
Igor Virshki founded the Tau Zhetysu tourism complex near the city of Tekeli. Over the years, the site has become one of Kazakhstan’s best-known paragliding locations, regularly attracting pilots from around the world.
Today, his son David Virshki is a paraglider world champion. He says it is a great honour to welcome the Paragliding World Cup to the place where his own flying journey began.
