Max Marien of Max Acro Paragliding Makes History with First Winch-Launch Acrobatic Paragliding World Record Attempts

(Isstories Editorial):- San Diego, California Oct 23, 2025 (Issuewire.com) – October 2025 marked a new milestone for acrobatic paragliding as Max Marien completed and submitted the first-ever winch-launched aerobatic “acro” record attempts under the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) framework. Record attempts vary by manuever and launch method. They are air launch like a helicopter or hot air balloon deployment, foot launch from a mountain or launched by a tow winch.  Over a series of flights, Max achieved 26 Misty Flips, 16 Twisters, and 60 Infinite Tumble rotations — all towed by winch over water — establishing the first world record submissions of their kind. 

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From Feat to Framework

In 2012, Max set the world record completing 374 Infinity Tumbling rotations by air launch — a groundbreaking personal milestone that showed what human endurance and control could achieve in paragliding. Now, thirteen years later, the focus isn’t on endurance, but definition: turning acro’s creative freedom into measurable progression and encouraging the next generation of acrobatic pilots to turn some of their attention to the potential of setting world records for the sport.

Why It Matters

These acrobatic categories have existed in the FAI Sporting Code since 2013, yet no pilot had ever officially submitted them until now. This effort fills that decade-long gap — setting a foundation for measurable growth in the sport. With these attempts FAI has been requested to ratify a total of 9 records overall for Max Marien: 3 national records (USA), 3 continental records (North America) and 3 world records.

Flight Overview

Location: Lake Berryessa, California (USA)
Date: October 4-5, 2025
Launch Method: Tow Winch (FAI-recognized launch method)
Wing: Air G Carlito

Harness: Independence Acro
Safety: Over-water operations, rescue teams and boats on site
Verification: qualified observer and multiple angle video review

About Max Marien

Max Marien is an American acrobatic paragliding pilot, instructor, and tandem instructor based in San Diego, California. Alongside his wife, Cheyanne Marien, Max co-founded Max Acro Paragliding (maxacro.com) specializing in SIV and Acro clinics along with paragliding trips; San Diego Paragliding School (sandiegoparaglidingschool.com) a beginner school for flight; and the largest online gear shop in California, Paragliding Planet (paraglidingplanet.com).  From his 374-rotation Infinite Tumble feat in 2012 to his 2025 winch-launch record submissions, Marien’s work focuses on turning flight into a measurable art form.

Disclaimer

All record performances have been submitted to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) for review and potential ratification. Records are not official until ratified by the FAI. These flights represent the first documented winch-launch record attempts for Misty Flip, Twister, and Infinite Tumble since their introduction to the FAI Sporting Code in 2013.

This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.