As the Northern Hemisphere rests in the midst of winter, many pilots are already eagerly looking forward to the spring thermals, which will be here before we know it. If you have a new wing, want to polish your SIV skills, or even take a first time course, check out some of the SIV courses being offered by Ozone Team Pilots. Ralf Reiter of Airsthetik in Austria will be offering courses this spring and summer at Monte Baldo, Italy, over the beautiful Lake Garda. Ralf's courses are DHV certified and he has been flying acro for almost 20 years! Together with Schorsch Hoecherl, from the flight center Bayerwald in Bavaria, these courses are highly professional and well organized at an amazing site with 1700m (5610 feets) of vertical over a beautiful lake. For more info on the courses or Airsthetik's winter tours to Iquique (Also highly recommended), check out www.airsthetik.at Ozone Test Pilot Pilot Russ Ogden holds annual courses in Oludeniz, Turkey, which are highly sought after and have limited space. For more info, contact Russ at Russ-AT-flyozone.com Jocky Sanderson, legendary XC Coach and SIV Instructor, also runs tours at various times of the year. Escape XC is devoted to helping pilots of all abilities and levels to enjoy increased confidence and flying skill through personalized XC and SIV courses. Jocky's courses fill up early, so check out www.escapexc.com/ to learn about his upcoming clinics and adventures. Matt Combs of Jackson Hole Paragliding is one of North America's most esteemed SIV instructors and one of the USA's earliest and most experienced acro pilots. Jackson Hole Paragldiing offers coaching and instruction near their base in Jackson, WY. Check out www.jhparagliding.com/ for more info. If you've ever dreamed of soaring the world famous Dune du Pyla and tracing your thoughts in the sand as Charlie Piccolo did in the short film, 'Because...', then dream no longer. This summer, head out to the Dune and fly with Charlie himself, at the dune, where he trains pilots of all abilities to waga like a pro. More at www.waggaschool.com

Birdwing (Ozone Switzerland) is also running SIV courses over the beautiful lake of Brienz near Meiringen, Switzerland, for more info go to www.birdwing.ch