Currently LLSC chief coach.

Started paragliding in 1993 and usually flies a Nova Phantom, light green with white leading edge and a dark grey/black helmet. Fred lives in the Linlithgow area and flies mostly in the Borders and the hills north of the central belt.

I started flying in the early 1990's and after a slow start was travelling abroad having a ball and flying some competitions by the late 1990's, visiting South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, France, Czech Republic and West Africa . I remember that slow start, which is why I'm happy to be involved in coaching. The excitement of competitions didn't last for me but I still get abroad once or twice or three times a year. All flying is good, and I really enjoy a simple evening ridge soar as much as anything, but my favourite is a sunny cross country and I try to make the effort and travel to where the weather looks best. I don't have a favourite flying site but a good forecast for the Moorfoots gets me up early and raring to go. Correction: my favourite flying site is wherever you are in the second thermal having gone over the back.