Wanaka hike & fly 2025
5th edition, 22-24 February 2025
The 2025 Wanaka Hike & Fly was blessed with fantastic weather, with all three days being flyable! Held from February 22-24 in Wanaka, New Zealand, this year’s event saw a record 52 pilots, including more overseas competitors than in any of the previous four editions. We also had a handful of local pilots who were eager to explore the stunning backcountry of the Southern Alps.
Day 1 (22 Feb 2025)
Day 1 kicked off with clear skies and a gorgeous morning, though the wind picked up from the southwest in the afternoon. Most pilots headed to Breast Hill and Grand View, while others tagged Mt Maude first, but Hawea Range offered better flying conditions. By the end of the day, 27 pilots had camped at the Pakituhi Hut Night Turnpoint, ready for another day of adventure.
Day 2 (23 Feb 2025)
Day 2 was a real cracker of a day! Pilots flew stunning routes along McKerrow, Huxley and Barrier Ranges, and through the Matukituki area. Many ventured deep into the backcountry, making tough decisions about which turnpoints to chase, while others stuck closer to Wanaka.
Day 3 (24 Feb 2025)
On the final day, the conditions remained flyable until 2pm, when the wind finally kicked in. Most pilots took a more conservative line, ensuring they reached the finish line before the 5pm deadline.
Top Performance
Shane Tighe claimed the top spot with a commanding lead. After finishing third in last year’s X-Pyr and currently preparing for his first RedBull X-Alps, Shane flew an epic line north along Barrier Range, top-landed, tagged the Mt Shrimpton turnpoint on foot, and camped in the wilderness. On Day 2, he glided to Mt Brewster, then flew south to Sentinel Peak, before crossing Wanaka Lake and heading towards Mt Albert and high over East Matukituki. He spent the night at the Hidden Lakes Night Turnpoint, and on the final day, Shane flew back to Wanaka, tagging Black Peak and a few more turnpoints on the way. His performance put him well ahead of the pack.
Ryan Vorster came in second place. After starting Day 1 on the ground, Ryan bravely hiked to bag a few turnpoints on Hawea Range. On Day 2, he launched from Breast Hill, flew a stunning line up Huxley Range, and back via McKerrow Range. On the final day, he hiked and flew from Roys Peak to Middle Peak, finishing just in time for the 5pm deadline.
Vlastimil Hosek claimed third place, entering the race at the last minute after another athlete withdrew. Vlastimil hiked all the way to to Mt Prospect on Day 1, bivvied, then flew across Ahuriri to Mt St Mary and Mt Huxley. He spent the third day on foot, tagging a couple more turnpoints before making it to the finish in Pembroke Park.
first woman and amazing sportsmanship
In the women’s category, Natasha Nilsen was the first woman to cross the line. Not only did she complete some awesome flights and brave hikes, but she also helped a fellow athlete in need. Natasha’s sportsmanship was a perfect reminder that while the race is competitive, the community comes first.
Adventure of the year
The Adventure of the Year Award went to Kyle Utley, who took it to the next level after a bold flight and unplanned landing in Albert Burn (aka “you better have a friend with a boat” territory). Kyle bushwhacked nearly 50km along the lake and even threw in some bonus glides just to reach civilization. Now that’s an adventure! As a prize, Kyle chose to trade in the wilderness for a day of mountain biking with Bike Glendhu @bikeglendhu, with epic views of Lake Wanaka.
mt Outdoors Mad Hiker
The MT Outdoors Mad Hiker Award went to Elliott O’Brien, who started by hiking from Gladstone Beach to End Peak—and then he just kept going, rescuing puppies along the way and keeping everyone entertained with his updates!
mitre 10 Mega Wanaka Selfie
This year, we again had a special waypoint at Mitre10 Mega Wanaka, where athletes could earn 1 point for tagging the store and an extra point for a selfie in front of it. The first athlete to do so won a portable BBQ, and this year it was Phillipp Brown who claimed the prize. He’s now hosting a BBQ party to celebrate!
Reflection from Kinga, our Race director
When I first dreamed about this event, I had so many questions—how could we make it work in the remote Southern Alps, with few roads, patchy cell reception, and a small community? How could we create a race that would be open to both elite athletes and those just stepping into the world of hike-and-fly?
Five years later, the Wanaka Hike & Fly has grown into the largest and most established hike-and-fly event in the Southern Hemisphere, and the biggest paragliding race in New Zealand!
For some, it’s about pushing hard, flying deep, and going for the win. But for most, it’s about learning, stepping into the world of vol-bivouac adventures, and having an epic weekend with friends in the mountains.
The social vibe, community spirit, and the “Bivvy” & “Social” bonus points are what really make WHF so special. The heart of this event is the incredible people—pilots, supporters, and volunteers—who help lift each other up. I’m so proud of what we’ve built, and we can’t wait to see everyone at WHF 2026!
2025 Results
WHF race director awarded with International FAI Air sports medal
Congratulations to WHF Race Director Kinga Masztalerz for receiving the prestigious International FAI Air Sport Medal.
Kinga is an outstanding ambassador for the sport of free flight, having represented NZ twice at the X-Alps. She established for our flying community Hike & Fly Events in Wanaka putting NZ on the world stage. Kinga’s coaching programs empower others to overcome fear and embrace the skies. So well deserved – bravo Kinga!
Pictured is Emlyn Revell-Nash NZHGPA Vice President and WHF participant presenting to Kinga at the 5th Wanaka Hike & Fly prize giving, shared with over 50 competitors and friends – Nice surprise.