I am not sure what it is about entrepreneurs that makes us risk taking thrill seekers, but every entrepreneur I know is an adrenaline junkie. We kite board, heli ski, race cars, and keep finding new creative ways to challenge ourselves.

Ever since I saw the glider scene with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo in The Thomas Crown Affair, I have been dying to try it. I enlisted my good friend and fellow entrepreneur Beatrice Tarka, CEO of travel search company Mobissimo and we embarked on our adventure.

When we got to the club, they gave us three options: a scenic, romantic ride, an intro lesson or a thrill seeker acrobatic ride. I suppose, that meant there was only one option 🙂 We opted for the Monterey Bay Acro Ride. Ever the gentleman, I let Beatrice go first 🙂

The flight starts with the glider towed to 8,000 feet over the Monterey Bay Area – flying over the Gabilan Mountain Range and the San Andreas Fault line. Once we reach 8,000 feet the acrobatics begin until 3,700 feet. I had never done acrobatics before and the G forces experienced are quite unique and tons of fun! It’s like being on a roller coaster to the power of 10 and the videos below don’t do justice to the experience! The pilot expertly did loops, barrel rolls, tail spins, humpty dumpty and tons of other maneuvers whose name I did not quite catch.

In addition to being a fantastic sensation, the view from the canopy is majestic! When you are inverted you can see the ground to the horizon in all directions and it’s a view to die for!

On the flight back, you get to fly the glider. It’s very much like flying a Piper or Cessna except you need to use more rudder.

Try it, it’s a unique experience!

Warning: Do not eat before doing acrobatics!