SAFA Skysailor Magazine

59 SPRING 2025 | September-October-November SKY SAILOR injury forced me to slow down and think about what I really wanted. I’d seen friends get badly hurt, including one who became quadriplegic after an accident. I debriefed with a really diligent, experienced pilot after a major crash and realised that sometimes, even when you do everything right, things can still go wrong. That drove home how much risk is always there. Over time, I also noticed I was flying with a lot of tension and not enjoying it as much. I took a season off and found I didn’t miss it as much as I thought I would. I wanted to be able to watch others fly and feel happy for them, not just feel FOMO. I also wanted to leave on my own terms. I’ve seen others forced out of the sport by injury, and I wanted to make the decision myself, while I was healthy and grateful for all my experiences. Now, I’m excited to explore new interests and focus on living my values. Paragliding brought me to the mountains, but nature and community keep me here. I wouldn’t say I’ll never fly again, but am happy with my decision. Do you have a message you’d like to leave for women pilots in the community? Take the opportunity to get together and discover what female flying looks like. In my experience, the conversations are often different. Men often talk about the numbers: how high, how far, how long. Women tend to talk about the experience: how it felt, what they saw, who they shared the sky with. Not everyone fits those patterns, of course, but it’s refreshing when these perspectives are shared. And I found that when men are brought into those conversations, they enjoy them too. That is why women’s events matter. They create the space for these kinds of connections, and they remind us to make the time to fly and talk together. It enriches the whole community. This interview is part of a new series profiling women in our sports. If you know a pilot whose story should be shared, please reach out at safamarketing@adacy.com.au . We’d love to hear your suggestions for future articles! Kirsten’s story was included in the book ‘Take Flight’ by Kathy Mexted – about inspiring women pilots within less common forms of aviation, including paragliding.