About UK Airsports
UK Airsports is a specialist technical paragliding equipment business based near Keswick, Cumbria in the English Lake District National Park and close to the Scottish border. The business was founded in 1993 by Patrick Holmes and is now a Limited Company (Ltd Co No 4713817).
We operate from an office and warehouse at the Blencathra Business Centre and distribute some of the worlds best paragliding, paramotor and free flight brands to a network of paragliding & paramotor schools, retailers and instructors around the UK and some operating abroad. If you can’t get to one of these then you can also buy accessories and spares directly from our online web shop. Ideally you should call us on 01768 779800 and we will try to help you source what you need and put you in touch with an appropriate retailer.
We currently distribute the following brands in the UK: Gin Gliders, Skywalk Paragliders, NEO harnesses, helmets and accessories, Flymaster Avionics, JDC Skywatch instruments, Stodeus Solar Paragliding Instruments, Peguet (Maillon Rapides), Austrialpin hardware…and others!
Our aim is to offer the best products combined with the best service possible to our retailers and customers. We have close relationships with our suppliers, and we are regularly involved in product conception, design and improvement.
Our staff are experienced and professional, but friendly and approachable; whether you’re a World Champion or a complete beginner, you’ll receive the same level of customer care.
We are available Monday-Friday 9.30am – 5.00pm on 01768 779800 and can be emailed on [email protected].
Staff Profiles
Patrick Holmes started the business in 1993 after previously working in the paragliding industry since 1989. Patrick worked for Lyon Equipment distributing Edel paragliders in the UK, in the early 1990’s he also worked as a development pilot and technical consultant for Edel Paragliders. Patrick became British Champion in 1994, XC League Champion in 1998, ranked 3rd in the World in 1993 and won many World Cup tasks. He has been a member of the British Team for FIA European and World Championships, winning an FIA Silver team medal in Japan in 1995.
Patrick no longer takes part in competitions but he still enjoys flying paragliders around the Lake District and snow kiting. Patrick’s current equipment of choice seems to vary day by day depending on mood – Cumeo2, Explorer 2, Bonanza 3, Pace. Usually with a Skywalk Range X-Alps3 lightweight harness or a GIN Genie Lite 3.
Mark Stuart helps with all aspects of the business, and has worked in paragliding since 1991. He first flew a paraglider in 1988, aged 17. In 1991 he started work for Jocky Sanderson at Eagle Quest, teaching paragliding and distributing paragliding equipment to UK schools.
In 1995 he moved to the newly established Sick and the Wrong in Keswick to help develop their paragliding department. In 1998 he joined Patrick to help distribute the newly established Gin Gliders brand, and has been here since.
Mark’s current wing is a GIN Yeti 6 21.
Richard Bungay Joined UK Airsports at the start of 2016, quickly establishing a role as UK Airsport’s technical guru. His background in electronics has been the perfect preparation for dealing with enquiries and servicing of our range of instruments, amongst other things.
Richard started flying in 1999, started flying competitions in 2004 and then got involved with organising the BPCup in 2006, the British Championships in 2007 and has served on the Competitions Panel Committee since as well as helping run the UK Paragliding XCLeague.
Richard spent a lot of time exploring and flying in the Alps with Steve Nash in their preparation for the Red Bull X-Alps in 2011 and 2015 where Richard was Steve’s team mate and flying support throughout the event.
Richard still loves to go flying whenever he can and currently flies his GIN Explorer 2 with a Genie X-Lite harness. As of April 2024 Richard has semi-retired but is still available for technical enquiries.
Nadja Sharman joined UK Airsports at the start of 2024 and is a very welcome addition to our team. Nadja works part time and is in charge of social media as well as office support. Nadja also runs her own successful translation company https://www.nadjasharman.com/