We would like to introduce Guillaume Gensse: he founded his company Plume Distribution in Annecy specifically to import the German brand UP to France.
How did you get into flying, Guillaume?
I started out in outdoor sports before quickly specializing in paragliding professionally. I worked with Fabien Blanco as manager of Flyeo for two years. But it became too intense for my work-life balance. Then I was a sales representative at Supair for six years. It was a great experience, which I can now build on with UP.
Why did you choose UP?
UP has been around since 1972. I think it's great to work with a brand that has been in business for so long and has shaped the industry from the beginning. But in the end, the deciding factor was test flying the current UP paragliders. They are designed with exceptional maneuverability, and you can feel it in flight: the communication between the wing and the pilot is excellent, as is the performance. After more than six years as a sales representative at Supair, I also needed a new challenge. I found it in the goal of relaunching UP in France. Fun fact: When David, the sales manager at UP, asked me at the 2024 Coupe Icare if I knew of a potential distributor for UP in France, I didn't know how to answer at the time. It was only about two months later, looking at myself in the mirror, that I thought, “Hey, why not do it myself?”
What is the paragliding scene talking about at the moment?
Prices are a hot topic, and always have been. My experience in the industry shows me that it has become more difficult for manufacturers and retailers to be competitive. If you take a close look at the list of all the components used at UP, you can understand the differences in price, but above all in quality! Using only the best materials available on the market makes paragliders expensive. Sometimes too expensive to remain attractive compared to other products. The challenge is to find the ideal compromise between high-end materials, durability, and price. As the trend towards lightweight equipment continues—even in France, where coastal pilots are also very present—this area will undoubtedly remain exciting in the years to come. It's a good thing that UP offers many different models in its range. I am convinced of their overall quality, and the feedback I receive on durability is also positive.
What do you think of the new UP 2-liner TORRE?
2-liners in the C segment are increasingly in demand. The fact that the TORRE is “only now” coming onto the market may be an advantage, as it has allowed the developers to work on the lack of maneuverability that was a disadvantage of the first generations of C 2-liners. This UP model is equipped with winglets for the first time, which indicates that this is precisely where the focus has been. Winglets are generally there to give a very agile and fast wing the necessary directional stability, while also enhancing passive safety. But only as much as necessary, without compromising the rest of the design. In short, I'm really looking forward to testing this wing myself!
You now sponsor many events – why?
With so many brands on the market right now, customers sometimes find it difficult to make a decision. I think trying it out—borrowing a demo wing and testing it yourself—is still the best way to find the right paraglider. That's why I've bought a lot of demos and support flying events by lending out paragliders wherever possible. Whether it's for a competition or a casual hike & fly. There doesn't always have to be something to win. Delicious waffles at the summit, like at GoFrêtes, are also a nice touch. And spending a day together in the mountains is always a good idea!