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Richard Parks enjoys extreme adventures right on his doorstep in Wales

Former Welsh rugby international turned endurance athlete Richard Parks is out to prove he can have extreme adventures right on his doorstep in Wales

Richard Parks

Luke Lovell

Extreme Wales with Richard Parks: Series 2: Episode 3

extreme-wales_0917_s02e03_claire-belby.jpg

Episode 3

Series 2

BBC One - Extreme Wales with Richard Parks, Series 2, Episode 3

Richard Parks seeks to master paramotoring in order to travel the length of Wales.

Richard Parks undertakes extreme adventures in Wales. On his toughest challenge yet, Richard seeks to master paramotoring in order to travel the length of Wales, south to north.

In this second series of Extreme Wales with Richard Parks, the former Welsh rugby international turned endurance athlete is, once again, setting out to prove he can find extreme adventures right on his doorstep, in Wales. 

In this final episode of the current series, Richard is on his toughest challenge yet, taking on an extreme adventure that he has never attempted before. He has just ten days to learn how to fly a paramotor, a whole new skill for Richard. Paramotoring, which is similar to paragliding, uses a parachute canopy to carry the pilot through the air, but with the addition of a motor-powered propeller strapped to their back. This makes it faster and more manoeuverable. If Richard can master this marvel of the skies, he will attempt to journey the length Wales, from south to north, on a two-day aerial expedition. Along the way he will be given guidance and training from paramotoring expert and world-class flight instructor Alex Ledger and his team. Alex must prepare Richard, build his abilities and make him safe to fly as he faces real dangers in front of him whilst thousands of feet in the air. 

First, he will learn to master the paramotor's canopy, or wing as it's known, grappling to control its often temperamental behaviour. He'll practise the tricky art of landing as he glides from a 100ft hill with the aim of hitting a predetermined landing zone. He must then turn his attention to the small, but powerful, 25 horsepower motor which will be his key to remaining in control in the air and will be used to adjust his speed and change his direction. If successful with these endeavours, he will put all of his new-found skills together and attempt his first solo flight with a paramotor, a heart-stopping moment for Richard.

But the challenge doesn't stop there. The next task is to tackle the tempestuous skies of Wales, battling high winds which can create terrifying turbulence, and avoiding rain which can fill the canopy and cause it to collapse in less than ten minutes, both of which can send the pilot plummeting to the ground. If he stands any chance of completing his flying expedition, he will have to wait for the perfect weather conditions. But in Wales, these windows in the weather are few and far between, and when they do arrive, they don't last long.

Extreme Wales with Richard Parks: Series 2

BBC One Wales

Richard Parks partakes in extreme adventures in Wales

Former Welsh rugby international turned endurance athlete Richard Parks partakes in extreme adventures in Wales

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Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

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