Woldingham instructor Andy Shaw, 60, won Masters bronze at the European Paragliding Accuracy Championships, Britain's first FAI medal in the sport for 10 years.

Andy Shaw, Chief Flying Instructor at Green Dragons Airsports in Woldingham, has won the Masters bronze medal at the 9th FAI European Paragliding Accuracy Championships in Romania. Green Dragons says it is Great Britain’s first FAI medal in paragliding accuracy for 10 years.

The championships were held in Uroi, Romania. Andy, who is 60, went as the British team’s head coach as well as a competitor, and every pilot in the British team flew with Green Dragons, the Woldingham school says.

Andy Shaw holding up a Union flag on the stage at the 9th FAI European Paragliding Accuracy Championship, Romania 2026, with a medal round his neck
Andy Shaw on the stage at the 9th FAI European Paragliding Accuracy Championship. Photo: supplied by Green Dragons Airsports

Landing on a target measured in centimetres

Accuracy is not the paragliding most people picture. In cross-country flying, pilots try to cover as much distance as they can. In accuracy, each pilot tries to land as close as possible to the centre of a small electronic target, and results are measured in centimetres, with the smallest distances winning.

Green Dragons sent us three clips of one of Andy’s landings in round seven of the competition.

Andy Shaw coming in to land on the target in round seven, filmed from beside the windsock. Video: supplied by Green Dragons Airsports
The same round seven approach seen from across the landing field. Video: supplied by Green Dragons Airsports
Andy Shaw under his paraglider in round seven, filmed from below. Video: supplied by Green Dragons Airsports

In his own words

Andy started flying in 1978 and became a Chief Flying Instructor at 18, which makes 42 years in the job. He is also the British Paragliding Accuracy Team Head Coach. He said:

“I’m incredibly proud of this achievement. I’ve been flying since 1978 and, alongside my role as British Team Head Coach, I’m proud to have fielded an entire British team made up of Green Dragons pilots.

“Through hard work and dedication, I’ve managed to secure a European podium finish at 60, and it’s given me a whole new lease of life. I reckon I’ll still be flying into my 90s!”

A man in a blue jacket placing a medal round Andy Shaw's neck as Andy holds a Union flag on the championship stage
Andy Shaw receives his bronze medal on the championship stage. Photo: supplied by Green Dragons Airsports

Next stop: a world championship in Thailand

The points Andy earned in Romania count towards the World Pilot Ranking System, and Green Dragons says they put him in a strong position for a place in the British team at the 2027 World Championships in Thailand. The team is due to be confirmed on 2 December 2026.

“To top it all off, my World Pilot Ranking points from this competition have put me in an incredibly strong position for selection to the British team for next year’s World Championships in Thailand. Official selection will be confirmed on 2 December, so I’ve got plenty to look forward to!”

Andy Shaw wearing his bronze medal and holding a Union flag in front of the FAI championship banner
Andy Shaw with his medal in front of the championship banner. Photo: supplied by Green Dragons Airsports

About Green Dragons Airsports

Green Dragons Airsports is a flying school at Warren Barn Farm on Slines Oak Road, Woldingham. It teaches paragliding, hang gliding, paramotoring and parascending, and says it is actively involved in developing competitive accuracy pilots and supporting British entries to international competitions.

What it means for you

If watching the clips has you wondering what it takes to land on a target from the air, the school whose pilots made up the whole British accuracy team is in Woldingham. Courses and contact details are on the Green Dragons website, or call 01883 652 666. The full press release from Green Dragons is here.

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