Page 78 - Cross Country Travel Guide 2019

THE SERTÃO,

BRAZIL

ike the South in the USA, Brazil’s Sertão has no fixed
borders, and yet it is a region rich in history and culture.
LYou know it when you’re there. It covers much of Brazil’s
northeast, a semi-arid landscape dotted with towns and villages
connected by dusty roads and hours of travel. Land out and the
sun beats down mercilessly. The locals meanwhile invite you into

their homes and embrace you and your mission to their hearts.
The free-flying site of Quixadá is well-known as a jumping-off
point for flights up to 450km here. Its world record crown may
have been taken by the tricky site of Tacima further southeast, but
it is still the place to come if you want to fly far.
Chasing records however is now a different game. Towing has
taken off. Tour guide Fly With Andy showed the potential first in
2017, when a gaggle of Swiss paraglider pilots flew 500km in an

attempt to break the world record. The year after, the Brazilians
established their own long-distance tow camp. Neither got the
record. For the Oct/Nov 2019 season then, the game is now on to
be the first to fly more than 600k. Can you even imagine it?
flywithandy.com, pedradosventos.com.br
Photo: Felix Wölk

78 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 SERTÃO