
07 Jun Ballooning
The Ivan Kristoff´s Flying Experience with Hot Air Balloons
Now, however, we shift from the sports theme to something connected to people who love to travel and explore tourism. If they happen to be in Rila over the weekend, they will witness something unique. The upcoming event features seven hot air balloons soaring over the Seven Rila Lakes. The idea for this flight came from Ivan Kristoff, who proposed it to Plamen Miryanov, while a small team of passionate air enthusiasts made it a reality. Two of them were met by Velina Kasheva and Ivan Kristo.
Flying—one of humanity’s oldest dreams—can now be fulfilled in so many ways. Ivan Kristoff shares firsthand experiences of many of them. Known to the world as the “Spider-Man,” he has conquered numerous locations, from the deepest cave in Bulgaria to the tallest tower in the world. He has saved many lives in mid-air. At some point, you reach the level where beyond the highest towers, only the sky remains. Our sky, our limit. But to me, the sky has no limits. That’s why my passion for flight, along with that of my friends, unites us in this endeavor.
Ivan says that in the air, his heart beats more calmly, and that all problems come from the ground. Having lived abroad for many years, he is now returning to show everyone how beautiful Bulgaria is from above. “We need to elevate ourselves even more. You see what is happening around us. I was recently abroad, and just as I was returning—these terrorism stories… I’m happy that Bulgaria is a small paradise that we must preserve, but also elevate to a much higher level. A whole new level—doing something unique, something that will captivate the world.”
The project of a group of friends and their ballooning dreams starts from Sofia, passing through Bansko, Bistritsa, and Belogradchik, and now reaching the Rila Lakes. As you know, this area is a protected zone. One of the goals of the event, aside from showcasing Bulgaria’s natural beauty and unique landscapes, is to capture them from an extraordinary aerial perspective—one of the most breathtaking vantage points. We also want to promote this area as a protected region, raising awareness about its rich biodiversity and, most importantly, the need to preserve it. Visitors should be mindful of their impact and adopt a responsible ecological approach.
The hot air balloons will be delivered to the field by helicopter to minimize environmental impact. We aim to popularize this sport further, introducing larger balloons to accommodate more people and even host airborne parties. However, the greatest joy lies in the serenity of the experience. A balloon is guided by warm air that fills it, yet it remains dependent on weather conditions. This is why we chose to fly at sunrise or sunset when thermal activity is most stable and the view is simply breathtaking. Imagine—your heart lifting with the rising sun, or bidding it farewell. It’s something truly incredible!
I strongly believe that this will be a magnificent experience—for those involved in the event, for those participating, and even for those watching from the ground. With your support, we will give everyone the chance to see this spectacle from a new perspective. What is it like to fly above the heart of Bulgaria? Watch at the beginning of the week in “The Day Begins.”
Hot Air Ballooning in Bulgaria
“We have to figure out better solutions than those who have tried before us, and discover the technological advantages that will lead us onward and upward. Some of the concepts for the M.A.R.S. projects will be tested first with a hot air balloon, because it is economically rational. That is why, I am working with T.E.A.M.”, says Ivan Kristoff
SECOND INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA “RIMSKA BANIA”
Ivan Kristoff and his friends introduced the members of Club Extreme to the world of light aviation.
Doing hat-trick in one day
For a single day tree members went airborne on a hot air balloon, moto paragliding and moto hangliding. In fact they did triple Flip side in the air.
The reason for this adventures event was to test the proper equipment for the MARS – Mid Air Ropeless Access project.
Special thanks to our friends from hotel “Rimska Bania” & БЪЛГАРСКА АСОЦИАЦИЯ НА ЛЕКАТА АВИАЦИЯ
Powered paragliding, is a form of ultralight aviation where the pilot wears a motor on his back (a paramotor) which provides enough thrust to take off using an adapted paraglider or paramotor wing. It can be launched in still air, and on level ground, by the pilot alone — no assistance is required. More photos…
Полети с пет балона в България
Привет любители на екстрмните спортове. Клуб Адреналин от Варна, организира едно страхотно събитие с пет топловъздушни балона в района на с. Кътина, около Нови Искър. Който желае да летим отново … да ни пише:)
III Международна Балон-фиеста «Римска баня 2014»
Club Extreme участва в Традиционният Международен фестивал на въздухоплаването Балон-фиеста «Римска Баня», който вече стана значимо авиационно мероприятие не само в България, но и зад граница и привлича както многобройни зрители, така и средствата за масова информация.
Oт 16 до 23 януари 2014 г. термо-СПА хотел „Римска баня” посрещнa членовете на Клуб EXTREME и гостите на Балон-фиестата. По време на това събитие, бе представена най-новата специализирана камера за биометрични и телеметрични данни.
A.I.R. Show 2015
Идеята за тази година е да се направят клипове и фото сесии за екстремни спортове, заснети от борда нa летателни и въздухоплавателни средства. Идеята бе подкрепена от колеги авиатори, пилоти и приятели.
“По този повод имам идея да създам Авио акробатичен екип, първият по рода си екип, извършващ аеро акробатични демонстрации на нов вид въздушни спасителни операции.
Ние трябва да измислим по-добри решения от тези, които са се опитали преди нас и да открием технологични предимства, които да ни изведат напред и нагоре”. казва Иван Кристоф.
The Presentation “Creating a volunteer rescue organization and Club EXTREME” showcases how Ivan Kristoff has trained friends and the media with rope access stunt work and elements of aerial rope rescue. This year we are building our Training Base at the bottom of Rila mountain, near a small airfield, where we will train and build our own training facility for paragliding and moto paragliding.
See the Ivan Krtistoff’s Ballooning Extreme Magazine