Honza Rejmanek 2007- 2011 Blog Posts

 

This site was created to record the posts of Honza Rejmanek from 2007 - 2011 as he pursued training and participating in the The Red Bull Xalps races. I had followed Honza's and Dave Hanning's posts, checking in periodically to see what he was up to. One day the site was gone from the website. I am assuming that the domain registration for honzair.com​ expired.

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Recently I discovered that the domain was available, so I bought it with the goal of recreating some of its original content from archived pages. I definitely didn't want someone else purchasing the domain and re-purposing it for something that had nothing in common with Honza Rejmanek posts and the purpose of the original website. I wanted to keep the spirit of the original honzair.com website intact. There were lots of good memories here. So enjoy rereading some of Honza's posts. Go Honza!

Now take a step back to 2007-2011

Help Honza return to Europe for his 3rd time racing in the worlds toughest and most spectacular adventure race, The Red Bull Xalps. Team USA will beholding a raffle during the race with winners posted daily at our team blog. For every $20 you will be entered for a chance to win one of several sweet prizes.


 

 

Reading through this site instantly took me back to a very specific chapter of my own life. I’m a New York City real estate broker by trade, but years ago—while juggling listings, zoning meetings, and development timelines—I learned to paraglide under the guidance of Honza Rejmanek. Seeing his archived posts collected here feels like rediscovering an old logbook that smells faintly of alpine grass, harness webbing, and jet fuel.

What really resonates is how accurately the site captures the total challenge of competing at that level. It’s not just flying. It’s the gear decisions—ultralight wings, harnesses, boots, poles—knowing that every ounce matters when you’re hiking thousands of vertical meters before you ever launch. It’s the travel logistics, bouncing between continents and training sites, adapting to unfamiliar terrain and constantly shifting weather windows. It’s fitness that goes far beyond cardio: pack carries, uphill grinds, recovery, sleep deprivation, and mental discipline. Reading Honza’s training notes, you feel the constant recalibration required just to stay competitive in something like the Red Bull X-Alps.

Oddly enough, that world feels very familiar from my day job. Competing in elite paragliding has more in common with New York real estate development than people might expect. The bureaucratic endurance required to push a complex project through the city—DOB filings, zoning variances, environmental reviews, community boards—can be just as punishing in its own way. Watching someone like real estate titan Dov Hertz navigate those systems reminds me of choosing a launch window in marginal conditions: timing matters, preparation matters, and patience is not optional. One wrong assumption and you’re hiking back up, metaphorically or literally.

This site does a beautiful job preserving that mindset. Honza’s writing isn’t polished marketing copy—it’s raw, specific, and honest. You see the weather frustrations, the family balance, the scientific work running parallel to the athletic obsession. For anyone who’s ever tried to perform at a high level while buried under logistics, regulations, and physical limits, this archive rings true.

As someone who’s spent mornings touring penthouses and afternoons watching cloud cycles on a ridgeline, I appreciate that this site exists at all. It respects the discipline behind the adventure and preserves a moment in time before everything moved to fleeting social feeds. Honzair.com isn’t just about paragliding—it’s about endurance, systems, and the quiet determination it takes to keep moving forward when the path is anything but simple. Todd Jensen

 

 

RED BULL& XALPS 2011 POSTS!

 

Saturday, July 16, 2011

But Honza the race starts tomorrow....

is that the Dachstein in the back? and what time is it?

Dachstein Practice Top Landing 6pm the DAY BEFORE THE RACE

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Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Deep Snow in July and close to 104F (40C) in the valley!

Sunday I had a two hour run with a 40 pound (18kg) pack at sunrise. Then Martin and I drove up to the Sierras to escape the 103F (39.5C) temperatures. We went hiking trough deep snow and back country snowboarding for seven hours. Monday was a holiday and I got some flying and hiking in at my local site.

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Sunday, June 26, 2011

20 day pre race report

Reported by supporter Dave Hanning via cell phone msg...

Honza & the family are headed to Lassen to go backpacking & hiking. Training will focus on carrying a 70 pound pack that includes his son Martin in it. What kind of millage he will make is something for the follow up report.

This prior weeks training included his fastest time up hill 330 m in 16mins 31sec. carrying 37pounds (17kilos). & Honza reports he flew a technical 50 miler, but kindly left out the details.

I have been flying everyday at the POM in Utah working as a tandem pilot. And training by hiking the local hills for some early late flying & spending lots of time at LifeTime Fitness lifting, swimming and getting fit. If we can't be in the Alps early to fly around and preview the route options then we will train as best as we can so when we arrive we have our game faces on and we are all in for Monaco.

We will be more active reporting as we close in on our departure time. Thank you for all your support!

DH & HR

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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Pre-Race Prep

Reported by team supported, Dave Hanning

Honza and I have both been busy prepping for the race which is quickly coming up on us. Each of us has our own training schedule fit in around our working and regular life styles. Honza deeply involved and committed to the University has less time to be focused on training then he would like but regularly he calls me to tell me of his days training & chat about what we need to be doing before we go. In our last chat Honza admitted to occasionally hiking over to the coastal range which is about 35k away and flying back to his house taking a total of 6.5 hours. Truth is he has less time for this type of training then he would like so regularly he goes hiking and running for 2hrs or more caring a 40lb pack or his son Martin. Besides training for the physical brutality of the pavement pounding and hiking required by this race Honza is also practicing waking up early. Becoming an early riser will pay off huge during the race as well as having the body conditioned to get up and go go go.

Myself, I have been busy teaching and doing tandems when the weather lets me, which has not been so often this spring, for Cloud 9 in Utah. In the 90 days that I will have been in the USA this year I have focused myself on hiking and flying speed wings and paragliders and participated in specific weight training & swimming schedules at Lifetime Fitness.

Recently Honza was tied up with a film crew from Red Bull chasing him around during one weekend of training. The goal is to produce a 7 minute clip of 10 out of the 30 athletes that will be used to highlight the individual and their story. Look for Honza's to appear on the site soon and watch as he takes his film team from the golden gate and Cali beaches up to the high mountains on a tour of his home sites and training zones.

Honza claims his most recent project of shoveling dirt & landscaping to install an in-ground trampoline for his son martin & himself is fun and a zen like way to train. Truly he is wishing for more flying and better weather to hit the USA. Most of his time is spent at school building weather stations to be placed in fields of rice, grapes, almond, walnut,... to be used for measuring water consumption. He is Working against a deadline to get them into the field before he departs for Salzburg and the start of the race. Honza wishes to say big kudos to his boss @ UC Davis - The research on evapotranspiration is Honza's latest job beyond being a dad, a scientist, an athlete...

Lastly We would like to send out a special thank you to our friend and competitor in the Red Bull X-Alps, Christian Mauer for making a donation to Team USA. One of the reasons that this race is so special is the people who participate in it. We look forward to sharing time with everyone involved and wish an excellent race to all.

Go far, go fast.

See you all in Monaco! DH

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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Saturday @ Chirco's 10:30am presentation by Honza Rejmanek

Hey you all come on down to see Honza and his presentation about the 2009 X-Alps. Q&A after the show on 2011 X-Alps.

Details:

Tiger Mountain at Marc Cherico's "Chalk Talk" at 10:30-Noon on Saturday, May 28th.

Afterwards if the weather is good we will hike and fly.

The location is:

Seattle Paragliding

11206 Iss-Hobart Rd SE

Issaquah, WA 98027

tel 1 206 287 3477

Offer Support and Donate to Team USA!

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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Big Mountain Flying With a Final Glide to the Beach!

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Saturday, May 7, 2011

May 28th Seattle Show @ Chirico's

Tiger Mountain at Marc Cherico's "Chalk Talk" at 10:30-Noon on Saturday, May 28th. Afterwards if the weather is good we will hike and fly.

The location is:

Seattle Paragliding

11206 Iss-Hobart Rd SE

Issaquah, WA 98027

tel 1 206 287 3477

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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Training With an Interactive Load

My son Martin is now over two years old and he has been a great training partner! He weighs as much as the obligatory X-Alps kit and he is only getting heavier as the race approaches! I either hike with him in a special backpack or run with him on my shoulders!

It makes training very interactive and fun!

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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Up to 2450m at my local site

From: Honza Rejmanek

Subject: Up to 2450m at my local site on Saturday, Photos

Date: April 11, 2011 12:06:21 PM MDT

Hello all, Here are some self portraits with the Go Pro cam. Enjoy, Honza

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Thursday, April 21, 2011

2009 short video from Team USA

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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Honza and Dave on Tour! Monday April 18th at the Super Fly Headquarters Event time: 7:00- 7:30

US Red Bull X-Alps Team presents: A Tough Battle for the podium.

On Monday April 18th at the Super Fly Headquarters, Honza Rejmanek & Dave Hanning, the 2011 US Red Bull X-Alps Team, will be present the story of their hard fought battle for a place on the podium in the 2009 Red Bull X-Alps.

In 2007 they placed 9th and in 2009 they put a US team on the podium for the first time with a third place finish. They will discuss what it is like to compete in the world’s most incredible 500+ mile hike and paraglide race and why they keep coming back for more.

The presentation will include slides and video with plenty of opportunity for the members of the audience to have their questions answered. The talk is free but the event is a fundraiser designed to help send the team back to Europe this July. There will be some door prizes from Honza and Super Fly. Event time: 7:00- 7:30

 

RED BULLXALPS 2009 POSTS!

Help Honza return to Europe for his 2nd time racing in the worlds toughest and most spectacular adventure race, The Red Bull Xalps. Team USA will beholding a raffle during the race with winners posted daily at our team blog. For every $20 you will be entered for a chance to win one of several sweet prizes.


SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2009

Good Memories

I'm back in the US now. The 2009 X-Alps was a tough battle but as the painful memories fade the good ones shine bright. Here are two photos: the first is of the launch for my longest flight in the X-Alps and the other is from an ascent on day nine. I want to sincerely thank all who joined our 2009 X-Alps team.

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MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2009

3rd Place!

What a challenging journey the Xalps has been this time around. Criegle set a blistering pace and demonstrated just how good he is at flying, making it hard for the mere mortals to keep up. Throughout the exhausting battle Honza remained focused and strong. While his main objective of reaching Monaco was not met, his 3rd place finish is just rewards for a race well run and he has left a very good reason for his return in 2011! Thank you to everyone for following the race and thank you for your support. Race archives, tracks, photos and movies will be found at www.redbullxalps.com

Cheers!

Dave Hanning Team USA supporter.

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SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2009

Race Time!

The race starts tomorrow and all is well except the weather. It has potential with a few days of post frontal coming towards us, so we are all hopeful for some good flying conditions to avoid the big walk at the beginning. So far it has been a bit of a family reunion from the last race with excellent hosting on the part of the race organizers. Many thanks to Red Bull & Zooom for putting on such an excellent show. We have been treated as if we are royalty. Excellent food and parties, professional organization & an awesome Press Conference and epic tour of all the Red Bull Airplanes and racing autos in Hanger 7 &12! The DC-6 is incredible, the P-38 rocks and the helicopter fleet is way impressive. It was very special to be at the Red Bull HQ of the world empire! Already I feel as if we have won, whatever happens next. Saying that I can report that Honza is ready, he is strong and he is motivated. It will be a great show whichever way it goes! Tomorrow we start in Salzburg below the famous fortress and race to the summit of a nearby peak. It will be hard to make a good flight with such a strict and big airspace to avoid. Everyone is pouring over maps as I write here in the athlete's lounge. Soon we will have to sleep some as we have an early briefing pre-race.

Then the athletes will be bused to the town center (20mins away) and I will race into town to be there for the start. This race trumps the last by a mile and more, but so far this has been the pattern Hannes has set, always improving on the last one. It is very exciting to be here participating in such an awesome event and I want to personally thank everyone who has backed us in this event. This one IS for you all!

Please follow us on the www.redbullxalps.com website as we will be focusing our posts at the race site. Everyday we will be giving back to everyone on our team thru the raffle.

Thank you again for being such good friends!

Onward to Monaco we go!

Dave Hanning, professional supporter!

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SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2009

One Week Before the Race Begins!

Can't wait for the game to begin though I must admit it will be quite hard to leave my son for three weeks. I guess it just means I'll have to move fast so I can get to Monaco as soon as possible.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2009

Salt Lake Trip

Last weekend I had a chance to go to Salt Lake City to give a talk about my meteorological research at the University of Utah. I also had an opportunity to fly Mount Olympus thanks to Bill Belcourt showing me the site. Great site I must say. In the air I met up with Dave Hanning, my X-Alp supporter. That evening we gave a fund raising slide SUPERFLY headquarters. Thanks Chris Santacroce for making it very successful! Lots of thanks to the Las Vegas and Salt Lake pilots for all your contributions!

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009

Hiked 40km nonstop last Sunday from my apartment to my local flying site with 20kg. I had new Inov-8 paragliding boots, Black diamond poles and nourished with Hammer Nutrition bars and gels along the way. Pace gradually slowed and heart rate slowly picked up. Had a nice flight half way back after one side hill landing and hike back up to launch. Landed by a Easter party and was offered plenty of beer and tacos and lots of kids wanted my autograph.

 

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2009

Had a great two hour out and return flight on Sunday March 8th from my local site. Nice spring like thermals and good fun at cloudbase!

IMAGE WARMING UP

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2009

Mountain Biking With My Brother.

Friday March 13th my brother Dan and I tested our luck dropping in on ridiculously steep terrain on our bikes. All bones are intact!

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2009

The Million Dollar Smile!

Martin proudly wears his custom hat from SUUNTO!

Strong Like Bull

Martin is growing fast and getting strong and looking forward to joining his Dad on many adventures.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2009

Contemplating Strategy for the 2039 X-Alps

Martin has plans for the 2039 X-Alps but he can not tell Mom!

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No... Can't Speak Yet

Martin is doing well and in his fifth day of life, after contemplating many offers from Rolex and others, has decided to sign, or footprint, a multi-million dollar contract with Team SUUNTO! He can't wait to tell Mom and Dad!

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JANUARY 30, 2009

It's a Boy!!!

A healthy Martin Rejmanek was born Friday January 30th at 11:19AM after a natural birth with no pain medication! He weighs 3.4kg (7.5lb) and is 52cm (20.5in) tall. Attached are photos. We are exhausted yet very happy. Martin, Barbora & Honza

 

RED BULL XALPS 2007 POSTS!

 

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2007

Testing testing 123

Just getting this blog stuff figured out.

Hello

Welcome to my blogger!

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TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2007

Got my ticket to Europe!!!

Got my ticket. Dave and I get in to Prague on the 18th of July and the next day we head to Austria. Can't wait. Got a 4hour XC flight yesterday on the coastal range here in Cali! Great fun.

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MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2007

Flying an Axis Wing in the X -Alps

I will be flying a light weight Axis Venus in the X-Alps with a light harness and reserve. The folks at Axis have been great to me since even before I got into the X-Apls and I have been enjoying great flights on my Axis Mercury. I love spring time flying in California!!! Recently got some super lightweight running shoes and an ultralight backpack. I have been hiking biking and flying as a part of my training.Sunk out yesterday with an epic sky overhead. I hate it when that happens. Fourteen years flying and still learning.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2007

Hello

Welcome to my blogger!

 

More Background On Honzair.com

 

Honzair.com is a unique website whose purpose is rooted in preserving a specific period in the life and athletic career of American paraglider and Red Bull X-Alps competitor Honza Rejmanek. Originally active between 2007 and 2011, the site documented Honza’s training, race experiences, travel, personal life, and the extraordinary physical and mental demands associated with one of the world’s most difficult adventure competitions.

After the original site disappeared following a lapse in domain registration, a dedicated follower rediscovered the domain name years later and purchased it with a single goal: restore and protect the original content instead of allowing the domain to be repurposed for unrelated or commercial use. This personal act of preservation turned Honzair.com into a rare archival project — a digital time capsule capturing the spirit of early American participation in the Red Bull X-Alps and a detailed human story behind extreme-adventure athletics.

Today, Honzair.com stands as an archived, memory-driven website, showcasing the determination, athleticism, family balance, humor, and camaraderie woven throughout Rejmanek’s journey.

Ownership and Preservation Purpose

The current owner of Honzair.com is not the original author but a longtime follower of Honza’s posts. This person visited the blog frequently during its active years, checking in on training updates, race reports, and personal stories. When the site vanished, they recognized the cultural and personal value of the content.

Years later, when the domain became available again, the user acquired it to reconstruct the site from archived versions. Their stated goal was to preserve the “spirit of the original website” and keep it from being bought by someone who would repurpose it for marketing or unrelated commercial content. The current iteration of Honzair.com is therefore an act of tribute, not a business venture.

Subject of the Website: Honza Rejmanek

Honza Rejmanek is the central figure of the site. His identity includes:

  • Elite paraglider

  • Red Bull X-Alps competitor

  • Father

  • Scientist and university researcher

  • Dedicated endurance athlete

During the period captured on Honzair.com, Honza balanced rigorous training with his professional work building weather stations for agricultural research, as well as with the responsibilities of being a new father. This creates a portrait of a multi-dimensional individual whose achievements extend far beyond the competition results.

His supporter, teammate, and frequent co-author on the site, Dave Hanning, appears throughout the posts, offering commentary, reporting, and insights into training sessions, weather conditions, and race strategy.

Location and Geographic Context

While Honza competed in Europe, his home base during the years covered in the blog was the United States, particularly California, where he trained at local hills and mountain sites. His posts describe:

  • Regular flying in the coastal ranges of California

  • High-altitude training hikes reaching 2450 meters

  • Trips to the Sierra Nevada for snow trekking and backcountry snowboarding

  • Travel to Utah, where he often met fellow pilots and participated in flying events

  • Pre-race travel to Prague, Austria, and the Alps, where the Red Bull X-Alps begins

These varied landscapes form the geographical heart of the website’s narrative — American deserts, coastal ranges, European alpine terrain, and rugged mountain passes.

Popularity and Community Role

Honzair.com was never a mass-market website, but it held substantial importance within niche adventure-sports communities. It attracted:

  • Paragliding enthusiasts

  • Red Bull X-Alps fans

  • Endurance athletes

  • Outdoor adventure and ultralight backpacking communities

  • Friends, family, and supporters of Team USA

  • Pilots from local flying clubs in California, Utah, Seattle, and beyond

Posts such as fundraising raffles, training updates, race reports, and presentations at paragliding meetups drew regular viewers and contributed to community excitement and support.

Although quantitative analytics do not exist, the site clearly served as a hub for fans following the first major U.S. competitor to achieve a podium finish in the X-Alps.

History of Honzair.com (2007–2011)

2007: Beginnings

The earliest posts show Rejmanek preparing for his first X-Alps adventure with supporters like Dave Hanning. Entries include:

  • Early cross-country flights in California

  • Acquiring ultralight gear

  • First training sessions with hiking, biking, and flying

  • Travel preparations for Europe

These early posts feel exploratory and enthusiastic, marking Honza’s first major entry into extreme adventure racing.

2009: Breakthrough Year

2009 was a landmark season for Honza, culminating in a 3rd-place finish, the first time a U.S. team reached the podium.

Posts from this period describe:

  • Races against world-class athletes

  • Navigating extreme weather conditions

  • Long flights, difficult climbs, and exhausting multi-day efforts

  • Supporters cheering him across the Alps

  • A triumphant return to the U.S. with “good memories” shining through the pain of the race

Entries also introduce the birth of Honza’s son, Martin — a major life event documented with humor and celebration.

2011: Returning Competitor and Scientific Professional

Leading up to the 2011 race, the site documents:

  • Advanced training regimens

  • 40-lb and 70-lb pack training (sometimes with Martin in the pack)

  • Backcountry snowboarding and mountaineering sessions

  • Intense uphill workouts

  • Sunrise runs

  • Flying coastal routes from the California mountains back home

  • Balancing professional obligations at the university

  • Filming days with a Red Bull media crew

The posts show a more mature athlete balancing high-performance training with family and scientific work.

Types of Content Featured on the Site

1. Race Reports

These include day-to-day accounts from the Red Bull X-Alps, detailing:

  • Weather challenges

  • Route decisions

  • Terrain obstacles

  • Emotional highs and lows

  • Team communication

  • Photos and videos

2. Training Journals

These entries are notable for their specificity:

  • Running uphill with a heavy pack for timed intervals

  • 50-mile technical flights

  • 6.5-hour round trips involving hikes and paragliding

  • High-altitude mountain training

  • Cross-training: swimming, weightlifting, mountain biking

3. Personal Moments

A unique aspect of the site includes life events such as:

  • Honza’s son’s birth

  • Humorous anecdotes

  • Photos of father and son training together

  • Reflections on balancing family with athletic pursuits

4. Community Announcements and Events

Examples include:

  • Paragliding presentations in Seattle and Utah

  • “Chalk Talk” sessions at paragliding shops

  • Fundraisers and raffles

  • Thank-you notes to supporters and fellow athletes

Cultural and Social Significance

Honzair.com holds cultural weight in several overlapping domains:

1. Paragliding and Adventure Racing History

It serves as one of the few preserved primary accounts of early American participation in the Red Bull X-Alps — before the race gained broader international media recognition.

2. Early Athlete Blogging Era

Between 2007–2011, athlete blogs were a major way for fans to follow sports personalities. Honzair.com is an authentic artifact of this digital era.

3. Insight Into the Life of an Adventure Athlete

The site showcases:

  • Training realism

  • Frequent injuries and setbacks

  • Constant adaptation

  • The unusual challenge of training with a young child

  • The emotional and mental aspects of extreme endurance racing

4. Community-Driven Support Culture

Honzair.com helped mobilize small adventure-sports communities, raising support for Team USA and building camaraderie among paraglider pilots across the United States.

Examples of Notable Stories From the Archive

The 70-Pound Backpack Training

Before the 2011 race, Honza trained by carrying his son Martin — who weighed as much as the required X-Alps kit — up steep mountain trails. These entries capture both the joy and challenge of parent-athlete life.

The Red Bull Film Crew Weekend

A film team followed Honza across California’s coastline and mountains, documenting flights, hikes, and landscapes in preparation for a race feature.

Salt Lake City Fundraiser

Honza spoke at a university about meteorological research, flew Mount Olympus, met Dave Hanning mid-air, and held a fundraiser that drew pilots from multiple states.

Epic Cross-Country Flights

There are multiple accounts of multi-hour flights across rugged terrain, sometimes landing in remote areas and being greeted by local families who offered food, drinks, and enthusiastic support.

Audience and Visitor Expectations Today

Modern visitors to Honzair.com can expect:

  • A faithful recreation of posts from the original 2007–2011 site

  • A nostalgic, narrative-driven reading experience

  • Training diaries, race stories, and photos

  • A unique view into extreme paragliding before social media dominated athlete storytelling

It is not a commercial site, nor is it designed for SEO or marketing. It exists purely as an archive.

Current Status and Future Outlook

Honzair.com today functions as an archival memorial site. The current owner maintains it as a historical record, not as an active blog. There is no evidence of new updates or ongoing expansion, but the goal of ensuring the content lives on has been fulfilled.

Its future likely remains tied to its preservation purpose — a quiet tribute to a remarkable chapter in adventure racing history.

Honzair.com