Our story,
our passion.
The oldest paragliding school in France, a leading store and a family passion passed down from generation to generation.
Who are we?
A team of enthusiasts and free flight professionals
Our team is made up of free flight experts, both in terms of practice and equipment. Behind this website is the oldest paragliding school in France, and a physical store.
While the older generation created free flight, the new generation develops it. That's why our team adapts to new ways of working, including online sales.
At Rid'Air, you are advised by paragliding instructors. This is essential because only a professional has a good understanding of skill levels, and therefore equipment choices.
Cyrille Marck
Manager of Rid'Air
French aerobatics champion 2008, certified paragliding instructor, founder of WAY Gliders.
Valérie Bernhardt
Sales management
Stock management, order shipping and after-sales service.
Philippe Marck
Founder
Founder of Centre Ecole du Markstein in 1977, certified paragliding and hang gliding instructor.
Our history
Nearly 50 years of passion for free flight
The beginnings: 1977 — 1985
It all begins in 1977, when Philippe Marck, a gliding enthusiast, discovers hang gliding! Very quickly, he wants to share his passion and creates the Centre Ecole du Markstein. It becomes one of the very first hang gliding schools in France, and in fact the oldest school in France still in operation!
The school is based at Markstein, in the heart of the Vosges mountains. The generous training slopes nearby and the grassy takeoff areas make it a prime location for learning free flight.
Safety has always been THE most important point for Philippe Marck — that is also the secret to his school's longevity. In 1979, he begins manufacturing his own hang gliders in his workshop in Strasbourg: la Voilerie du Vent.
The rise of paragliding: 1985 — 1990
Philippe Marck discovers paragliding from the very beginnings of this new activity: he makes his first flight in 1985. He is immediately passionate about this new discipline!
In 1986, he creates the Markstein Vol Libre shop, which still exists today under the name Rid'Air. The Centre Ecole du Markstein then trains around 150 pilots per year, becoming one of the largest French structures.
Philippe Marck also organises the very first hang gliding and paragliding trips, particularly on African soil: Algeria, Mali, Morocco…
The paragliding boom: 1990 — 2000
The early 1990s are marked by a real rise of paragliding! There is a true explosion in the number of schools in France.
In France, the ITV factory becomes highly professional and manufactures high-quality wings. The Markstein Vol Libre shop is then one of the main retailers in France.
Cyrille Marck, Philippe's eldest son, completes his introductory course and his first big flight in 1995, at the age of 11: the passion is passed on!
The 2000s
In the early 2000s, paragliders finally exceed a glide ratio of 10. At the same time, paragliding aerobatics appears.
Philippe Marck moves his paragliding shop next to the landing area. Seniority, experience and professional advice make this shop one of the most renowned in France.
The school then trains over 200 paragliding pilots each year. The Centre Ecole du Markstein diversifies its paragliding trip offerings: Spitsbergen, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Mongolia, Madagascar…
In 2008, Cyrille obtains his State Certificate as a paragliding instructor. That same year, he becomes French aerobatics champion, and ranks 5th worldwide in this discipline.
Rid'Air is born: 2014 — 2018
Cyrille Marck creates and launches an online free flight equipment store: Rid'Air. The entire Markstein Vol Libre team thus opens up internationally.
Reliability, fast shipping, competitive prices: Rid'Air quickly positions itself among the leaders of online sales in the paragliding market.
On the school side, the Centre Ecole du Markstein then trains over 300 students each year, and offers hundreds of tandem discovery flights!
In 2017, Cyrille launches his own paragliding brand: WAY Gliders. It's a source of pride, and the result of decades of experience, partnerships and passion for aeronautics.
Today
The Markstein Vol Libre shop and the CEM paragliding school are taken over in 2018 by Cyrille Marck. In 2019, Pascal Marck, Cyrille's brother, joins the family business.
The CEM school in 2024 means approximately 500 trainees and 1,000 tandem flights per year! Making it still today, almost 50 years after its creation, one of the largest structures in France!
On the WAY Gliders side, the first complete range arrived in 2020: Lacy (EN A) — Cosy (EN B) — Ruby (EN B+), then Budy in 2022 (tandem). Drawing inspiration from other flagship Outdoor sports markets, Cyrille offers his wings for direct sale on Rid'Air. Without an intermediary retailer, prices are attractive for customers, with no compromise on quality.
Building on this success, WAY Gliders renews its entire range in 2024: Lacy 2, Cosy 2 and Ruby 2. All wings are also available in a light version (HF for Hike & Fly)!
Our commitments
Real stock
We display our stock in real time. An in-stock product is shipped within 48 hours of your order — that's our guarantee.
Consulenza esperta
We have been practising free flight since its beginnings, we have followed the evolution of equipment, we teach paragliding, and we fly a lot. This experience is at your service!
Security
Our payment system uses state-of-the-art security, and we guarantee complete confidentiality of your personal information.
Competitive prices
We strive to offer competitive prices, and we also provide the advice of a specialised store.
Have a question? Need advice?
Don't sacrifice advice for price. We are available all week by email and phone.