Let your dreams be your wings!
Let your dreams be your wings!
Dare to Soar - Learn to FLY!
Our mission is to set new standards of safety and excellence in women’s paragliding clinics, instruction and tandem flights across Canada, in French and English.
We are keen to develop, implement, and deliver unique and immersive bilingual educational programs to inspire the minds of our student-pilots by offering a range of different courses and expeditions. Some workshops are focused on women specifically, to cater to the growing demand for women’s clinics. DragonFLYsister is particularly committed to strengthening the foundations in the paragliding community by: aiming to be a global leader in driving the introduction of women to this sport, building safe entry points through progression clinics for women.
The goal is to have fun while maximizing safety on water, on the ground and in the air, whatever adventure it may be, and at the same time protecting and caring for the environment, leading people back into nature to better
understand the interconnectedness of it all.
Karen Girouard is a pioneer in outdoor sports as a female pilot, guide and instructor, and a minority as a Francophone Canadian woman. Her love + passion for water and wind have grown stronger over the years along with her experience, making her uniquely qualified to be at the helm of DragonFLYsister. She brings a knowledgeable and established presence to the world of Outdoor Education, and to the kiting, flying and whitewater communities from years of guiding, competing + exploring around the world. A school of this nature spearheaded by an experienced, passionate and bilingual woman will help to facilitate + cultivate a greater representation of women in adventure sports, specifically paragliding.
💙 with Karen Girouard speedrider, tandem + paragliding instructor, whitewater kayaker, kitesurfer, snowboarder and backcountry lover, come fly with us 💙
Karen Girouard grew up in a small village in Quebec where her family was active in maple syrup farming. Working closely with the land gave her an appreciation of all that it has to offer. Her flying career started with her father, flying Cessna’s at a young age and later traded engine flying for thermal flying – a kind of flying that doesn’t require fuel. You read the sky, like you read a river. She developed an intense interest in sports and the outdoors, becoming an avid runner, triathlete, whitewater guide and kayaker, flight enthusiast, drawn to “freestyle” adventure sports navigating in the elements such as kitesurfing, sailing, snowboarding, as well as snowmobiling to access remote flying locations.
These early influences of water, land and sky shaped Karen’s connection with the outdoors. From paragliding the globe, hungry for never-ending thermals, to paddling the world while guiding and kayaking, she has competed across Canada and represented our country in competitions in Asia and Europe. In later years there were opportunities for sponsorships, including partnering with Yukon Honda to go speed riding in the Pass and beyond, and also with the Immersion Research Team for women’s dry suits & paddling gear.
Karen’s experiences, as an avid outdoorswoman, have instilled in her an immense appreciation of the power of nature and the impact we have on our earth, understanding our duty to protect it. Running a river, soaring along a ridge or riding a thermal with the ravens over mountain peaks, or tacking while allowing the winds to move us across the surface of the water, connecting with the elements is how Karen fully embraces life - focused in the moment, allowing her to be the best version of herself, surrounded and moving with nature.
A dedicated bilingual educator for over 15 years, Karen has worked across Canada and internationally with all ages, including adults, as well as coaching, instructing sports and teaching in outdoor education programs. Throughout her career, she acted as a facilitator by providing direction and creating an environment to inspire the hearts and minds of students. She has been a guide, medic, mate, deckhand and a marine naturalist, most recently embracing the role of a cooperative support teacher and Vice Principal, interacting with more than 150 students each day and becoming a valuable member of the school community. Karen has an extensive skill set, developed through both professional and recreational pursuits, which have prepared her to be an excellent owner/lead instructor at DragonFLYsister. She currently lives in the beautiful province of British Columbia. ♥️
“You were destined to spread your wings”
“Dear students,
Live your life do not wait. ”
