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24hrs with a Local

24 hrs with a Local: Professional Paraglider Gavin McClurg

If you’re like me and know nothing of the world of professional paragliding, you may ask yourself why a paraglider with accolades like being National Geographic’s 2015 “Adventurer of the Year” and who’s sponsored by Patagonia, Garmin, Smith Optics, and more would live in Sun Valley, Idaho. As it turns out, Sun Valley is world famous for its paragliding, with all the nation’s paragliding records set here. Gavin moved to Sun Valley in 2012, after spending fifteen years sailing around the world, and promptly set the record for longest flight in the US from a mountain in 2013 by flying from the top of Baldy to Canyon Ferry Lake in Montana. A lifelong adventurer, Gavin has been featured in films like Red Bull’s The Rockies Traverse, TGR’s LOCALS, and many more; operated a net-zero carbon offshore sailing/kitesurfing expedition for many years; and has had several first descents in kayaking in Central America. Gavin still loves to adventure, whether that’s flying or backcountry skiing (he’s been skiing since growing up ski racing in Lake Tahoe), but he’s also a family man now, with he, his wife Mattie Mulick (a trainer at the YMCA), daughter Fallon (age 7) and their rescue dog …

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What We're Made Of

What We’re Made of: Alternative Education

Despite the relatively small size of the Wood River Valley, educational institutions abound, with sizes and styles for every type of learner. In addition to the eight public schools in the area (Hailey Elementary, Hemingway STEAM School, Wood River Middle School, Wood River High School, Alturas Elementary, Bellevue Elementary, Carey Public School, Silver Creek High School), there are also five schools providing what might be called “alternative education”: Sun Valley Community School, the Sage School, Syringa Mountain School, Pioneer Montessori School, and Trinity School. Read on to learn about each of their unique curriculums, founding, and the benefits of such educational models. Sun Valley Community School The only independent school in the Wood River Valley educating pre-K through 12th grade, the Sun Valley Community School was founded in 1973 and serves roughly 435 students. While small class sizes, excellent teachers, and robust academics contribute to the esteemed reputation of the school, it’s some of Community School’s unique programming, like their Outdoor Program, the Academies, and Boarding Program that make it so unique. The Outdoor Program has been a key component of the school since its founding over 50 years ago and is an integral part of every student’s experience throughout …