{"id":3995,"date":"2026-03-16T12:07:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T12:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skywalk.group\/our-visionaries\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T08:32:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T08:32:28","slug":"our-visionaries","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/skywalk.group\/en\/our-visionaries\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Visionaries"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Visionaries<\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Rethinking Movement.<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Skywalk Group is a dynamic force driven by passion, innovation, and movement. Since its foundation, we have been inspired by a shared enthusiasm for wind, nature, and technology, constantly exploring new ways to make the feeling of freedom tangible. Behind this drive are our founders and a dedicated team united by vision, courage, and curiosity. Together, they combine engineering expertise, pioneering spirit, and creative thinking, connected by a shared ambition to push boundaries and rethink movement. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The Driving Force Behind skywalk Paragliders<\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Arne Wehrlin<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Arne is not only one of the Managing Directors of Skywalk Group and Head of skywalk Paragliders, but also a true veteran of the paragliding world. With nearly three decades of experience in the sport, he continues to bring remarkable energy, curiosity, and drive to everything he does.
His journey began in 1989 when he first spotted paragliders soaring above the mountains while skiing. Fascinated from that very moment, he immersed himself in the sport and dedicated himself to mastering every aspect of it. Starting as a test pilot, he progressed through product development and eventually became one of the driving forces behind the company. His personal motto, \u201cStep out of your comfort zone,\u201d reflects both his approach to life and his leadership style. Always eager to learn and evolve, Arne believes that a paraglider should allow pilots to truly feel the air and experience active, intuitive flying. His vision is to develop wings that combine safety with direct and meaningful feedback.
Despite his role as Managing Director, Arne remains approachable and grounded. He values close collaboration, takes time for his team, and actively supports the growth and development of every skywalker. Outside of work, he enjoys flying around Lake Chiemsee and embarking on Hike & Fly adventures in the Alps. For Arne, flying is both a privilege and a constant source of inspiration.
He embodies the spirit of skywalk Paragliders: innovative, passionate, and always ready to reach new heights. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The Visionary Between Sky and Water<\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Manfred Kistler<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Growing up by the lake, Manfred discovered his passion for watersports at an early age. Sailing and windsurfing shaped his youth, and he successfully competed in numerous regattas. At the same time, he developed a fascination for aviation through model aircraft, sparking a lifelong interest in flight and technology. His path first led him to a mechanical engineering apprenticeship, followed by studies in aerospace engineering. This combination provided the perfect foundation for his future work, beginning with a thesis in paraglider development and continuing through countless innovations in paragliding, kitesurfing, and sailing. The diversity of these influences is reflected in his approach to innovation. Whether pioneering technologies such as the Jet Flap or exploring new concepts in materials and sailcloth design, Manfred has always been driven by curiosity and a desire to push boundaries.
For him, watersports and aviation are far more than hobbies. They are a lifelong passion. Through Skywalk, he found a way to unite these passions within a single company and help create brands that stand for innovation, performance, and adventure. Despite the company's success, Manfred remains deeply connected to the original vision of the founders: creating products that reflect their genuine passion for the sports they love. His commitment, creativity, and pioneering mindset have helped shape both the paragliding and kitesurfing industries and continue to inspire future developments across the Skywalk Group. Today, Manfred represents the spirit of innovation that has been at the heart of Skywalk from the very beginning: curious, forward-thinking, and always looking beyond the horizon. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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From Kiteboarding Pro to Entrepreneur<\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Peter M\u00fcller<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Peter's journey from FLYSURFER athlete to product developer and shareholder at Skywalk is driven by adventure, curiosity, and a deep passion for innovation. Whether as a professional freestyle kiteboarder, kitefoil racer, developer, or entrepreneur, he brings dedication and energy to everything he does.
His instinct for design, performance, and technology has shaped numerous products across the Skywalk Group. At the same time, he remains open to new ideas and constantly challenges existing concepts. As one of the early pioneers of hydrofoil racing, Peter helped shape the sport long before it reached the Olympic stage. Today, he continues to explore new disciplines such as wing foiling and is fascinated by the connection between flying and watersports. This unique perspective inspires both his work and his approach to product development. As a developer, Peter combines creativity with technical expertise. His motivation is simple: to embrace new challenges and create products that are functional, innovative, and inspiring to use. Beyond his role as an innovator, Peter is a true team player who values collaboration and shared progress. Whether on the water, in the air, or in product development, he is always looking for the next opportunity to push boundaries and explore new possibilities. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Founder and Creative Force Behind FLYSURFER<\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Armin Harich<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Armin, a trained physicist, passionate paraglider pilot, and enthusiastic paddler, has helped take modern kiteboarding to the next level. As a German champion in canoeing and kitesurfing, as well as runner-up in paragliding, he recognized early on the perfect connection between air and watersports. As the founder of FLYSURFER, he brought these synergies into Skywalk. His vision was simple: to combine flying and surfing in a single sport. That vision is reflected throughout FLYSURFER, from the brand name itself to innovative product lines such as Psycho, Speed, and Sonic. With the FLARE Moustache, he continues to push the boundaries of kite sports and inspire customers in entirely new ways. Along the way, Armin left no stone unturned. He built countless prototypes, tested, refined, and improved them until the kites delivered the performance and hangtime he was aiming for. What makes him happiest is seeing new products create the same excitement in customers that drives him every day: pure enthusiasm. With a smile, he often compares this moment to the birth of a baby. Today, Armin continues to shape the future of kite sports through his passion and innovative spirit. His ideas demonstrate how adventure, creativity, and technology can come together to create something truly unique. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Between Kites, Wings, and New Ideas for Flight<\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Benni B\u00f6lli<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Benni first saw paragliders soaring above the mountains of South Tyrol as a child. At the time, he was still too young to fly himself, but the idea never left him. One day, he knew, he would be up there too.
His journey began on the water. He discovered kitesurfing and quickly developed a passion for it. As soon as he was old enough, paragliding followed. Early on, Benni combined his enthusiasm for wind and movement with a strong interest in technology.
After studying <\/span>Sports Equipment Technology<\/em> <\/span>he deepened his involvement in product development and competitive sports. As a team rider for FLYSURFER, he competed in kite racing before later working alongside Peter M\u00fcller to develop race kites for professional competition, including Olympic disciplines. he deepened his involvement in product development and competitive sports. As a team rider for FLYSURFER, he competed in kite racing before later working alongside Peter M\u00fcller to develop race kites for professional competition, including Olympic disciplines. <\/p>\n

Today, Benni leads product development at FLYSURFER and FLARE. What drives him is surprisingly simple: developing new flying equipment, understanding complex systems, and creating products that inspire people. For him, success comes down to one thing. When someone returns from the water or the sky with a big smile on their face, he knows the effort was worth it. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The Foundation for Success<\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Thomas Allertseder<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Thomas Allertseder, a trained lawyer, was born and raised in Marquartstein and has remained there ever since. It is no coincidence that Skywalk is based here today. Nestled in the Chiemgau region, the area had already become a hotspot for hang gliding in the early 1970s. Growing up in this environment, Thomas was naturally drawn to aviation. Alongside his passion for flying, he developed a fascination for wind, weather, and the mountains. What interested him most, however, was the technology behind it all. He became particularly intrigued by the physics of paraglider lines, their precision, and the influence they have on a wing's performance and handling. This curiosity eventually led to entrepreneurship. Thomas founded Betech GmbH, one of the early specialists for paraglider components. Through the industry, he met Manfred Kistler, and before long, the idea of building a company together began to take shape.
\nWhen Skywalk was founded in 2001, Thomas brought exactly what every vision needs: business expertise, legal knowledge, and entrepreneurial perseverance. As a co-founder, he helped build the foundation that allowed ideas to grow into a successful company. For nearly two decades, he led Finance and Administration, providing the stability and structure that gave engineers, pilots, and developers the freedom to focus on innovation. His calm and analytical mindset complemented the team's sporting ambition and pioneering spirit, making many achievements possible in the first place. Although Thomas is no longer involved in the company's day-to-day operations, he remains closely connected to Skywalk as a shareholder. Today, he continues to oversee strategic and financial matters with the reliability, perspective, and long-term thinking that have characterized his contribution from the very beginning. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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