Take two

It hasn't always been high jinks for Peter Shields teaching Billy Carson to paraglide. Now they face a bigger challenge, X-Scotia – the first ever Scottish paragliding and hiking adventure race

Billy (37) on Peter

"THIS guy is mad," I thought when I first met Peter. I had good reason: it was about 3ûC and he was wearing shorts. I did wonder what I had let myself in for, especially when, on the point of taking off, Peter told me to keep on running and I ended up colliding with a tree!

That was on my first day's paragliding training with Cloudbusters, some seven years ago. I already had my private plane licence, so I knew a lot before I began, but Peter's teaching was spot-on. Having taught people myself, I could judge what he was doing, and he did a good job – explaining the techniques simply but also knowing about the relevant aerodynamics when I quizzed him. I developed a respect for him.

I got my paragliding licence and went on to become a trainee instructor, so Peter and I stayed in contact. He's a good guy to be around and have a bit of fun with. When we're due to go out flying I'll ring him for his views on the weather (so I can blame him if it turns bad) and I can guarantee he'll say, "It will clear up shortly." Trouble is, his idea of "shortly" could be three hours. If he was any more laid-back he'd fall over.

I'm always happy to go out, even if we can't fly. I'll sit on the hill and watch the grass grow, but Peter's a real family man, and spending time with them always puts a smile on his face. I've learned a lot from him about fatherhood, and if I was half as good a dad to my kids as he is to his, I'd be doing well. He's always looking out for them.

It's a pity we haven't been able to train together for X-Scotia, but that's mainly due to the fact that he's in Glasgow and I'm in Edinburgh. We're not trying to beat each other – for me it's all about completing the course. If I'm ahead of him I'd wait, and I know he'd do the same for me.

Peter (52) on Billy

WHEN Bill began his training, the other students joked that he had a crush on me. He kept asking me, "When will we do this? Why aren't we doing that?" He was like a dog with a bone, obsessed with learning everything, and I did find it a bit frustrating.

Every now and then I have to give him a clip around the ear, but he and I had a rapport from the start, and I knew we'd keep in touch once he'd qualified. There's a lot more to Bill than he shows up front. When you first meet him, you think he's Mr Average as he puts these barriers up and keeps himself to himself – it's only as you get to know him that you realise how much he's achieved in his life.

He likes to be on top of his game. We both go to the gym to keep fit, but it's not my idea of a good night out as it is for Bill. He'll boast, "I've just done two hours of weights," and I'll say, "Get a life!" – he's too keen by half. If we're due to go flying at 10am he'll ring me at 7am while I'm still in my bed.

You usually find Bill dashing everywhere. He's always helping people, whether it's emotional support or material things. He's a pretty generous guy, but, having said that, he does have a big selfish streak. He's the chief breadwinner at home and because he works hard in his job he thinks he deserves to have the weekends as his 'me time' – to go and play at whatever he wants.

He loves a challenge. When I told him I fancied doing X-Scotia I knew he'd be up for it. It's an individual event, so we'll be competing, but we'll stick together – unless one of us gets a good wind, then it will be every man for himself. We've not trained together much. Maybe Bill's got a secret weapon up his sleeve and is planning to beat me on the day – I wouldn't put it past him.

• Peter Shields runs Cloudbusters Paragliding School (www.cloudbusters.co.uk); X-Scotia runs until May 17