Flight of the Champions

Greetings from Victoria Falls! In this episode, Geoff Armand talks about strategies for gaining a competitive edge in one-loft pigeon racing. Here are the key takeaways:🐦 Adaptability to Local Climatic Conditions: Pigeons must be suited to the climatic conditions of the race location, as different areas present unique challenges.🐦 Selecting the Right Breeders: Focus on pigeons that are proven and finished the final of the OLR you are targeting, or similar races.🐦 Health and Condition of Breeders: Ensure breeders are in peak health year-round, well-rested, and free from diseases. Vaccinate young pigeons early, 21 to 24 days old and maintain their health.🐦 Ship Young Pigeons: Send pigeons from the breeding loft at 45-60 days old. Minimise stress. Don’t overcrowd babies and ensure they are well hydrated.🐦 Our New Initiatives: Building new quarantine lofts overlooking the Race Loft at Victoria Falls A breeding station.For more detailed insights, listen to the full episode 🚀✨ #PigeonRacing #OneLoftRace #Podcast #VictoriaFallsPlease visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

Good morning from Victoria Falls! In this episode, Geoff Armand expands on how to gain a competitive edge in one-loft pigeon racing and the measures we've taken to support you:🐦 Healthy, Well-Trained Young Pigeons: Success hinges on the health and age of your pigeons. Aim to send young pigeons (45-60 days old) from the breeding loft. 🐦 New Quarantine Facility: We're building a new quarantine loft right here in Victoria Falls. This will shorten the period away from the Race Loft and allow pigeons to settle faster.🐦 Age-Specific Training: We will categorize and train pigeons based on their age. Younger pigeons will be exercised and trained separately from older pigeons to give them the necessary thorough grounding.🐦 Breeding Loft in Bulawayo: Our new breeding loft, 400km from Victoria Falls, will allow pigeons to be bred in local conditions and enable fanciers who can’t send young pigeons or can’t participate because of veterinary restrictions to take part in the race. Pigeons from auctions whilst still in Zimbabwe can go directly into the breeding loft after the final to breed babies for the race.🐦 Opportunity to Book Breeding Space: Current and past customers have until July 15th to book space in the breeding loft. After this date, it will be opened to others interested in the Victoria Falls One Loft Race.Join us in ensuring your pigeons have a better chance for success. Best of luck for the rest of the season! 🚀✨ #PigeonRacing #OneLoftRace #Podcast #VictoriaFallsPlease visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

🎙️✨ Listen to Geoff Armand on the latest episode of "Flight of the Champions" as he talks about the benefits of the new breeding station in Zimbabwe. 🐦🌍Here’s what you’ll learn:1. How our breeding station will help overcome some veterinary and transportation restrictions.2. It will ensure race pigeons enter our One Loft Race loft at a young age for early training.3. The importance of acclimatising pigeons to local conditions.4. Reduce losses by giving fanciers the opportunity to enter young pigeons.Spaces are limited at the moment - only 5 pairs of pigeons each! Secure your space by emailing [email protected] before 15th July. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity! Listen now and get involved in the future of one loft racing! 🎙️✨Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

We're excited to share our latest podcast episode, where Geoff Armand talks about the newly launched innovative breeding station to enhance one loft racing. Discover how this new facility helps to address the challenges of one loft racing.💡Key Highlights:- Breeding Station: Ensuring pigeons are the optimal age for intake.- Best time of year to race in Zimbabwe explained.- Join the Movement: Send your pigeons at a young age or participate with pigeons bred in the breeding station.Listen now and get all the details! This venture is geared to make a significant impact on the future of international one loft racing.Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

Listen to our podcast to learn about our game-changing project!This first-of-its-kind project will:Reduce shipping and quarantine time, obstacles and costsBetter chance for all with younger bred pigeonsReduce lossesAnd revolutionise one loft racing!Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

Geoff Armand tackles the big mystery on our latest podcast: Why are so many racing pigeons getting lost? 🕊️❓ With eight years of research under our belts, we're unveiling some surprising findings (and not just unique to Victoria Falls) that could change the game for pigeon racing enthusiasts worldwide.Don't miss out on this eye-opening episode! AND…we have an exciting project on the go to help solve this problem which will be announced on MONDAY 3 JUNE  - we believe this will make a huge impact on the future of one loft racing in general, but particularly our race now in the interim.Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

In this episode, host Geoff Armand discusses crucial breeding dates for the end-of-the-year Intake. While it may seem early, planning is key to success. 🌍 The breeding dates for the 2024 intake must align with the quarantine opening in Harare, Zimbabwe, from October 1st, 2024, to January 31st, 2025, which are our intake dates. Contact your country agent for the dates which they need the pigeons prior to shipping.🔍 Geoff emphasizes the importance of sending pigeons that have NOT been previously raced or trained. He advises sending pigeons aged between 45 and 60 days old for optimal settling.🐦 Geoff feels much older birds are the most difficult to break in and are therefore more easily lost even during racing.🎧 Stay tuned for more insights and updates on the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race! Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

In this episode, host Geoff Armand welcomes special guest Frank McLaughlin, https://www.youtube.com/c/FrankMcLaughlinPigeons, a renowned pigeon fancier from the United States. They dive into the world of one-loft racing, focusing on the unique challenges and experiences in Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe and the Victoria Falls One Loft race.🌍 Learn about the Victoria Falls One Loft Race, the intricacies of pigeon racing, and other valuable insights from Frank.👀 Frank shares his personal experiences about discovering the beauty of Victoria Falls, emphasizing the warmth of the people and the incredible sights that make it an unforgettable adventure.🎧 Tune in now to gain a deeper understanding of the art of one loft racing and the magic of Victoria Falls! 🔗 To listen to the full episode and catch up on previous ones, visit our website: www.victoriafallswcpr.com/podcasts 📲✨Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

In this episode of the Flight of the Champions Podcast, host Geoff Armand introduces Kevin Fry, the operations manager of the pigeon race. Kevin shares his journey with the race. As someone with a background in hospitality, Kevin has adapted his management skills to become the operations manager for the race. He also takes care of organizing the final race week events and managing some of the operations throughout the year. Outside of work, Kevin is an outdoorsman who enjoys fishing and wildlife activities. He is passionate about wildlife conservation and is involved in charities that focus on anti-poaching efforts. Kevin talks about Victoria Falls as a destination and why it definitely should be on everyone’s bucket list as a top destination to visit.Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

 In this episode of the Flight of the Champions podcast, host Geoff Armand interviews Pieter Bekker, the trainer of the Victoria Falls One Loft Race. Here's a sneak peek at what they discussed:🏆 Geoff and Pieter delved into Pieter's racing history, where he shared his journey and passion for the sport. Pieter shares his experience of managing both private lofts and the unique challenges of managing a One Loft Race like Victoria Falls.🏰 Pieter also revealed that they are nearing the end of their intake process for the Victoria Falls One Loft Race. He explained the meticulous procedures the birds go through, including, thorough disease screenings, vaccinations, and quarantine. The well-being of the birds is top priority!💪 When it comes to training the birds, Pieter shared valuable insights on their care and management in the loft. The professionalism and dedication that goes into every feathered athlete's journey is remarkable.🐦👩‍🔧 So, if you're curious about the world of pigeon racing and want an inside look at the Victoria Falls One Loft Race, this episode is a must-listen!Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

In this episode of the Flight of the Champions Podcast, we go behind the scenes and chat with Karen Taylor. Karen is the Finance and Administration Manager, who is an integral part of the team at Victoria Falls. Karen goes into detail on how to use the features on our website and app, including how to log in, change teams, and activate pigeons. She also talks about notifications and how to manage your account.So if you are not yet familiar with what we offer behind the scenes, listen to this!Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

This podcast is for you if you are interested in what we have learned from using tracker birds!In this episode, Geoff Armand discusses what we have learned from the use of tracker birds and how it can be applied to pigeon racing.Tracker birds are used to track the movement of pigeons during a race. This information can be used to learn about how pigeons navigate and what factors influence their flight.One thing we have learned from tracker birds is that pigeons use landmarks to navigate. They will often fly over the same landmarks on their way home, even if it is not the most direct route. This suggests that pigeons are able to learn the landscape and use it to find their way home. We can use this information to improve our pigeon racing.Listen to the rest of the podcast to find out what more we have learned by using tracking. Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

Join host Geoff Armand in exploring the fascinating world of one loft racing! In today's episode, we delve into what it takes to have a successful one loft racing pigeon. 🏆Super pigeons are rare gems, with only about one in a hundred considered exceptional. Finding a super pigeon is no easy task. Some breeders discover a unique combination of genes, known as a "click pair," that produces outstanding results. These special pigeons are best kept together, as finding another pair with the same capabilities can be incredibly difficult.When searching for suitable pigeons for a one loft race, it's crucial to look at birds which have been tested in the specific environment you'll be racing in. Victoria Falls, for example, has many excellent pigeons that don't always make the cut due to various factors, including luck.Listen to find out more about what makes a good one-loft race pigeon. Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

Welcome to the Flight of the Champions Podcast with Geoff Armand. In this episode, we'll be discussing the selection of breeders for one-loft races. When choosing pigeons for a race, it's essential to look for birds that have previously performed well in similar races. Pigeons that excel in one part of the world may not succeed in another.  However, crossing successful birds from one-loft races with your own pigeons can lead to excellent results. It's all about finding the right match! Proven breeders are also crucial. Look for birds that have produced successful offspring. Don't let appearances deceive you; the performance matters more than looks.  Different races require different types of pigeons. For challenging races like the Victoria Falls race, long-distance pigeons crossed with sprint or 600-kilometre types tend to perform well. Stamina and the right physique are key!  Breeding healthy babies starts with healthy stock. Take good care of your breeding birds all year round and ensure they are free of worms and other pathogens. Vaccination is also important.  Breeding for one-loft races needs careful planning. You can breed extra rounds from the same pair and select the best quality pigeons rather than focusing on quantity. Whether you're sending a handful or many birds to the race, their health and selection are essential. Give them a good start through proper vaccination and feeding. That's it for today's episode! Don't forget to visit our website to learn more about the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon race. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram too. Thanks for listening! Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

On this podcast, Geoff Armand discusses the health and care of the pigeons at Victoria Falls. He also talks about the importance of using natural products, gut health, and nutrition. He also discusses the challenges of racing pigeons in extreme heat and how they are working to overcome these challenges.Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

The training of the pigeons at Victoria Falls is very rigorous. They are released in groups and trained to fly long distances. Listen to Geoff Armand share how they do the initial training and homing instinct at the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race.Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

This last season, we had a particularly difficult settling-in period.  After analysing it, we found that our first intake of pigeons were mostly older birds. People breed pigeons at the beginning of the year and they wait for our intake to open a month later and they then send pigeons that are far too old. Our belief originally was we could settle birds in and we can rehome them. It is still our belief. But there are downsides.  Listen to Geoff Armand discuss the challenges they face at the Victoria Falls loft as well as how they settle and orientate the birds at the loft.Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

The Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race receive pigeons from 40 countries worldwide. And one can imagine all the different pathogens that are brought in. So they have a comprehensive quarantine program from the time the pigeons arrive until the time they are released to the race loft. In this podcast, Geoff Armand discusses the management of the pigeons in quarantine. Geoff goes into detail about:The challenges pigeons face while in quarantine. How they look after birds in quarantine.Viruses and illnesses that they often find in birds.What vaccinations are given.How they treat birds while they are in quarantine. Find out one of the biggest challenges the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race  faces when receiving pigeons and how they treat them.Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

Geoff Armand discusses how to prepare pigeons to enter a one-loft race!Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

Have you thought about entering the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race?There are plenty of reasons to enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, including this year's $1,250,000 worth of prizes, the 11 competitions, 756 prizes and 37 trophies.In this podcast, Geoff Armand discusses several other reasons why YOU should enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race!Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

Geoff Armand discusses the reasons why someone should enter a one-loft race and the different pros and cons that come from entering the world of one-loft pigeon racing.Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.

Hello and welcome to the Flight of the Champions Podcast. The show where listeners come to learn all about the art of one-loft pigeon racing.Every week, your host, Geoff Armand, will be covering topics aimed at helping you become a better one-loft pigeon racer, and from time to time he will invite other members of the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race team to join him and share their expertise, as well as other international guests from around the globe. Please visit our website at www.victoriafallswcpr.com to learn more about how you can enter the Victoria Falls World Challenge Pigeon Race, and remember to follow our social channels to stay up to date on this exciting, world class event.