Skysailing Ontario: Paragliding

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Paragliding

Karl Dinzl flying at Whitwell, Tennessee.

Zen and the Art of Soaring

Not to be confused with parachuting or parasailing, paragliding has become an international sport for the young and young at heart, male and female alike.

Paraglider [65 KB] Unlike parachuting where you fall from a plane for several thousand feet before deploying a chute, paraglider canopies are fully inflated before your feet leave the ground. The harness doubles as a "skysailing" chair as you are gently whisked through the air on a journey of serenity and tranquility.

Beginner Course [Level I]

The first few hours of the course are spent learning how to handle the canopy, running with the paraglider and managing to keep it above your head at all times—not as easy as it sounds.

Once you have learned to control your canopy, you are ready to be towed up, at first low, then progressing to higher altitudes as you feel comfortable. Actually, paraglider and hang glider pilots do the same wonderful stuff, only paraglider pilots do it a bit slower and the steering technique is different.

Purchase your new Paragliding equipment through us and we will teach you Novice (Level II) absolutely FREE! By the end of this course, usually four days, you will know all necessary theory, and be able to handle the equipment confidently. You will be able to tow launch, turn and land a paraglider safely. If you need more time, extra days are provided free. You are now ready to proceed to the next level of flight—sunny Venezuela! (Well … it's not really Venezuela … and it's not always sunny, but it's the next best thing, for skysailing at least.) Your next launches will be made in the rolling hills of the Finger Lakes region of New York state.

Novice Course [Level II]

"Aaaah!" Reverse inflation, cross-wind launches, no-wind inflations and launches, and preparation for flying in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. Get ready for future two to three hour high flights of 1000 to 1500 metres.

Time to take action. Come out for the day or sign yourself up for the whole shebang [read: full course]. Bring your entourage, brag to them about how cool it was (all the way home), unless of course they want to ride your wave to the clouds and join you.

Be nice to your significant other. He or she is usually your chase crew. Also, casually dropped hints for Christmas gifts should make reference to helmets, two-way radios, GPS devices, thermal underwear, etc. Chase crew can successfully be bribed with fine food and wine and . . . you get the picture. Life is good.

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