Paragliding - anyone here done it ??

[Sparks]

On a recent skiing holiday in the Alps I did a tandem paraglide taster (picture below)

I am hooked !!

Has anyone any experience and can anyone recommend a school in the Southern Cal area.

Thanks  Sparks

[Holden McGroin]

Something tells me Gh0stFT does it.  I imagine Torrey Pines would be a place to find out about it in So Cal.

[RAIDER14]

I wouldn't try it , being  held up in the air just  by a few strings doesn't sound like a good idea to me

[Sparks]

Thanks Holden - just checked out the website and it looks good . I will be taking a look at the weekend.

Raider - it is incredible. Just amazing. And you can pack it in your car and no hangarage or anything . It must be the easiest access flying available.

[AWMac]

Gnards <---- 12th man out on a 14 man stick, C130, Ft. Bragg 1977...1st one to hit the ground.

Chutes are over rated, Trees Rule!!!

Mac

[beet1e]

Sparks - I've done what was once called "parascending", in which you put on the harness with chute and stand on the back of a speedboat. With the chute fully inflated they start up the winch and you get let out on a ~100ft cord. I was hooked - literally! I haven't done it in free flight.

[deSelys]

Yes, Gh0stFT does a lot of paragliding AFAIK.

If you live near a suitable area, it is a wonderful sport. I'd like to try it this summer in France, but I'm afraid to become hooked....

It looks safer than it is, tho. A canopy can be folded in a bow-tie by invisible wind vortices or a downdraft can cause it to deflate. Having that happening to you at 100 ft will results in a lot of broken bones or even worse. Some manufacturers even offer a donut shaped 'reserve' as last ditch measure if a Zephyr turns your beautiful canopy in a big ball o' crap.

That being said, taking proper lessons and keeping common sense should greatly minimize the risks.


Keep us posted

[DREDIOCK]

I've worked on the top of a church steeple on a wooden scaffold held up by nothing more then a few 1X1s (thats one inch by 1 inch) nailed together.

I'd stood on the ledge of a 10 story building (technically 11 stories up) then  with no safety harness climbed down a rope 5 stories to get on a swing scaffold.

I've Canoed the upper Delaware River and shot rapids. at night while not wearing a life jacket.

I've Climbed to the top of a mountain (Seneca Rock West VA) without the use of climbing equipment other then a stick with a hooked end I found laying around a the base.

I've stood on the second to top rung of a fully extended 40 Ft ladder just to reach a spot I couldnt get at any other way with a strong wind blowing (Not an experiance I would reccomend for everyone)

But there is no way. NO WAY I am jumping out of an airborn plane that isnt either on fire or had its controls rendered useless LOL

[indy007]

Originally posted by DREDIOCK
But there is no way. NO WAY I am jumping out of an airborn plane that isnt either on fire or had its controls rendered useless LOL

That's good because in Paragliding/scending/sailing you don't have to jump out of anything Find yourself a clean patch of land for an impromtu runway, and off you go!

[Sparks]

Thanks deSelys.  Do you happen to know of contact details for him (e-mail) - if so can you ask him to PM me.

I'm planning to go down to Torrey Pines this weekend to have a look and talk to some instructors etc.

I wouldn't jump out of a plane with an un-opened chute but with this you know it's open before you go

It felt to me like how you fly in your dreams - just nothing round you and quiet - incredible experience.

[indy007]

... I just now realised that was a guy on his back & not a fan. Like this guy...



Ahh, it's called Paramotoring. So many different names & activities for dangling under a parachute =P

[deSelys]

Sparks, I don't have his e-mail but he posted here no later than yesterday and he should be attracted by this thread's title like a fly by a big fresh cow ****  

You can also send him an email by checking his profile

[Sparks]

Thanks again.  I looked for a profile but couldn't find a post to find a link - PC dyslexic ... Just e-mailed him

[Gh0stFT]

Hi Sparks, welcome to the world of paragliding! :D

like you said "And you can pack it in your car and no hangarage or anything . It must be the easiest access flying available."
thats why i started this back in 2003. No matter where i go with my
friends, i always have my bag with me and if the weather is ok, up & away!

My first flight was also a tandemflight in switzerland/klosters-davos,
after that i bought an old paraglider (1991) from ebay very cheap and started
training alone with just a book LOL.

I cant recommend this to you, dont do it, go to a proffesional school,
without the right knowledge this sport can kill you.

I dont know any school in California, never been there, so i cant help
you with that, but if you have some special questions, i will answere
it. In this sport i found peace, playing with the nature, flying around
for hours alone or with friends, enjoying the view & silence.

here now some pics from different locations:


2003 Switzerland / Klosters-Davos first tandemflight


flying Ebay crap, very riski! ;)


2004 Austria / Stubaital , yes i flown through the Clouds ;) /me crazy


2005 Slovenia / Kobarid


2005 Austria / Carinthia , just starting from the Emberger Alm.

[GtoRA2]

Ghost
 those are some great pics, but I dont get how it works? You just find a nice windy spot or what?   Is it based on updrafts on how long you can fly?