About Paragliding

Paragliding is an exhilarating sport that involves flying lightweight, free-flying glider aircraft known as paragliders. This adventure sport is characterized by its foot-launching technique and the absence of a rigid primary structure, making it distinct from other aerial sports like hang gliding.

Overview of Paragliding

Definition and Equipment
Paragliding is defined as the recreational and competitive sport of flying paragliders, which consists of a fabric wing that maintains its shape through air pressure and aerodynamic forces. The pilot is suspended in a harness or cocoon-like pod below the wing, controlling the flight via lines attached to the trailing edge of the canopy.

Flight Characteristics
Despite being engine-free, paragliders can achieve flights lasting several hours and covering distances of hundreds of kilometers. Typical flights last between one to five hours, with altitudes often reaching several thousand meters through effective use of lift sources like thermals. The speed range for paragliders generally falls between 22 to 55 kilometers per hour (14 to 34 mph) depending on conditions and pilot input.

Launching and Landing

Techniques
Launching typically occurs from hills or mountains where the pilot inflates the wing by running downhill until sufficient speed is achieved. It’s necessary to know forward and reverse launching on the hill.
In flat areas, paragliders can be launched using winches or towing vehicles. Landing is also performed on foot, requiring careful consideration of wind conditions and terrain.

Training and Safety

Training Programs
Training for paragliding involves several levels, from beginner to advanced, often regulated by national bodies. Pilots learn essential skills such as ground handling (kiting), launching, and emergency maneuvers during their training.
Secondly, need to learn how to soar for longer and higher flying.
Courses often culminate in an SIV (Simulation of In-flight Variability) course to prepare pilots for managing potential in-flight incidents.

Safety Measures
Safety is paramount in paragliding. Helmets are mandatory, and pilots must be aware of weather conditions. Proper equipment checks and understanding local regulations are crucial for safe flying experiences5.

Paragliding Competitions

Competitions
Paragliding has a competitive aspect with events ranging from regional competitions to world championships governed by international organizations like the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Competitions test various skills including cross-country flying and precision landings.

Benefits of Paragliding

Paragliding offers a unique way to experience flight, combining adventure with the beauty of nature. With proper training, safety measures, and respect for weather conditions, it provides an accessible means for individuals to soar above landscapes and enjoy breathtaking views from the sky.
Apart from being an extremely fun and unforgettable experience which gives you the chance to see the world through different eyes. Furthermore, it gives you the opportunity to make great new friendships or experience the incomparable feeling of flying. But, besides that, you will have the chance to experience a wide range of positive both physical and mental health benefits of paragliding.

1. Enjoy the great health benefits of practicing paragliding outdoors

Apart from offering an endless source of fun and adventure opportunities, being outdoors surrounded by nature is extremely great and healthy for your body, mind, and soul. You will have the chance to breathe fresh air and feel how the warm rays of sun boot the mood as well as your immune system.
There are evidences enough which prove that vitamin D from the sun gives your body a great boost of serotonin, as well as contributing to a strong skeletal system.

2. Feel an amazing adrenaline rush

The adrenaline that is generated from flying not only gives your mind and body an amazing rush, but it also increases enormously your energy and consciousness as you are flying.

3. A great way to build your upper body strength​

It is worth to have good upper body strength while you are flying your paraglider. The more you handle your wing and fly, the stronger the muscles in your arms become. This fact improves and even increases the overall mobility, flexibility, and range of motion.

4. Get a great body balance and a stronger core

Among the health benefits of paragliding, you will also help to build a strong core, which helps with balance, posture, and stability. This aerial sport engages your deep core muscles, which strengthens your body so that it also reduces the risk of injury during exercises and activities.

5. No more stress thanks to paragliding

Thanks to this sport you will be focused on the present moment. That means a little boost of the zen that we all need to keep us from living in the past or worrying about the future constantly.
While you practice paragliding, your core focus is always on what is presently going on, leaving your concentration levels high. The chaos and the stress of your daily life seem to disappear once you are flying — giving your mind that reset it needed.

6. Paragliding gives you a boost of self-confidence

Although anyone can practice paragliding, there are lots of people who are afraid of trying it. Paragliding is a very mental sport. Do you know that feeling you get when you accomplish something you never thought you could? That is what you feel after your first flight!
After doing it, you wonder why you hadn’t tried it before, but you must see for yourself how relaxing, easy, and exhilarating paragliding is. Once you get the initial boost of self-confidence, you will be motivated to take your skills to the next level.
This confidence boost could even change your life because it can even be a great help in your daily routine. Paragliding may help you feel like a brand new person!

7. Paragliding is a great way to burn calories

Apart from the mental health benefits of paragliding, this sport is also a great workout, because of the adrenaline released during the flights.  You can burn around 230 calories an hour!

8. Paragliding helps you conquer your fears

We believe that tackling your fears head-on is the best way to overcome them. Paragliding gives you the opportunity to prove to yourself that you are able to accomplish anything you want to!

9. Paragliding sets you free

Do you want to feel freedom in its purest form? Do you want to feel free from fear, stress, anxiety, and gravity? Paragliding will take you away to a whole new world and will set you free as anything has before!

10. Enjoy awesome breathtaking views

Do you want to see the world from a different and new perspective? Paragliding gives you the chance to do it. Once you come back down to earth, you will have gained a new appreciation of the beauty of the world that we live in. Explore Tenerife with a paragliding flight to witness some of the most stunning landscapes imaginable.