Safety
As an air sport, paragliding can be a dangerous activity, thus necessitating a number of safety measures to reduce the likelihood of undesirable incidents. A variety of factors come together to either compose a beautiful experience for the flyers or create a challenging or unpleasant situation.
The biggest part of keeping safe in paragliding is respecting the weather conditions. We will not fly if the winds are too strong, if the takeoff area is in the cloud and we can’t see where we are going, or if there is a thunderstorm nearby. It is always better to be on the ground wishing to be up in the air, than the other way around; if the conditions are not as needed, we will simply wait until they are OR we will reschedule to the nearest available date that is convenient for you. We expect a 5-try commitment as that removes unnecessary pressure on the pilots, meaning they will easily make decisions based everyone’s safety. It’s a win-win for everyone, as we get to do our job properly and you get a fantastic and safe adventure!
In tandem paragliding, both pilots and passengers need to be aware of their roles:
Pilot role: on the pilot side, obviously training and experience are of greatest importance. The only safe way to fly is with properly licensed, conservative pilots who have plentiful local experience and know what to expect from the flight sites. The pilot will conduct a thorough passenger briefing to ensure proper communication and leave little space for surprises. Paragliding is an extremely weather-sensitive activity, which means the pilot will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the weather, making decisions accordingly.
Passengers: In order to correctly select your gear, we need accurate weight info. There is a minimum weight of 35 kilograms, and a maximum weight of 100 kilograms. Anyone who is near the minimum or the maximum will need to be extra patient, as we will either need gentle wind conditions for the light passengers, and reasonably strong breezes for the heavy passengers. Also, participants over 80kg need to understand that their flights might be much shorter if the winds are not strong enough.
Beyond that, you need to be sure that you indeed are able to make the hikes to the flying locations. You should show up on time and in tip-top shape, as a good chunk of the experience depends on your performance, ability, and mindset. Thus, hangovers are definitely NOT recommended.
As newbies, passengers should pay attention to briefings and follow instructions. While the pilots take care of the equipment setup and operation, passengers are responsible for personal items such as correct footwear, clothing, food, and water. Showing up for a flight on a hot July day without a bottle of water will quickly turn into an unpleasant experience, as will wearing shorts for a January trip. It is always better to over prepare and giggle about it afterwards than to be uncomfortable at the top of a mountain.
