How to Paraglide Safely

Paragliding is among the most thrilling extreme sports out there, but in order to fully enjoy the sport and be a responsible participant, certain safety precautions must be taken. Responsibility includes knowing the risks and avoiding unnecessary hazards. Be aware of the following risks and suggestions to keep you safe from take-off to landing.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Take lessons from a USHGA Rated instructor. Do not attempt to teach yourself to paraglide.

2. Join a registered paragliding club. Familiarize yourself with the environment, techniques, equipment every chance you get.

3. Purchase proper equipment. It is best for beginners to buy new equipment to ensure quality and safety. Should you opt for second-hand goods, have them inspected by a registered instructor. Necessary equipment includes a canopy, harness, boots, helmet and flight suit.

4. Take into account the weather. This includes cliff level and mountain level winds, which can differ up to 10 mph once you're 100 feet in the sky. Never fly in winds in excess of 25-30 mph.

5. Know your limits. Don't push yourself to fly in weather conditions you aren't familiar with. Additionally, when first learning to paraglide, don't overestimate your abilities. Learning is pretty easy, and as a result can be very deceiving for beginners who think they've got the hang of it too soon. Slow down—don't rush your training.

6. Maintain your equipment. Have your wing, lines and fabric inspected yearly. Reserve parachutes must also be repacked annually.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't get cocky. Paragliding is a high risk sport as it is. There's no need to put yourself in excessive danger by showing off to your peers.

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[mass1]

on 10/22/2009 Having seen a 70 year old man paraglide, fat people paraglide, diabled people as well, there's one thing I can say for sure:
Paragliding is NO extreme sport at all. You can give a tandem-gif-certificate to your grandma and she will be able to do it most likely.
Paragliding is a risk sport to some degree, meaning you should know what you do and it will never be a safe as playing chess, but thats something else than an extreme sport.

And also note that most paragliders I know would recommend buying used gear for a beginner, simply because he will wear it a bit down in the training on the ground. That would be a shame on new gear. And used gear is a safe as new gear if you buy it from a reliable source. As new gear can be unsafe for a beginner if bought from a crook that tries to sell his leftovers.