How to Forward Launch a Paraglider

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Paragliding is one of the most exciting extreme sports around. To fly a paraglider, you use your body along with the paragliding equipment to launch into the wind. One of the first launches learned by paragliding enthusiasts is the forward launch. The forward launch is ideal for days when the wind is low.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Check the positioning of your paraglider. You should have laid it in a horseshoe pattern with the wings facing straight into the wind. When preparing to do a forward launch, your body needs to face forward.
Step 2

Grab the brake and put the A riser in your arm. You are going to then reach under and back in order to place the A riser in your palm.
Step 3

Pull risers. After you have correctly positioned the brake and A risers, you are going to pull on the risers. Then take a quick look behind you to make sure that everything is correctly positioned.
Step 4

Take a half step back. When performing a forward launch, it is only necessary to take a small step back. You are then going to run as fast as you can with your hips pulling forward. You should launch with ease without the need of high winds.

Tips & Warnings

Once you master the forward launch, you can move onto the reverse launch. This is a more difficult maneuver and requires that you rotate to a forward facing position.
You should keep your palms open during a forward launch in order to prevent you from pulling on the equipment.

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Comments

mass1 said

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on 10/22/2009 Unfortunately you forget the two most important things for a good forward launch:

1) Position yourself symmetrical and directly facing the wind in front of the canopy. You can check the symmetric positioning by putting a slight tension on the A lines.

2) Don't pull the canopy up with your arms. You carefully lead it up and pull with your hips, while feeling how and in which direction the canopy moves. If it moves to one side then immediately move under it.