Are you ready for your first paragliding experience? But before you take off, you still have some questions? First of all, you don’t need to be an athlete to try this experience! All you will be asked to do is follow your pilot in short strides during take-off and landing. No need to run a marathon! The limits: from 5 years old and a maximum weight of 90 kg recommended, even 110 kg in tandem flight in the afternoon. Our team of professionals will explain everything to you!
Ready to take off
Paragliding takes off from a slope, hence the name paragliding! First the pilot positions his deployed wing on the ground facing the slope and then positions himself in the harness. Then two options are possible: a so-called « dynamic » take-off, where the pilot runs towards the slope, in order to inflate and raise the glider which will be facing the wind; or a static take-off, on the spot, which consists in raising the glider only thanks to the wind, which inflates when there is enough air between the two parts of the wing.
In the air
During your paragliding flight, your pilot will control two crucial elements: speed and direction. For speed, the controls, sometimes also called brakes, will accelerate or brake the glider. When the controls are released, the speed is at its maximum, and when they are pulled back, the speed is reduced by increasing the angle of incidence of the glider. For an ideal discovery flight, it is a question of finding the most suitable speed: the ratio between the horizontal travel speed and the vertical sink rate must be optimised. Another element is the steering of the glider, which is also controlled by the speed controls. Just by pulling a control, you can change the angle of incidence and make a turn in mid-air! You can also influence the direction by shifting your weight on the harness to one side or the other, as the glider is connected to the harness. The flight, which lasts 15 to 30 minutes, will allow you to enjoy all the sensations, with the magnificent Lake Annecy as your landscape. Enjoy it before… landing.
Back on the ground
A few meters above the ground, the pilot begins to manoeuvre the wing to face the wind. Then it’s time to gently pull on the brakes to slowly bring the wing to a stop for a smooth landing. On landing, you should accompany the landing by taking a few quick steps and then stop as the canopy lands.