Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.
Leonardo da Vinci
Paragliding (and its related free flight sport Hang Gliding) are the closest humans can come to flying like birds. Both are mechanically unaided flight (with the exception of Towing to get into the air in the flats). Pilots use various air currents to soar higher than where they launched from. Many different types of paragliding exist, including cross country flying, competition flying, acrobatics, speed flying (staying close to the ground), as well as simply cruising around a local site and enjoying the thrill of flying.
Paragliding provides access to views of nature and experiences in a way that is unequaled by any other form of flying or outdoor adventure. Additionally, the compact size and lightness of gear allow paraglider pilots to combine flying with hiking, or even backcountry camping (called ‘Vol Bivouac’)
The convenience of paragliding allows for flying with minimal logistics. Paragliders can be ready to fly in under 5 minutes after arriving at the launch site. They are also packed away into a backpack for easy transport in the smallest vehicles, or to be carried on foot to a remote launch.
