Smooth Sailing- Paragliding

Paragliding was probably the most exciting and exhilarating Bucket List item that I have done so far.  Funny how every time I think something might be fun then I add it to my Bucket List so that I can justify doing it.  Seems to be working well... although I'm glad the season is about over so that I can save more money again!

No one wanted to do this with me--despite the availability  of a 50% coupon--- but several friends came with me to watch, cheer me on, share my excitement afterward, and serve as a ground camera crew.  Most of the pictures were taken from the ground, although I took one clip of the take off and soaring in the air.  Sometimes I miss almost the whole experience because I am so busy filming and taking pictures and I didn't want this to happen.

Cloud 9 made the a wonderful experience for me.  There wasn't much of an upstream wind like there usually is in the morning, so most people were just sailing from the upper to the lower parking lot pretty quickly.  Normally, with good currents you can land a few feet from where you take off.  One other guy was doing the tandem paragliding and they had him go first.  We all watched him and it looked like he totally face planted during the landing.  Ouch!  It definitely wasn't smooth or graceful and increased my anxiety quite a bit.  Because his ride was so short, he got to do a second ride. While extremely excited waiting, I have to admit that I was more nervous about this experience then I have been for most of the others.  When it was my turn, they went over some safety information and how the take off would be and then strapped me into the harness.  I asked questions about the landing and was told that they would address that when we got closer to landing.  Yikes!

As you are taking off and the wind fills the wing, it yanks you backwards when you want to go forward.  One of the guys helped pull on me so that I took off and didn't run as far.  I had explained that I was nervous about running or landing far away from the parking lot and having to walk a lot.  But, no worries.  We took off and it was funny running and then not feeling the ground under my feet.  My tandem pilot then helped me get into the seat harness so that I could relax and enjoy the ride.  I think I got lucky because we caught a wind that allowed us to circle back towards where we had taken off so I could wave at the onlookers.  What a feeling!  Not sure how to describe it other than that it was a total rush, very exhilarating and freeing.  Like flying with the eagles.

As we got closer to the lower parking lot, the guy said to just keep my legs straight out in front of me and land on my bum.  The seat harness has a little padding on it.  While not too graceful, it worked like a charm and the landing was smooth.  Was just so incredibly happy!