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Tandem or Solo?

Many people ask us what the best way to experience paragliding is, tandem or solo? We absolutely feel that you will come away from the first day solo lesson with so much more for these reasons:
First of all, you are the pilot! You will learn to inflate, kite, run, launch fly and land the paraglider wing yourself. In a tandem, all the work is being done for you, and you are just along as a passenger. For some, this may be OK, but the overwhelming response to the first day lesson is "WOW, I can't believe it was so easy to fly!"

The First Day

We arrive at Elings Park at around 10 am in the morning, and get a wing and harness that fits your body weight. If you don't have your own helmet (bicycle or skateboard is OK), then we will fit you with one of ours. We will then determine if there is any wind, and lay the canopy out on the ground facing the direction the wind is coming. Once we attach the harness to the risers and put our helmets on, we will hook ourselves into the harness and do a preflight check.
Usually, your instructor will demonstrate a forward inflation, so you can see how the wing is brought overhead for inspection before launching. Running along the ground with the wing overhead, you will see how we control the wing's direction with the brake toggles. When it is time to bring the wing down, you will see them turn to face the glider and pull the brake handles down to their seat, making the wing stop and return to the ground.
We will then demonstrate how to gather the paraglider into a mushroom shaped ball, ready for carrying. This is how we walk with the glider so we don't drag the wing on the ground. You will also be able to ride in the van with the wing like this back to the top of the hill when you're ready, and there's no need to disattach or fold up each time you fly.

Now it's Your Turn!

After the brief demonstration, it's time to get started! Start with your helmet, we want this on securely before we get into the harness. Putting the harness on is like putting on a vest, just lift by the shoulder straps and put your arms through the straps. Secure the two leg straps and the chest strap, and adjust the legs to be just in contact with your legs, not too tight, you'll need to be able to run.
We will preflight your setup, then help you put the brake handles in the correct hands. Scooping your arms under the risers from behind, we'll place the "A" risers in your hands in preparation for your first inflation. We'll help you center yourself in front of your wing, then it's time for action! On our command, you'll run forward aggressively, pushing against the chest strap and lifting the "A" risers to inflate and bring the wing overhead.
Once it's up, we will say "Contact!" This is when you will slide your hands off of the "A" risers and make contact with the wing. You must continue to run, or the wing will lose pressure and fall back to the ground. Turning control is made using the brake toggles, and you will begin to balance the wing overhead.