Category : Aero Sport
Major Sites : Towerl Hill, Shelar Hill, Billing
Best Season : Throughout the year
About Paragliding
The thrill of flying in the open sky like free birds has lured man into
trying different things since the ancient times. The invention of the
airplane fulfilled this desire upto a certain extent but the charm of flying
in the open sky while having a panoramic view of the surroundings as cool
air brushed past, was somewhat missing. If you have had the same desire,
then Paragliding is just the kind of sport you must try. One of the newer
sports in the world of aero-adventure sports, paragliding has become a rage
with adventure sports enthusiasts since its first flight a few years back. A
paraglider, unlike parasiling or parajumping is a wing of nylon cloth with
the suspension attached to a harness, designed to safely hold the pilot.
Launched from the cliff of a hill, the glider is maneuvered by pulling the
control strings left or right, while both are pulled to apply the brakes for
landing.
Paragliding Tips
- Paragliding is an exciting sport which can be learnt with a few hours
of training. Whether you have tried a hand at the sport before or are
new to the sport, a few hours of practice is highly recommended to
acclimatise yourselves to the conditions.
- The three basic techniques of paragliding are launching, turning and
landing, all of which if followed earnestly should be able to provide
you with a memorable experience.
- Do not try too many stunts while flying, especially if you are new to
the sport.
- Wear all the safety equipment properly and if you are still not sure,
then accompany a trained pilot in a specially designed two seater
glider.
- Like all other adventure sports, there is a risk factor involved in
paragliding, but recent developments in the safety field have created a
good record of successful flights.
Major Paragliding Sites in India
Towerl Hill
Situated on the Mumbai-Pune highway near Kamshet, Towerl Hill is located at
an altitude of 2900 feet above the sea level. One of the best spots for the
sport of paragliding in India, Towerl hill boasts of a large take off area
and excellent landing areas beneath, which are suited for both the
professional and amateur paragliders. While soaring for hours in the open
sky, you can easily gain heights of upto 2000 feet from the ground level.
Best season are the months from October to February.
Shelar Hill
Just 8 km from Kamshet lies another hot-spot for paragliding enthusiasts.
Best suited for professional paragliders, the take off site at Shelar hill
is situated at an altitude of 270 feet from the ground level after which you
can easily gain heights of upto 2000 feet. The paragliding season starts
during February and continues till the end of May.
Kanifnath
Kanifnath or Kaneefnath is situated just 22 km from Pune city on Sholapur
road near Hadapsar. Located at an altitude of 1000 feet from the ground
level, the slopes here range from 65 degrees to 80 degrees. Boasting of a
good take off area, the site is preffered for ridge and thermal soaring
while some people even like to do paramotoring from Kanifnath to the flying
club at Hadapsar. The gliding season is from October to February.
Pavna
A recently discovered paragliding site, Pavna is located on the Mumbai-Pune
highway, near Kamshet. The take off area is large and clear while the
landing is away from the hill as the base of the hill has fensing and a few
electric poles. The paragliding season lasts between February and May.
Billing
Situated in the beautiful Kangra valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh,
Billing is an excellent spot for the sport which boasts of breathtaking
natural beauty which you can enjoy while soaring in the air hundreds of feet
from the ground. Though it is meant for both professionals and amateurs, a
few hours of practice under the guidance of a trained professional is
recommended before you take off.
