Who wants to learn to Paraglide with me

NorthStar · Since 02 Sep 2008 55 Posts

this would be sick !! I have wanted to try this for sometime now just a little spendy for me now but def will do it when I can .

Parapontificator · Since 09 Feb 2009 11 Posts North Coast Oregon

For a group, we could probably do something with 5-8 guys. The more the merrier as they say. Will have to chat with Maren about discount rates. (Would be easier with a group size and composition to figure out. All newbies? Some previous experience? Body weight? Plus a few other questions.)

As far as acro towing over the beach, keep in mind that we are towing over the sand. Landing in the ocean is not an option. The waves and the glider would wrap you up like a drowning mummy immediately. (For the inexperienced: It's stupid simple to land on the beach. We use the water as a safety buffer when learning how to expand our acro skills. Just not ocean water!!!) Besides, we don't have the boat out when beach towing.

We will be holding two Over the Water Safety Clinics in May at Yale Lake. Get up, throw down and go splash if you stuff it up. The boat will be on you in a minute or less. All good fun. Check out our calendar for the dates: http://www.discoverparagliding.com/Pages/calendar.html

I don't know how much we can do towards a 'good deal', but I know that 'good value' is something that we certainly try to offer. I know there are a couple of guys out in Hood River that have learned from us. Are they on this forum? Thoughts?

Brad

Parapontificator · Since 09 Feb 2009 11 Posts North Coast Oregon

Just realized I had a broken link on our home page to the videos of our Introductory Tandem Experience program. Most of you aren't looking for a tandem flight, but the vids will give you a good look at our location, and the kind of flights we get to have out here.

Check them out here: http://www.discoverparagliding.com/Pages/videos.html

The air to air shots in the first video were taken from my paramotor. I was just 'hanging out' waiting for them to come join me! Smile

You might want to check our our gallery too.

Brad

PS - I fixed the link too! Oops.

Mark · Mon Feb 09, 09 5:04 pm

Thanks for all the input. We are looking to get our P2 rating in the safest, quickest manor.
Please keep us informed of any and all "deals" that maybe out there. It sounds like we can get together enough people to make a group.

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

Hmmm, all of a sudden it dawned on me that my favorite flying sites could soon be invaded by hoards of new kiter-pilots...

Flying kooks?

Will Slingshot react and revolutionize paragliding by introducing the 1st inflatable wings?

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Feb 09, 09 8:48 pm

Mark, just watch some instructional videos on u-tube, buy some old gear on e-bay, and then find a big cliff and Sccchiiiinggg..... your paragliding. Thumb's Up

eli_anderson · Since 04 Jun 2007 507 Posts Addicted

www.discoverparagliding.com

if you come back to the mainland! Hit up these guys.

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

I thought the dog was supposed to hang its tongue out when you fly. You guys got it backwards.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

I've flown tandem with AP off hospital hill. Very cool indeed.

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

I did tandem in Switzerland.. It was sick... why not just learn there Wink

ran off a cliff around 4,000ft, and sailed up to 6,000ft.... then all the way down..
fun for sure! a little spendy though...

dude let me steer too on the way down.. Twisted Evil

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

It went onshore low teens today at Area B. It was soarable all afternoon. Brad and Maren did about 7 valentines day tandems further down the beach at Sunset.

The folks talking about learning to fly ought to start getting your ground handling and launch skills dialed in. Once Spring hits so does flying season. It would suck to have to waste good soaring conditions and watch other folks having a blast while you are stuck on the ground learning basics.

Parapontificator · Since 09 Feb 2009 11 Posts North Coast Oregon

Great day out here yesterday. We were able to take 3.5 Exclamation

couples up on a tandem flight , and spend some time working with a self taught PG pilot (the eighth in the group). Only worked with him for about 20 minutes as we were waiting for a storm cell to pass and we never touched a glider, but he said he learned more in that 20 minutes than he had to date. He will 'definitely be back' for more days of training soon!

FlyDunes is right, if you are wanting to have the best chance of some late spring/summertime flying, starting sooner is better than later. Ever been frustrated by those no-wind days in Hood River? Why not huck off Bingen launch for a nice flight, landing right in the marina?

Have you guys got a group yet? How many? Let us know the details, and we'll let you know how much and when...

Brad

PS - Yes, it was a bit chilly up at 3000' yesterday! But the view of all the snow capped mountains was stunning! Hearing all the girls giggle, laugh and scream with joy as we saw our shadows crossing over the wing was pretty cool too! Very Happy

Mark · Sun Feb 15, 09 10:24 am

Brad,
At the end of the novice lesson would we be P2 cert?

thanks
mark

Parapontificator · Since 09 Feb 2009 11 Posts North Coast Oregon

Mark,

Yes, that's the general idea. For us, it's not so much the P-2 certification, but the knowledge/ability to be your own pilot, and make appropriate flight decisions for your skill level. One of the big factors is a basic knowledge of meteorology, (included in the package). Have you ever been hit by a 'freak' gust of wind on the water? In paragliding, we need to expand our knowledge enough to read conditions well enough to not have 'freak' gusts surprise us. (Might have been a good idea for that guy in Florida? Wink

)

Flying the glider is actually pretty easy. Pull the left brake, go left. Right, go right. Both, slow down. Simple really. Complicated comes in knowing when is a good time not to fly, and what to do when things go wrong. (A bunch of other little things too.)

I think that you will find that at the completion of our 'P-2' program, you will in fact be pretty close to the requirements for a 'P-3' rating as indicated by the basic requirements.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any other questions. I always do when I am learning something new! Smile

Brad

kelly kellar · Mon Feb 16, 09 6:25 pm

I would love to have any or all of you take Paragliding lesson with me.

Mark · Wed Aug 12, 09 9:34 am **Come join me!**

Heading to my Paragliding lesson on Tuesday. Its a two day lesson with a focus on take offs and landings. Anyone interested?

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

Nice! Which instructor(s)?