The beginning
We arrive at Kamshet in the morning or afternoon depending on the weather conditions. We begin your first session in paragliding by introducing you to the equipment and the paragliding flying site. Your first training lesson is on flat ground where we explain and demonstrate the paragliding basics - canopy inspection, canopy lay out, how to connect oneself to the paraglider and most importantly the paragliding pre-flight checks.

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 pre-flight check.
The next step is to inflate the canopy and familiarize oneself with the canopy and controls.

Running along the ground with the wing above you, you will see how to control the wing's direction with the brakes (also used for steering). You will also learn to bring down the glider by using the brakes.

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.

After brief explanations and demonstrations, it's time to get started ! Don't expect anything in the first go, just follow the instructions and see what happens. After the first attempt things will begin to make some sense and your patient instructor will help and assist you to understand what's going wrong and why. Its like learning any other sport, playing around with the wing and a few more attempts will familiarize you with the wing and the controls.

Soon you will be able to inflate the glider with ease and be able to correlate its behavior with the wind conditions.

Leaving Ground
Now that you have an idea of the forward inflation technique, we are going to make it easier for you. We are going to go up a nursery slope and let you run down the gentle slope. The slopes will allow you to start to feel the lift created by the wing as you run with it.

Next you learn the take off and landing techniques by a simple use of brakes that will help you during your small lift offs.

You are now doing what are called as 'hops' (no its not a joke, they are really called hops!).

All along your instructor will keep giving you tips and tricks to improve your skills.

Once you have mastered your take offs and landings you will be ready for your first epic flight popularly known as your "FIRST SOLO" flight.

Going Solo
You are cleared for your first flight after your Instructors are fully convinced about your ability to fly solo and so are you. This is where the magic begins. You will be assisted for take off from a 200 ft hill and your flight will be radio supervised by your instructor and there will also be an Instructor down below as a landing marshal.

There is nothing quite your first solo. You are filled with a feeling of exhilaration, fear and excitement before take off and your Instructor will guide you how to overcome all this. And of course on landing
you will have the largest smile ever!

Be sure to get a camera as your first paragliding flight happens only once!