Paragliding
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PARAGLIDING
 Have you ever wanted to fly over the countryside and have everything imaginable in your sight? Believe it or not, it's possible to do! The answer is paragliding. You feel as if you have your own set of wings attached to your back. Paragliding is a whole new experience that everyone needs to try! Just imagine looking down on the earth beneath you, being able to see everything in an entire different perspective. It is the ultimate sport for those of you who are adventurous, brave, and seek ways to feel that adrenaline pumping through your body! Paragliding is simple. All you have to do is pick a spot, get the gear, learn the techniques, and you are good to go!
Paragliding is easy when you have the right spot to do it. It is possible to paraglide in a variety of areas. Just be sure that the area you choose is extremely open. You can use large hills, cliffs, or even mountains. If you do not have an area like this close by, do not get discouraged. A vehicle can even tow a paraglider by a winch, and then release the tether. This can sometimes create a higher, more thrilling start than most mountains can offer. Wherever your favorite spot may be, it must be somewhere that you can catch wind gusts. This will make your flight a huge adrenaline rush, and if there is enough wind, you can fly for hours! Usually, the stall speed for paragliding can be as low as twelve miles per hour, and as fast as thirty! The speed is simply based on what type of canopy you choose. To obtain low speeds, your best choice would be a beginner's wing. However, to reach the maximum speed, your best bet would be to choose a high performance wing. In comparison to hang gliding, paragliding has a lower glide ratio. Hang gliding has a ratio of 15:1, while paragliding has a ratio of 11:1. Depending on your preference, this can be a good thing. There are three different ways to paraglide. One way is called ridge soaring. This is when the glider glides above some sort of ridge along the ground. This causes the air to be forced up underneath you. When the sun warms large rocks or buildings, this results in thermals and can guide the paraglider higher and higher. This is known as thermal gliding. The third way to paraglide is called cross country gliding. In order to do this, you must master the art of thermal gliding first. Cross country gliding is when the glider goes from thermal to thermal. Which ever way you choose, you can definitely count on getting the ultimate rush!
Paragliding tends to be a little more complicated than other sports such as hang gliding, however it is well worth it! If you are interested in free flying, then you must be familiar with the Federal Aviation Regulations, as well as aircraft control training. Don't worry, this is not as hard as it sounds! The training mainly consists of knowing the aeronautical theory, in addition to having meteorological knowledge. Despite people's beliefs, there are a few dangers involved in paragliding. However, if the right precautions are taken, worrying is not necessary. Before flying, one must get the right safety gear, which includes a helmet, safety goggles, and an emergency parachute. Paragliding is a very convenient hobby to have. Whenever you feel the mood, you can just fold the canopy up and put into the "rucksack," which is a small bag. The harness, along with the rucksack, can easily fit into a large backpack. Once this is done, you can hike up your favorite mountain, and live the ultimate dream! No matter if you enjoy being with people or if you enjoy doing things alone, hang gliding is the sport for you! If you are craving the sport, but don't want to go alone, then that's not a problem. There is always the option of tandem paragliding! This is where the harness is made to hold the pilot, as well as a passenger. These gliders tend to be bigger, however, if you're a true adrenaline junkie, then you will love these due to the fact that they are able to reach higher speeds. They are also more resistant to collapsing. There are even annual paragliding competitions if you get really good! For those of you who seek an adrenaline rush, paragliding is the sport for you! It is the ultimate thrill ride that everyone needs to experience at least once in their lifetime. It will take your breath away! 
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