Paragliding

adventure sport · flying · extreme sports · skill-based

Lightweight fabric wing. The wing is made of special fabric held in shape by strings called suspension lines. Air pressure pushing into vents at the front of the wing, plus the wind flowing over it, keeps the whole thing inflated and flying.

Pilots in a harness. Instead of sitting in a cockpit like airplane pilots, paragliders sit in a harness or pod that hangs below the fabric wing. It's much lighter and simpler than any airplane.

No engine needed. Paragliders are foot-launched, which means you jump off a mountain or hill and let the wind and air currents lift you up. You don't need a motor or runway to fly.

Both recreation and racing. Some people paraglide just for fun and the amazing views, while others compete in races and challenges to test their flying skills.

Flying with air currents. Skilled paragliders use warm air rising from the ground called thermals to climb higher and stay in the air longer, sometimes for hours.