Overview
We conduct paragliding courses in convenient areas close to Cape Town, Hermanus and in the Wilderness.
Our Basic Licence paragliding course has a duration of 12 days which can be achieved over a three month period. Learn to paraglide using the latest equipment and with the knowledge that your professional instructor is licensed with SAHPA. You can join us for the full Basic Licence course or over a weekend a short introductory course at a nominal fee, the choice is yours.
Undertaking our Introductory Class over a two-day period at the beginning and end of each course will give you an insight into what paragliding has to offer. We will in the two day period have you taking your first solo flights which shall set the bar against which you can decide to continue and do a full Basic Licence Course or you will walk away safely having experienced paragliding.
Whichever route you are planning on taking the Introductory Class or Basic Licence course or are just toying with the idea, it is highly recommended that you order the text material ahead of time to get started early! “Touching Cloudbase” by Ian Currer is the textbook we recommend to get you on your way.
* All courses Include the use of schools equipment.
Paragliding Introductory Course
Your course begins with a little theory conducted in classroom discussion and videos on the mechanics, equipment and techniques of paragliding. You then move to the training grounds for practical skills development and practise inflating and controlling your wing on the ground, learning launching, landing, and steering skills before introducing the element of flight.
You will be presently surprised to find out how keen you will be to get your feet off the ground and take your first flight. As fledglings you will have a radio and be given clear direction during these early flights. Even a fear of heights is easily overcome as the level of control you experience is reassuring and you will not have the sensation of falling.
The course is designed as an introduction to the sport that will enable you to make an educated decision regarding paragliding and you. If you decide to continue with the Basic Licence Course, the Introductory Course fees will be applied towards the Basic Licence fee.
Price: R2500.00 (Deductable from full course fee.)
Includes: Equipment, ground-handling, basic paragliding theory, 3-5 flights (weather dependent).
Most people have one of two reactions after their first two-days:
Either: “Cool! What an amazing experience; onward to the next adventure – next week wind surfing and then bungee-jumping after that.” or “Wow! I’ve wanted to fly like a bird all my life! I’m going to quit my job, sell the kids, buy a motor home and take up paragliding full time.” BE WARNED – paragliding is highly addictive!
To pursue the sport, you will want to take a Basic Licence Course that will prepare you to start paragliding on your own without the supervision of an instructor.
The Fine Print…
If we are unable to complete a program due to any operational shutdown, or circumstance arising from unforeseen events we will pro-rate a refund or merchandise exchange.
- There are no refunds or exchanges for students who terminate programs.
- Programs are not transferable to another individual.
- A surcharge may be applied if a student has missed training for more than 6 weeks. Students on certification programs may join any class where space permits.
- Classes are limited to a maximum of two new students and four Basic Licence program students per instructor per day unless otherwise arranged.
- Reservations are required and are not confirmed until a deposit has been paid.
- The deposit for the Intro Class and the Basic Licence Course is the full amount of the course.
Deposits are refundable only if a qualified replacement student can be found for your reservation. Paraglide South Africa reserves the right to modify, change, or delete any aspect of the training programs or fees at any time. Students are required to have their own medical insurance. Please note: The minimum age for a student is 16 years old.
NO INSURANCE IS PROVIDED! TRAIN AND FLY AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Basic Licence Course
Congratulations on your decision to become a certified paraglider pilot. The program you are embarking on is designed to give you the best results but is a thorough and intensive course for which the outcome is to turn you into a safe, confident and competent pilot.
During this program you will learn about glider aerodynamics, meteorology, thermal flying, ridge soaring, flight manoeuvres and emergency procedures. The course starts at our local training fields and progresses to our training hill in D’Urberville Hills where the mild weather conditions and forgiving slopes provide gentle low take offs and easy landings for your first solo flights. Here we focus on building your launching, landing and flight techniques through intensive ground handling and repetitious flights, before progressing to higher launch sites.
The course length is variable, the average student taking 9 days to complete the logged skill requirements and Basic Licence written exam, but our objective is to give you that extra input and we therefore include 3 extra days to help you build your confidence and ensure you get some advanced flying tips that will see you safely integrated into the wonderful world of paragliding.
You will have the greatest success in paragliding if you can immerse yourself in the course and then continue with regular flying, perfecting of your ground handling and aerial skills long after you have completed the course. Paragliding is a never ending learning experience.
The down side is that if you require more than 15 days, or 6 weeks from your initial lessons to complete your Basic Licence course, additional fees will be required.
So give it “HORNS” and get your licence! Private lessons are available at R300/hour.
Don’t forget to bring your sunglasses, sunscreen, lots of water, something light to snack on, your manual and proof of payment. After completion of the course you will have acquired the skill and knowledge to fly without direct instructor supervision at most of the sites in South Africa.
This course is internationally recognised and the beginning of your free-flying career. For those who live in Cape Town, you have the option to join the Glen Paragliding Club. Our clubhouse is at Clifton, directly below Lions Head, our home flying site. The landing zone is the green field in the picture to the left.
At our monthly meetings, first Wednesday of every month, you will have the opportunity to meet like minded people passionate about flying. The cost of this Basic Licence course is R8500.
Book today!
Sport License
An Intermediate pilot is able to fly most sites in mild to moderate soaring conditions and to judge when the site and conditions are within their skill, knowledge and experience level. However a Sport Licence pilot is truly a pilot capable of making his own decisions that will take him to new heights and open new and exciting possibilities in the world of paragliding.
In this course you will fly more demanding sites and conditions, and perfect such techniques as thermal flying, side-hill landings, top-landings, and high-wind launches. We will take you as far as you want to go.
Price:R600/day or R5000/full 7 day course
Course Content:
- Thermalling skills
- Cross Country flying & Competition flying skills
- Speed to fly
- Micro meteorology
- Instrumennts (use of) – vario & GPS
- Decison making
- Advanced safety manoeuvres are included in this course.
Cross Country
What is it: comprehensive advanced paragliding training.
Who is it for: pilots wanting to learn more about paragliding and improve their flying skills.
Duration: 1 -2 days
Price: R1800*
Entry Requirements: Sahpa Basic Licence or higher, radio, reserve, water, sun screen, good shoes, a desire to go Cross country and a tolerance for moon country! We also require pilots to use certified paragliders.
Course Format: the course starts at 9am and ends at 5pm at whatever site we deem most suitable for the day.
Practical Instruction:
- Launching – solve launch problems and learn to choose the best moment to launch.
- Thermalling – we will teach you some tricks of the trade to help you learn or perfect your thermalling technique.
- Xcountry – we will guide you to house thermals, up to base, off and away to a goal set in the morning.
- Comps – attempt a task under our guidance.
- Safety – prevent, control and recover from deflations and practise deploying your reserve.
The purpose of the clinic is to enable pilots to gain a full understanding of the principles of thermalling and cross-country flying. We will try to achieve this through a mixture of discussion and practical flying, depending of course, on the weather conditions.
Where: Porterville is a popular site as well as Hermanus Sir Lowry’s pass and De Aar (towing – and De Aar is a long way away so the course is more expensive at this venue) . We will use whichever sites offer the best potential conditions.
When: see our calendar for upcoming courses.
How: Course size is restricted to eight pilots so make sure to book early to make sure you are not disappointed! See pictures in the photo gallery or click here to book now!
Frequently Asked Questions
