Paragliding is popular in many countries throughout the world. The minimum age that one can legally participate is 14. There is no maximum age limit as there is with parachute jumping. Paragliding is actually considered one of safest of the “extreme” sports. This is because the speed of the flight is slowest of any form of human flight. The sail is directly over the participant, and the ability to slow one’s descent is controlled by wires directly attached to the sail above.
The first location where paragliding was accomplished by climbers in the Alps. They simply wanted a way to descend the mountains that they climbed as quickly as possible. At first, they took parachutes, and jumped off the mountains. Gradually, they refined the design of the parachute to allow for horizontal travel, and soon, controls were added.
In Europe, there are hundreds-of-thousands who paraglide. This is because of the easy access to mountain terrain, and an abundance of easy ways up the mountains. There are bicycle paths, roads, and many chair lifts already in place for the enthusiast.
Statistically speaking, having an accident in paragliding is about as common as being thrown from a horse, and suffering an injury. In 2005, three people died in the United States from injuries relating to paragliding, out of many thousands who participated in the sport. In the same year, 50 people were hospitalized with injuries, but just 18 required more than one night in the hospital. The years following 2005 have been reported as being safer than that than benchmark year.
The only limitations on where you can fly in the United States come under the jurisdiction of CASA, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The only restrictions are that no flight can begin at an altitude over 10,000 feet, and no flight can take place in regulated air-space. There are some local laws that must be observed, especially in urban areas, near highways, and around electrical lines.
The cost of gear for paragliding is around $4,000 for the sail and harness, and approximately $1,000 for instruction. Besides the basic gear, there is no limit to devices such as altimeters and GPS units that one can invest in. Most of the supplies are available as used equipment for less cost.
Other essentials include warm clothes and gloves, because high altitudes are cooler, even on warmer days. One must have a helmet. A radio is generally a welcomed device, in case you fly off course. A license is required, as well.
Enthusiasts can enjoy the sport of paragliding, and recording their experience with a wide-range of helmet-mounted or canopy-mounted video cameras. For those who do not desire to fly, themselves, these video recordings help make it seem as if you were actually flying.
Paragliders are showing a growing interest in the use of mini-digital cameras, such as the GoPro 1080p camera and GoPro lcd bacpac to view the pictures. Optional cases are included in GoPro accessories that make this camera the top choice for extreme sports enthusiasts. Get more informationat goprospot.com!
