TOP TIP - Collapsing your glider in strong winds - from Cross Country

Taken from the Kitchen Productions Ground Handling DVD this top tip will teach you how to collapse your glider safely in strong winds. This method best suited for experienced pilots uses the A’s to collapse the wing while stalling the other side.  To see sample video click here

How to videos on the basics of Paragliding

In this free video series learn all about paragliding, including wind conditions, gear & equipment, launching techniques & form, and more.

http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_6127_paragliding-techniques-instruction-beginners.html

hang gliding baker beach, old school photo

special thanks to william wood from bend, oregon for this amazing picture taken back when the fear of terrorist was rational. this site is consistently soarable and no longer accessible because of federal regualtions sadly.

This is my kind of fun, Paragliding a small ridge for hours

Rob's Paragliding Blog

This is an enjoyable pilots view of flying off mount Mannlichen.
http://www.glidergear.com/blog/2009/08/saturday-flying.html

Crazy Gliders France 2005

To Live is to Fly - Blog from the Netherlands on Paragliding

Niels Posthuma has the flying bug and I wish I had his job where he can take quite a bit of for his flying obsession thanks to his agreeable boss.

I like how they tow out there doing an upwind tow, downwind turn letting line out and then upwind tow again thereby getting much higher altitudes.

His blog can be found here "To Live is to Fly!"

China From the Air

Photographer George Steinmetz takes flight to capture a different view of China from a paraglider.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/05/china/aerials/steinmetz-photography

Ground Handling by Two brits four wheels

Paragliding – ground handling

08 August 2009 | Paragliding | Tags: Portugal

Why ground handle? Ground handling enables a pilot to become aware of the optimum ways, for that wing, to be launched and collapsed. Why are these important? Because pilots need to take off in a variety of wind conditions including light winds and strong winds. Your method for inflating the glider will differ in these winds. Learning from a text book or on a course is good however this needs to be supplemented by learnings specific to your glider.
I spent two hours on the beach (at Praia do Foz do Lisandro – out of everyone’s way) learning how to inflate the glider, hold it on the wind in the reverse position and forward, walking it around the beach and collapsing it in a variety of ways.
I spent another two hours on a very small sand dune at the mouth of the Obidos lagoon to experiment with launching in light wind conditions.
Was this useful? Very, this massively increased my confidence in launching in differing wind conditions, gave me the confidence to be in control of the wind and not the other way around and how to collapse my glider.
I fly a Sky Fides 2 Evo and tried the four recommended options to collapse my wing: 1. Rear risers; 2. ‘C’ risers; 3. Controls; 4. ‘B’ risers. Over the course of several experiments I concluded that the controls, the rear risers and the ‘C’ risers made for a nice collapse however the ‘B’ risers led to the canopy performing an unwanted full frontal tuck and then, near the ground falling backwards into the power zone. Had this been a very windy day, the ‘B’ line collapse could have yielded very unpleasant results. So, ground handle, learn how to use your wing in a variety of conditions.

written by Two Brits Four Wheels

Surf Reports and a fall day at Ocean Beach with pretty good surf

WetSand Swell Watch
I subscribe to their surf report email for accurate swell reports sent directly to my email.




This is an interactive web cam of Ocean Beach, San Francisco, CA just a few blocks from my house
thanks to WaveWatch

and here is a video I made of a fairly decent day at Ocean Beach. Music by Stated Life

About Sun Surf and Sky...

Sun Surf and Sky is here to provide education, entertainment and inspiration to those of you looking for adventure.

Located in San Francisco and serving the entire Bay Area.

We specialize in outdoor sports closely connected with nature like surfing and paragliding. Did you know you can fly a paraglider without a motor in updrafts for hours and land in the same place you launched from? Pretty cool.

Get inspired by the articles, videos and stories then contact us to book a lesson or buy equipment.

The Author is a professional blogger, photographer, surfer and free flight pilot.

If you would like to be a sponsor of this blog or have questions/comments please Email
me.

Lessons

Contact me to book a Surf Lesson, Tandem flight or to begin your own free flight pilot training and certification.

Various pricing, packages and locations available in the Bay Area. Group discounts available.


Email
your with your request for lessons or tandem flight. Please include the best method of reaching you and dates you prefer. I will be in contact with you within 24 hours.

What are waiting for? This is amazing :)

The United States Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association

This is the mother ship of the free flight community. Most official flying sites require membership with the USHGA which includes a beautiful, colorful, educational magazine and $1M insurance coverage in case you crash into something.

also on facebook groups!

Too much fun on a paraglider!

I can't believe everyone doesn't do it! Paragliding

"Paragliding is the closest thing to flying like a bird, and I can't believe everyone doesn't do it. There is nothing as magical as sharing a thermal with an eagle, and many other raptors as well. They seem to recognize us as kindred spirits. At least they aren't bothered by us, unless you happen to accidentally fly too close to a nest, which I have never done. I have seen another pilot being attacked by a hawk, probably for that reason." - more by The Seattle Barista Killer