I’ve always admired the sky. Watching birds dance with the wind, I wondered what it felt like to ride invisible currents high above the ground. Paragliding was something I’d thought about for years—but it always felt like a distant dream. That changed last weekend.
Facing the Fear
When I finally stood on the edge of the hilltop, harness strapped, glider billowing behind me, my heart raced. Not with excitement—pure fear. My instructor smiled calmly and said, “Just run. Don’t stop. The sky will catch you.”
I ran.
And then—I flew.
The Moment of Lift
There are no words for that first second your feet leave the earth. Everything you know about gravity, motion, and control disappears. The wind gently cradles you, the ground falls away, and suddenly you’re floating—suspended between sky and earth. The only sounds are the wind and your heartbeat, slowing as the fear melts into awe.
A New Perspective
From above, the world looks so different. Houses shrink into dollhouses, rivers turn into silver ribbons, and trees become brush strokes of green. The chaos of life quiets. You’re not just seeing the world—you’re feeling it.
We glided for nearly 20 minutes. I wasn’t ready for it to end. But all flights must land, and we touched down smoothly, my feet returning to earth but my mind still flying.
Why Everyone Should Try It
Paragliding isn’t just for thrill-seekers. It’s for anyone who wants to break out of routine, to feel something extraordinary, to reconnect with nature. You don’t need to be super fit or a daredevil—just curious, open, and willing to trust the sky.
Tips for First-Timers
- Go tandem: Let a professional handle the flight while you soak it all in.
- Wear comfortable clothes: Layers help at higher altitudes.
- Trust your guide: Their calm will become your calm.
- Bring a camera: But also, take a moment to just look without a lens.