Sometimes the adventure starts before your feet even leave the ground.
During this tandem paragliding flight at Las Coloradas, Gran Canaria, Mary was about to experience her first moments in the air when a strong gust turned the take-off into a rather spectacular one.
Two assistants were helping us during launch, we were flying with a 31 m² Bidule tandem wing, and as the wing came up the wind briefly pulled us strongly backwards.
The moment was caught on video.
More than 100,000 people have already watched it on Instagram.
What happened during the take-off?
To someone who has never flown a paraglider before, the scene may look fairly dramatic.
And, admittedly, it was!
In stronger wind, a paraglider can generate considerable force even before the pilot and passenger leave the ground. That is why controlling the wing correctly and having experienced assistance during take-off can be so important.
On this particular day at Las Coloradas, two assistants helped us manage the launch while the tandem wing inflated.
For a few seconds, instead of moving towards the take-off, the wind pulled Mary and me backwards.
Then everything changed.
Once airborne, the hectic few seconds on the ground became exactly what paragliding is all about: smooth flight, incredible views and the feeling of floating above Gran Canaria.
Flying at Las Coloradas in Gran Canaria
Las Coloradas is located in the north-east of Gran Canaria, next to La Isleta and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
It is one of the areas where experienced local pilots can fly when the wind direction and weather conditions are appropriate.
Gran Canaria offers something rather special for paragliding: mountains, volcanic terrain and ocean all within a very small geographical area.
That combination produces several different flying sites around the island.
It is also one of the reasons why tandem paragliding in Gran Canaria can offer such different experiences depending on the conditions of the day.
Strong wind doesn’t mean taking unnecessary risks
Paragliding is completely dependent on weather conditions.
Wind strength, direction, turbulence, clouds and the conditions at both take-off and landing all have to be considered before deciding to fly.
The objective is never simply to take off because somebody has booked a flight.
Sometimes we wait.
Sometimes we change flying site.
And sometimes we decide not to fly at all.
Choosing the right moment and the right place is an important part of tandem paragliding.
The unusual take-off you can see in the video is therefore not something we try to reproduce.
It is simply one of those moments that occasionally happen while flying in real conditions — and this time somebody happened to be filming.
Would you like to fly over Gran Canaria?
Fortunately, most tandem take-offs are considerably less dramatic than Mary’s!
Once in the air, tandem paragliding is surprisingly peaceful. You sit comfortably in the harness while the pilot controls the paraglider and you enjoy a perspective of Gran Canaria that is impossible to experience from the ground.
At Fly in Canarias, we offer tandem paragliding flights in Gran Canaria for visitors who want to experience real free flight with an experienced local pilot.
No previous paragliding experience is necessary.
You just need suitable weather, a pair of shoes you can run in and a desire to fly.
Ready to see Gran Canaria from the air?