A sunny day, beautiful clouds, the Atlantic Ocean below us… and then Joselyn screamed.
We were flying tandem at Las Coloradas, Gran Canaria, enjoying perfect views over the volcanic landscape and the sea, when it was time to add a little more excitement to the flight.
Flying on a 41 m² tandem paraglider, we entered a spiral.
Joselyn’s reaction says pretty much everything.
This short moment has already been played more than 136,000 times on Instagram.
What is a spiral in paragliding?
A spiral is a dynamic paragliding manoeuvre in which the glider enters a steep, fast turn.
Instead of simply gliding forward, the paraglider begins turning while descending more quickly. The speed increases and the pilot and passenger can feel considerably more force than during normal straight flight.
From the ground, it looks spectacular.
From the passenger seat, it feels even more spectacular.
And sometimes it produces exactly the kind of scream you can hear from Joselyn in the video.
Is every tandem paragliding flight like this?
Not at all.
One of the great things about tandem paragliding in Gran Canaria is that the experience can be very different depending on the passenger, the weather conditions and the type of flight.
For many people, simply floating peacefully above the landscape is already an unforgettable experience.
Others want a little more adrenaline.
When conditions allow it and the passenger wants to experience a more dynamic side of paragliding, manoeuvres can add speed, movement and a completely different sensation to the flight.
The important thing is that the flight is adapted to the person flying with us.
You don’t need to be an adrenaline junkie to fly tandem.
Flying above Las Coloradas in Gran Canaria
Las Coloradas is one of the spectacular flying areas in the north-east of Gran Canaria, next to La Isleta and the Atlantic Ocean.
On a clear day, the combination of volcanic terrain, blue ocean and clouds creates an incredible backdrop for a tandem flight.
The day we flew with Joselyn was exactly like that.
Sunshine above us, beautiful clouds around the island and the Atlantic stretching out to the horizon.
For a few moments we were simply enjoying the view.
Then came the spiral.
From peaceful flying to pure adrenaline
This contrast is one of the things that makes paragliding so special.
One moment you can be sitting comfortably in the harness, looking at the coastline and enjoying the silence.
A few seconds later, the paraglider can enter a dynamic turn and suddenly you feel speed, centrifugal force and a rush of adrenaline.
And then, just as quickly, the flight can return to being smooth and relaxed.
It is an experience that is difficult to explain until you have actually been in the air.
Do you need experience to fly tandem?
No.
You don’t need any previous paragliding experience to make a tandem flight.
The pilot controls the paraglider while you enjoy the experience.
Before take-off, we explain what you need to do and what to expect. Once airborne, you can simply enjoy the views — and decide whether you prefer a relaxed scenic flight or, when conditions permit, something with a little more excitement.
Tandem paragliding in Gran Canaria with Fly in Canarias
At Fly in Canarias, we offer tandem paragliding flights for visitors who want to discover Gran Canaria from an entirely different perspective.
Mountains, volcanic landscapes, beaches and the Atlantic Ocean look very different when there is nothing between you and the view.
And every flight is different.
Some passengers want to float peacefully above the island.
Others want to feel what Joselyn felt during this spiral.
Maybe you want both.
Would you like to experience tandem paragliding in Gran Canaria?
Fly with Fly in Canarias and discover the island from the air.