Paragliding in Queenstown - 'Sweet'

The first time I heard the term 'paragliding' was whilst I was at Charlotte Mason College in the Lake District. The landlord of the pub I worked in, the Golden Rule, was a passionate paraglider - and would happily jump off any peak in the Lakes for the pleasure of spiralling down. He often said he would take me one day, but we never got around to it (and secretly I was rather relieved.) 

Years later, whilst on holiday in Switzerland, I watched hundreds of paragliders descending into the centre of the town at Interlaken, and knew it was something I wanted to try, but I did not know if I would have the nerve.

Whilst I was in Nepal in October, I had the good fortune of staying in Pokhara for a couple of nights (either side of my trekking in the Annapurna region) and it rekindled my desire to try paragliding as they were everywhere. Unfortunately, when I tried to book in, they had no spaces available for me. I made a mental note to keep an eye open in the future and thought New Zealand would probably provide my next opportunity.

Therefore, when I checked into my hillside room at Queenstown (the home of extreme sports in NZ), looked out over the amazing vista before me and watched a paraglider sail past - I took it as a sign.

I promptly walked into town, went to the nearest activity information centre and enquired about paragliding. Before I could stop to think about it I paid up. I now had a date with a paraglider at 9.00am the next day.

I slept well, but with a sense of excitement that was tinged with anxiety. This morning I found my thermal leggings, vest, gloves, hat and neck buff and wrapped up ready for my adventure. As usual I arrived early and waited for my transport. Queenstown has two paragliding outfits. One launch from the peak behind the gondola ride over the city itself, whilst the other, the one I had chosen, head up a nearby mountain (Coronet Peak) to a height of 2,500 feet (nearly double the height of the Queenstown central jump.)

I was aware of two women sitting at a nearby bench as I waited, and it crossed my mind to ask them if they were waiting for the paraglide transport too, but I was too wrapped up in my own building sense of concern. When the minibus arrived the three of us got up. It looked like I would not be jumping alone.

                                

Three pilots, three passengers and one driver. We all introduced ourselves and soon we were speeding to our launch site. The view as we pulled up was outstanding, but it was so high! My mouth was dry and my smile was strained.

                                

    

They weighed me and assigned me to my pilot Omar. Quietly and professionally we all started to get kitted up and into our harnesses. And then we waited. Linda's pilot saw a change in the wind direction and before we knew it she was gone. Simple as that.

                                

      

Omar told me to come over and get attached to his tandem harness. I said a quick prayer, looked at the stunning views ahead of me and calmed my breathing. Omar reminded me "remember, I'll ask you to walk - you must keep upright. Then I'll ask you to run and you run. Don't hesitate. Are you OK?" I assured him I was and I waited for his command. The seconds passed. The minutes passed and we stood there. "I am sorry Paul. I do not like having people clipped in and waiting, but the wind is not right." I assured him I was still alright and said another quick prayer. He then said "no, no, no," as he came to some internal decision and he unclipped me and then himself, "we will not go just yet Paul."

                                

I went for a short walk to the edge. It was not a precipice, but rather a very steep hill - very steep. I rehearsed the drill. We walk towards the edge, we run, we hit the steep down hill and we really run! The steep hill ended 30 metres in front of me and then there was just sky. I looked at the area Omar had said we would be landing. It was miles away and 2,500 feet below me. I was hypnotised by the view and was suddenly aware of my name being called. "Paul, Paul, we go now. Come."

We clipped in in seconds. I looked out into the distance. Omar said the word 'walk' into my ear. I did. He then said 'run'. I did. He then shouted "run" and I did. My legs were like those belonging to a cartoon character as we took off. They were still running in mid air as the ground disappeared below me and suddenly we lifted up and shot over the edge. 

It was amazing. It was exhilarating. It was tremendously exciting. I was flying. Omar told me to relax and sit back into my seat harness. He then started to take photos and videos and point out the features of the landscape below. I grinned from ear to ear and babbled with excited chatter abut the speed, the wind, the land, his flying...I think Omar enjoyed my enthusiasm. Over the wind I heard him say we were travelling at 40km/hr.

                           

As we neared our destination Omar asked me if I was up for a little aerobatics? He gave me the camera and told me to lean in the direction he commanded. When he shouted "left" I swear the ground vanished from my eyeline and was replaced by sky. On the command "right" we swung insanely back in a spiral and I am convinced we looped the loop! My laughter had a slightly hysterical quality to it as we weaved through the skies, twisting and turning with ever increasing speed. Just as suddenly we straightened up and the landing place raced to meet us. "Prepare your legs Paul, when I say stand - stand." I nodded. Our landing was inch perfect. It was like stepping off the bottom step of flight of stairs and there I was - simply standing. "That was a 10 Paul," said Omar. "Perfect."

       

I laughed, shook Omar's hand and knew I was addicted. Paragliding is fabulous. If ever you get the chance to do it somewhere scenically stunning - do so. The initial fear of running down a hill towards a drop is fleeting and it is then replaced by euphoria and spectacle.

Thank you Tandem Paragliders - Queenstown. Thank you Omar - you were an excellent pilot. And thank you Linda and Neassa, the two lovely ladies I shared the experience with. We had all thoroughly enjoyed our flights and after a tea back in town, they invited me to join them on a road trip to Glenorchy, and we spent the next few hours chatting and site-seeing south of Queenstown. 

What a day!

Paul

       Omar - my pilot

                                   Linda and Neassa  

                               

                               

                                          So high - just distant spots up in the clouds!