Learn to Paraglide
Mount Paragliding, run by Darrell Packe, is a paragliding and paramotoring school based in the North Island of New Zealand.
We teach paragliding and paramotoring all year round to people of all ages and abilities. This sport will grab you - it can help you relax or get your adrenalin pumping.
The sites we use are matched to the skill level of the student, with those new to paragliding spending time at Ruapuke (near Raglan) or Papamoa in Tauranga. The Ruapuke sites are on private farmland, and provide safe ground handling and launching options in the prevailing westerly winds. As a result, Ruapuke is our preferred location and we have accommodation options within a 10-15 minute drive of the flying sites. When Ruapuke is not flyable, Papamoa on the east coast provides a great alternative.
As a student's skills progress we fly other coastal sites, as well as the Kaimai and Paeroa Ranges - arguably the best inland flying sites in the North Island. When a student gains their solo pilot's licence (or PG2) we will introduce them to more advanced locations like the iconic Mauao (Mount Maunganui).
Our sport is weather dependent and living on an island means making the most of the flying opportunities when conditions are good. There is always lots of learning to be done - whether that is during the week or on weekends. More daylight hours during daylight savings means more potential flying hours, but the flying doesn't stop when daylight savings ends. We adjust and carry on!
In a nutshell, the process of learning to paraglide starts with your feet staying firmly on the ground as you learn to control the wing overhead. Once you are able to do that you will take your first short flights and, after completing the online PG1 exam, that is your level one done. If you enjoyed that introduction to flying and would like to learn the skills to fly solo, the next step is the level two (PG2) course. Find out more about the level one and two courses below.
If you've ever thought about giving this a go, don't put it off any longer. It'd be great to hear from you!
Ground handling - building skills on the ground
Ground handling is a fundamental skill to keep you safe and ensure stress-free launches.
You will be shown how to control the glider at all times, and in a variety of situations and conditions so you feel confident at any launch site.
Practicing this skill is vital to your safety by learning how your glider responds in various situations before you leave the ground.
A superb ground handling pilot is a superb, safe pilot in the air.
PG1 Course - an introduction to paragliding
The fun begins here!
This is where you start the beautiful journey of discovery. Meet the friendly crew and begin to absorb all the skills required for safely progressing in this sport.
This course is a true introduction to the sport of Paragliding. You get to fly solo and all equipment is provided.
PG2 Course - becoming a licenced solo paragliding pilot
Paragliding is free flying like nothing else. This is the closest you'll get to feeling like a bird playing in the sky.
As you leave the ground you are gently lifted into the air and you are now flying solo. The instructors calming voice is on radio but you are the one flying, your heart is racing and you're LOVING it. You feel safe, you feel ALIVE! That feeling is one you'll never forget.
Come join us for a truely life changing course where you learn all the skills required to master this sport.
