BIG SIZES
PARAGLIDINGS JUMPS IN THE VOSGES
The diversity of sporting activities offered in the different regions of France is also a way to discover them from a different perspective, particularly from the air and what
could be more appealing than discovering the Vosges an exceptional territory in the
paraglidings jumps site will give you the opportunity to admire its radiant landscapes
enhanced with thrills and adrenaline rushes as instructors and enthusiasts of this very active aerial sport have explained to me.
Paragliding, the quintessential aerial sport, is an activity derived from parachuting that involves launching oneself from a slope located on a mountain or hill using a specific wing to which gliders are attached with suspension lines that are
held by what is called the harness or the seat on which the pilot is installed during parapliding flight mainly and
supplemented by 2 controls for maneuvering in parallel with an acceleration device that he use on his feet or hands
and which also acts as an accelerator the whole system also includes an additional reserve parachute integrated either
into the harness or in the pocket Central. Initiated in the 1960s and 70s in the United States and Europe, paragliding
developed mainly from 1971 thanks to the American Steve Snyder who at that time marketed the first ram-air sail
under the name of Paraplane, in parallel with its operational use in the following years in France, notably in 1972 and then during the 70s during the French Parachuting Championships, but also by members of the Annemasse Paraclub
who in 1978 decided to use their parachutes to take off from a mountain supplemented in the spring of 1979 by the
creation of the first paragliding club in the world called "Les Choucas" which is still active today. "This sport requires
in its everyday practice very specific weather conditions which are necessarily favorable conditions during takeoffs
in order to be able to take off safely since the wing of a paraglider must reach a point during this speed operation of 25 km/h in the air while simultaneously positioning oneself in a suitable location facing the wind so that its speed adds to the pilot's running speed on the slope to perform the paraglider takeoff then to steer the sail in the air with horizontal movements and in-flight piloting enhanced by two aerodynamic phenomena which is lift and drag the former being the result of a pressure force acting upon on the paraglider wing perpendicular to the wind direction which also allows the pilot to change the direction of the paraglider according to the winds and for the second a force External force called drag which modulates the speed of the paraglider in flight allowing for the "Two key elements optimal and proper paragliding piloting including balance on the wing incorporating good lift and low drag in flight,"
Says Pierre JANTET, paragliding instructor and seasoned parachutist.
A Strong Dose of Adrenaline Rush
Once takeoff is complete and the climb to altitude begins comes the most thrilling moment incorporating a high dose
The adrenaline rush often sought by enthusiasts of this exciting sport is provided by the acceleration at takeoff the regulated speed of the paraglider and the corresponding sensations of the air. The practice of paragliding is suitable
for everyone provided they are in good physical condition. There are two options: 1/ Introductory training, which consists of a multi-day course at a paragliding school led by an experienced instructor who teaches piloting skills during a paragliding flight, followed by radio instruction during the flight; or 2/ A tandem paragliding flight, which is a
first flight done in tandem mode with an experienced professional pilot, allowing you to be guided to the delights of the
paragliding in optimal safety conditions, the two options often being staggered over flights whose durations vary from 10 to 30 minutes or even an hour for the most daring."Taking into account the diversity of places and the magnificent
natural spaces of the Vosges department, which also extends over a vast mountainous area on the border of the Grand
Est and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions, the views from the air in good weather, whether above the Grand Ballon or the Vosges ridges of the Hohneck, the Markstein or the Kastelberg, are breathtaking.
are radiant, also complemented by group formations with other paragliders flying in parallel above the mountains that offer sometimes strange
sensations and that give a dimension of total freedom having the possibility of moving in several options whether
alone in a duo tandem or in groups with the somewhat optical illusion of dominating the landscapes that unfold before you" Explains to me Corinne JANOSKI and Philippe LOISEAU members of a paragliding and hand gliding club and
experienced instructors. Contemplate the Vosges mountains by taking to the air is an original way to discover it and
admire the beauty and diversity of its landscapes such as the richness of its heritage and this type of activity carried out either individually or in tandem which continues to grow is also a great asset and a original way for discovering our radiant territories from a different angle.
Report by: Gabriel PAGE
Photos credit: Gabriel PAGE / Getty Images
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