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5 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A PARAGLIDING HELMET

Paragliding is a relatively niche sport, but there are a surprising number of choices out there when it comes to paragliding helmets. They range from helmets that wouldn’t look out of place on a motorcycle ride to helmets you might see at a Daft Punk concert. So what should you buy? To help you choose the right paragliding helmet, we broke them down into a few crucial factors.

1. Open Face, Full Face, Or Visor?

There are two basic shapes to helmets: open face and full face. Open-face helmets are shaped like traditional bike or motorcycle helmets. Full face helmets have an extra bar across the chin.

There are pros and cons to each shape. People who prefer open-face helmets say that they give a wider range of vision and create less neck fatigue, thanks to their light weight.

Full-face helmets, on the other hand, offer more direct protection to the face in case of collision, but are heavier. Full-face helmets also tend to reduce wind noise more. Reduced noise can help if communicating with a radio during flights.

Many helmets come with a visor, which is often detachable. These can help reduce wind and sun, just like ski goggles. But many pilots who judge their speed by the sound and feel of the wind on their faces and in their ears actually find the added wind protection of full-face helmets and visors to be a negative.

In the end, shape is a matter of preference. But no matter which shape you pick, make sure the opening is shaped so that it doesn’t reduce your peripheral vision too much. Being able to see and avoid fellow paraglider pilots, hang gliders, or other aircraft – not to mention mountains and cliffs – is of course extremely important.

2. Size?

This is probably the most important factor in choosing a helmet. If it’s too small, it will be uncomfortable. If it’s too big, it may obstruct your vision. Having the wrong size helmet, big or small also means you will not be as safe as you should be. Here’s how to make sure the helmet is the right size: put it on and fasten the chinstrap. If you feel continuous pressure somewhere on your head, the helmet is probably too small. Move your head around in all directions. If the helmet falls over your eyes, if you can feel it sliding, or if it begins to slip off when you look down, then it’s too big.

Some helmets have removable padding, which can help you adjust and customize the size to your head.

3. Certification

Any helmet you buy should conform to EN 966 standards. EN 966 are the European standards that specify how flight helmets should stand up to impacts and how to test for that (basically, they drop big anvils on the helmets). EN 966 applies specifically to flight helmets – there are other standards for different sports. Remember: if you’re going to be paragliding, buy a paragliding helmet. It may seem tempting to buy a motorcycle or ski helmet because these are easier to find. But that can be dangerous. A motorcycle helmet is designed specifically for motorcycle impacts – it won’t protect you as well in a paragliding accident. A helmet is there to protect you, after all, so make sure to get one that will really do the job.

4. Material

The helmet should have two hard layers: an outer shell and an inner shell. The outer shell is usually made of thermoplastic, composite fiber, or kevlar, combined with carbon fiber. The inner shell is designed for absorbing most of the shock in the event of a collision. It’s also more fragile so check this part carefully for dents or bends. The inner shell is usually made of expanded polystyrene.

5. Colour

You have to have some fun, after all! Just remember that while black always looks cool, it might not feel so cool when you spend a few hours trapped inside it under the blazing sun.

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5 Ways To Overcome Fear

Fear is a powerful force that can stop us from pursuing some of our dreams and goals. The English dictionary defines fear as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous.” This tells us that what we fear may not always be real, but it is just a belief in our minds triggered by a certain emotion. When challenged by any form of fear we only have one of two decisions to make, and that is, we either get the courage to face that fear and overcome it; or we can give in to it and allow that fear to defeat us.

Most people never find the courage to face their fears, and the problem is that if you don’t overcome those fears, you will probably never rise above them. Overcoming fear is a skill that anyone can tap into. Here are some ways in which to deal with fear, including your fear of paragliding.

1) Have positive thoughts

Every battle takes place and is won in the mind. It’s important to think about a positive outcome to your fear. If you’re thinking about your first paragliding flight for instance, imagine yourself being very successful instead of failing on your flight. Whenever fear strikes, flush it out of your mind with positive thoughts about the outcome.

2) Just do it

Someone who is brave enough to take on something bigger than them does not mean that at that moment no fear grips their heart; it just means they have made a decision to tackle that fear. Once you have pictured yourself paragliding successfully, the next step is to just do it! Instead of thinking several times about the matter – just do it, take that flight. Now may be the right time to take that paragliding flight you’ve been putting off.

3) Find inspiration

Finding someone who struggled with the fear you have, but managed to rise above it can motivate you tremendously. Get in touch with the person who inspires you if you can, and find out how they overcame that fear. You can also read books on the subject, and see what wonders it will do for you.

4) Learn to control your breathing

Not only is this one of the easiest mechanics, but it is also one of the simplest and most powerful ways to overcome fear. Through breathing, you are able to calm the panic that rises inside of you when fear kicks in, and in doing so, it can set you free from the grip of fear. Learn to take control of your breathing.

5) See yourself victorious

This one might be similar to the first point, but that’s because they work together. And we saved it for last because it’s also one of the most powerful mind exercises. The thoughts you allow to fill your heart and mind are what you become. It’s important to see yourself overcoming your fear; if you don’t see the victory in your mind first, you may never see it in reality.

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Paragliding Safety Tips

The sport of paragliding is an exciting and relaxing activity that everyone can enjoy. Of course, due to the fact that it involves flying through the air hundreds or thousands of meters above the ground it means you must take steps to ensure your safety.

The following are some paragliding safety tips for everyone from beginners to experienced paragliding pilots.

Paragliding in Cape Town is actually an activity that is really easy to learn. However, one of the most dangerous aspects to it is the period just after someone starts to feel comfortable in the air.

When you are brand new to flying, chances are you will be extremely careful and even have a feeling of vulnerability. On the other hand, if you have gone through paragliding training to become a pilot, and have gone out to fly by yourself, it can be pretty easy to develop a false sense of security.

Just when you really begin to feel at ease, it is very easy to take safety less seriously and make mistakes.

Paragliding Preparation

Preparation is key. Mistakes happen, even to experienced pilots. However, maintaining a respect for flying coupled with a constant feeling of susceptibility and preparing yourself properly physically and mentally before paragliding is very important.

This includes compiling an accurate weather forecast ahead of your flight and knowing the area well.

All paragliding equipment should be inspected regularly and before each flight to ensure it is up to proper working standards. If you have any question about the integrity of any of your equipment, or the conditions in which you will be paragliding, do not take off.

Also, practice your techniques for both launching and landing. When landing, you should do so into the wind. It is important to practice your landing and concentrate your efforts on hitting the target, or as close as possible.

After all, practice makes perfect and you will be happy you have gone through all the details ahead of time once you reach the ground safely.

You should also have a plan for the end of your flight before you even begin. Properly planning a safe approach to the landing zone should be a priority at every step of your flight, and you should avoid landing out of the zone, which increases the likelihood of an accident.

Avoid Complacency When Paragliding

One of the biggest mistakes people make after they begin paragliding regularly is to fall into a pattern of complacency. The sport is both thrilling and relaxing, which is a unique combination responsible for many people enjoying it so much.

It is also pretty easy to reach a level of competency, which can lead to over confidence. In the anticipation of flying however, some people forget that they will be flying high through the air, which is by its very definition death defying.

There are certainly risks that must be planned for and respected at every level of the flying experience. By making the proper preparations and making use of our paragliding safety tips, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable flight.

Paragliding-Helmet

5 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A PARAGLIDING HELMET

Paragliding is a relatively niche sport, but there are a surprising number of choices out there when it comes to paragliding helmets. They range from helmets that wouldn’t look out of place on a motorcycle ride to helmets you might see at a Daft Punk concert. So what should you buy? To help you choose the right paragliding helmet, we broke them down into a few crucial factors.

1. Open Face, Full Face, Or Visor?

There are two basic shapes to helmets: open face and full face. Open-face helmets are shaped like traditional bike or motorcycle helmets. Full face helmets have an extra bar across the chin.

There are pros and cons to each shape. People who prefer open-face helmets say that they give a wider range of vision and create less neck fatigue, thanks to their light weight.

Full-face helmets, on the other hand, offer more direct protection to the face in case of collision, but are heavier. Full-face helmets also tend to reduce wind noise more. Reduced noise can help if communicating with a radio during flights.

Many helmets come with a visor, which is often detachable. These can help reduce wind and sun, just like ski goggles. But many pilots who judge their speed by the sound and feel of the wind on their faces and in their ears actually find the added wind protection of full-face helmets and visors to be a negative.

In the end, shape is a matter of preference. But no matter which shape you pick, make sure the opening is shaped so that it doesn’t reduce your peripheral vision too much. Being able to see and avoid fellow paraglider pilots, hang gliders, or other aircraft – not to mention mountains and cliffs – is of course extremely important.

2. Size?

This is probably the most important factor in choosing a helmet. If it’s too small, it will be uncomfortable. If it’s too big, it may obstruct your vision. Having the wrong size helmet, big or small also means you will not be as safe as you should be. Here’s how to make sure the helmet is the right size: put it on and fasten the chinstrap. If you feel continuous pressure somewhere on your head, the helmet is probably too small. Move your head around in all directions. If the helmet falls over your eyes, if you can feel it sliding, or if it begins to slip off when you look down, then it’s too big.

Some helmets have removable padding, which can help you adjust and customize the size to your head.

3. Certification

Any helmet you buy should conform to EN 966 standards. EN 966 are the European standards that specify how flight helmets should stand up to impacts and how to test for that (basically, they drop big anvils on the helmets). EN 966 applies specifically to flight helmets – there are other standards for different sports. Remember: if you’re going to be paragliding, buy a paragliding helmet. It may seem tempting to buy a motorcycle or ski helmet because these are easier to find. But that can be dangerous. A motorcycle helmet is designed specifically for motorcycle impacts – it won’t protect you as well in a paragliding accident. A helmet is there to protect you, after all, so make sure to get one that will really do the job.

4. Material

The helmet should have two hard layers: an outer shell and an inner shell. The outer shell is usually made of thermoplastic, composite fiber, or kevlar, combined with carbon fiber. The inner shell is designed for absorbing most of the shock in the event of a collision. It’s also more fragile so check this part carefully for dents or bends. The inner shell is usually made of expanded polystyrene.

5. Colour

You have to have some fun, after all! Just remember that while black always looks cool, it might not feel so cool when you spend a few hours trapped inside it under the blazing sun.

[moonlightwalks-blog]

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Fly Cape Town Paragliding Offers Expert Guided Paragliding Tour Packages.

Our expert Guided Paragliding Tours vary from single day trips to one, two or three week tours.

Normally the best conditions for paragliding tours are from October to April. Our paragliding tours packages includes airport transfers, bed and breakfast accommodation, transport to and from take-off sites, weather forecast and expert site briefings. We do also offer SIV training and ground handling clinics as optional extras.

Guided Paragliding Tours packages are tailored to the specific needs and experience levels of all pilots or groups. Radio instruction (if required) is available from our expert Guides / Instructors. We plan the tour around the local weather patterns. Cape Town offers a mixture of coastal soaring to thermic cross country conditions. Cape Town is surrounded by the beautiful Winelands of Constantia and landmarks like Table Mountain and Cape Point. On non-flyable days we have the option to go wine tasting in the wine regions of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch or go for a scenic site seeing drive along the magnificent coastline to Cape Point and Hout Bay.

Our very reliable XC site is Porterville where we have hosted a Paragliding World Cup in February 2013. The site record is 170km and this is the Mecca of Cross Country paragliding in South Africa. Here the XC hungry pilots can clock up the kilometers or the lower experience level pilots can work on perfecting their thermalling skills and technique.

The Garden Route offers easy relaxed coastal soaring with some spectacular views of white sandy beaches and the warm Indian ocean. Come brush up your ground handling skills with our optional Expert Ground handling clinics or enjoy soaring the beautiful 12km stretch of beach at Paradise ridge. Sedgefield offers a combination of thermic soaring and short XC flights are possible as well as connecting them to coastal soaring sites like Gericke’s Point and the Beach Hotel.

On non-flyable days we have the option to visit Cape Addo Elephant park where you can witness the Big 5 in its splendor or visit the beautiful town Knysna.

Come and experience true South African hospitality coupled with the paragliding experience of your life!

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