Paragliding with Cape Town Tandem Paragliding

Posted on by obligatorytraveler@gmail.com

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*I received a media discount for this experience. I promise all opinions are my own.

I wake up in the middle of the night to the wind gusting so hard , it sounds as if a freight train is driving through our Peninsula All-Suites Hotel room. My heart is sad. If the wind continues, there is no way we are going paragliding tomorrow.

In the morning, I fling back the curtains. The sun is shining. The weather appears calm. I am cautiously optimistic as I change into my paragliding attire. I check my phone. I have a text. Holding my breath, I press on the message.

It’s a go! We’re finally going paragliding!

Everything happens in a flash.

The Cape Town Tandem Paragliding van rolls to a stop in front of our hotel. We jump in in a manner that makes me feel like we are on our way to a heist.

Depending on the weather, paragliders launch from either Signal Hill or Lion’s Head. Signal Hill is the launching point for today.

After we watched the sunset on Table Mountain, our driver Patrick told us we had to watch the sunset from Signal Hill. As the van winds up the mountain, I can see why. The views are beautiful. Sadly watching a Signal Hill sunset didn’t fit into our schedule.

Out of the van, the first order of business is to sign our lives away. Once the paper work is completed, things move quickly.

I have to give the Cape Town Tandem Paragliding staff a lot of credit. I imagine that they have worked very hard to perfect the paragliding experience for guests.

The staff members gear me up.

Gearing up for paragliding

While all the gearing is going on, the guy I am tandemed to talks me through the launching process.

“Okay, we’re going to walk, walk, walk, and then we’re going to run, run, run.”

A few more clicks and tightening of straps, and in what only felt like a few seconds, I hear,

“Let’s walk!”

The launching process is completed with the utmost safety in mind, but the time between starting to gear up and walking, goes by in a blink. There is also a lot going on to distract. I guessed that Cape Town Tandem Paragliding has perfected this launch routine so that paragliding guests are so distracted, and there is such a short interval between signing papers and taking off, there is no time to think too much or chicken out.

When having the,

“You went paragliding are you crazy,” conversations, I think a misconception is that you are jumping off the edge of the mountain, but in actuality, with the walking, then running, you lift off before there is no longer ground underneath your feet.

Lifting Off

Once there is no longer ground immediately beneath me, the view opens up. It is spectacular.

Water, mountains, city, sky, there is so much to captivate.

It’s also silent, except for the sound of wind rippling through the parachute.

Not being the driver, it is one of the most relaxing, zen, experiences I have had. If we lived in an area with paragliding, I’d probably go every few months, just to clear my head.

After leisurely soaring over the city, I am asked if I want to try some turns as we float over the ocean.

Gliding with only vibrant, blue water underneath me, is an intoxicating sight. I am giddy with happiness.

All too soon, the landing instructions are conveyed. I’m told that once my feet hit the ground all I have to do is walk. As long as I keep walking, until I’m told to stop, we’ll have a great landing.

I am an ace instruction follower. Our landing is smooth and easy.

I did it! It was fantastic! I’m overjoyed.

After a congratulatory high five with my Cape Town Tandem Paragliding tandem guy, it’s back in the van, and back to our hotel.

In our hotel room, Shannon and I chatter excitedly about our experience. It was exciting, relaxing, breathtaking, we agree that we’ll continue to look for opportunities to go paragliding during our travels. We are grateful to Cape Town Tandem Paragliding for introducing us to an activity that was better than we imagined.

We loved our time with Cape Town Tandem Paragliding. You could tell that this isn’t just a job for them, they are passionate about paragliding. They work hard to ensure that every guest has a great time.They were also genuinely excited and enthusiastic about taking us on our first paragliding adventure. You can’t beat the jaw dropping scenery of Cape Town, South Africa.

Unless you have a paralyzing fear of heights, there is nothing scary about paragliding. It’s gentle gliding, that is a lot of fun.

If you have any suggestions of other cool places to go paragliding, let me know in the comments below.

Things to know for your Cape Town Tandem Paraglide

The landing spot for paragliders in Cape Town is in Sea Point
There is a spot in the paragliding equipment to store a small bag, so if want to bring a few things with you, like your phone, you can.
It’s windy up in the air, so if you are someone like me who is perpetually cold, wearing a wind breaker is a good idea.
Cape Town Tandem Paragliding offered a picture and video package. I chose to do the package (which is why all of the pictures are of me and not Shannon) and thought that it was well worth it, as I could just sit back and enjoy the experience, without having to worry about getting the perfect shot.

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Joe Miduski
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If I ever get to go to Cape Town this will be a priority thing to do. I’m wondering if there is an age or weight requirement to do this. The video package is also a must. I can’t imagine there is anyway you could improve on the quality of the experience from take off to landing. What does this fantastic experience cost, not that it would change my wanting to do it?
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
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  I don’t think there was an age requirement, maybe a weight, but I don’t remember. The Paragliding was about $100 per person.
Esther
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YES!! I have done the exact same thing and absolutely LOVED it. I am a wuss, so this is probably the bravest thing I have ever done, but hey: if you don’t do it in Cape Town, where will you. Right!!
#WeekendWanderlust
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
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  Exactly. Cape Town seems like a great place to paraglide for the first time. At least if you are nervous, you have all of the breathtaking scenery to distract you. Plus you get to fly over the water. I’ve heard Queenstown, New Zealand is another prime location, so we’ll look into that one when we get there someday.
Jill
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How fun! I’m hope that I’d be brave enough – but I did go ziplining so I think I could push past the fear. Looks like a great experience.
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
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  I would say that ziplining actually has more of a thrill than paragliding. Paragliding was very gentle and quiet, especially when you don’t have to do the driving. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the view.
Chuck
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That looks like so much fun. I want to do it, but my wife is convinced I will die. Enjoyed reading about it!
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
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  It was really fun. My view is if they lost a lot of people they wouldn’t be in business so it must be safe. I figured the same when we went ziplining. Of course there is always that one chance something will go wrong, but since your strapped to a professional, I figure they’re looking out for their own safety as much as yours.
Brianna
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Capetown looks like the PERFECT place to go paragliding! I really want to do a paragliding adventure, but I’m trying to save my first time for a perfect spot. Gotta check out flights to Capetown…
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
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  I definitely think Cape Town is the best place to try paragliding for the first time. I would say the only downside is that the weather is finicky so you could be there for a whole week and never get to go because of the wind. Cape Town Tandem Paragliding seemed really good though about squeezing everyone in during the good weather windows so everyone gets a chance to go. The scenery from above is unbelievable.
Lauren Ibbott
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I’ve never been paragliding before but it’s something I would like to try someday… These views are stunning!
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
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  It was on our someday list for years, but we knew if we were going to Cape Town, we had to finally give it a try. Now we really want to do it again.
Lisa Grabelle
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This is AWESOME – I have always wanted to do this!! The pictures really illustrate what it’s like. Thanks for sharing. I would love to go to Capetown one day.
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
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  Cape Town is such a beautiful city. I can’t even fathom living there and getting to see those mountain views everyday.
Lisa
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Oh the view!!! Paragliding must be so much fun – definitely on my list. Seems you found the perfect location too 😀 #WeekendWanderlust
Ruth | Tanama Tales
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I am pretty sure this is an awesome activity. I am a bit afraid of heights that I am pretty sure it feels right after you are done with the launching phase. How long are you in the air? #WeekendWanderlust
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
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  Time in the air depends on the weather but I’m guess on our day it was round 15-20 minutes.
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
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All I can say is that you are braver than I am. Much as I love Cape Town, I might give this activity the miss – lol!
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
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  Lol. There are things like big roller coasters that I give a hard pass, but this was something I felt brave enough to do.
Sharon
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What an adventure! The water is so clear. I’m glad the wind died down for you. Sometimes the weather appears fine but higher up it’s windy, so it would be a touch and go thing. This looks like an unforgettable day!
1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
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  It was so much fun. Still one of the best things we’ve done so far in our travels.
LaTessa
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This looks like so much fun. South Africa is on my travel list.