Paragliding

“While I don't have what I'd call an actual fear of heights, I definitely get that uncomfortable feeling at exposed high edges. The paragliding tandem flight I took gave me none of that at all and made getting into the sport a real goal for me. I think the biggest thing that helps is that you start on the ground instead of from a high edge. You get eased into the heights and altitude builds alongside your confidence.”

“I haven’t had a tandem flight, but remember my first tow (solo) to elevation in early classes. Not classic fear of heights (no edge) but i was fairly frightened that I’d mess up somehow or something would break and I’d plummet to certain death. Irrational yet implacable until a few more flights in which instructor told me to let go of the controls, close my eyes, and lean fully back into the harness with arms dangling.”

“There was a lump in my stomach as we were driven to the take off site atop a hill about 500 to 600 feet high. I was made to go before my daughter. Before going to the top of the hill, Avi sir had drilled into us that we should just listen to his instructions which would come over the two way radio. I took off without a hitch and was just concentrating on the radio, thereby ignoring the beauty of the surroundings.”