Flying is one of the most fascinating experiences for any human being. Fears aside, most people enjoy looking out of the airplane window and contemplating how cities and their nearby areas get smaller and smaller as the aircraft gains height.

In addition, if we feel the wind blowing in our face—as if we were a bird—and see the beautiful volcanic landscape of Lanzarote while we are flying, it becomes a real luxury. The island has to offer beautiful places that can leave you hypnotized, such as the vine plantations of La Geria, the Famara cliffs and its impressive craters, among which Caldera Blanca stands out with its crater of 1,200 metres in diameter.

If we add to this considerably good weather conditions, such as scarce rains and mild temperatures, we will arrive to the conclusion that hang gliding or paragliding in Lanzarote is a perfect plan. The island also has ideal winds for flying during the whole year, although the experts consider that the best time of year for both of these sports is from October to March, as opposed to the summer season, as the trade winds can complicate the flight.

What do I need to know to know about paragliding?

The success of paragliding lies in the fact that it is a simple and affordable way to experience the sensation of flying and the feelings that comes with it: adrenaline, euphoria, freedom… In fact, despite how bulky it may look, we can actually fly with equipment that weighs around 20 kilos and consists in:

  • A paraglider. Or what is the same, a wing—light and easy to handle—made with two large pieces of fabric. The air enters the paraglider from the front, inflating it and making the fabric act as the wings of an airplane. This way, the air lifts the paraglider enabling a prolonged flight to take place.
  • A harness. This is connected to the paraglider by some very thin and resistant ropes. It also has two controls—connected to the rear section of the wing—with which the pilot manoeuvres the paraglider.

Furthermore, landing and take-off are not complex techniques. Nowadays it is not necessary to be on a steep hill to take-off. It can be done from a location that faces the wind; although it must have a minimum speed between 10 and 25 km/h and a maximum of 50 km/h. When it comes to landing you can choose between running a few metres or the easiest option: reduce your speed and end the flight sitting on the ground. In any case, the professional pilot who is in charge of the paraglider will be the one to decide which is the best option.

Frequently asked questions about paragliding

One of the most common questions amongst those who decide to try this sport is whether anyone can do it. Generally, it is a sport that anyone can do, as it does not require any specific training. However, the companies that offer this activity make it very clear that any circulatory problems, dizziness, vertigo or pregnancies should be reported beforehand.

Another important aspect is safety. In this sense, it is good to know that paragliding companies work with professional paragliders, who run a safety check of the equipment before each flight. It is compulsory to follow all of the instructions given by the pilot who will be accompanying us during the flight, as well as being patient when possible setbacks occur, such as delays or cancellations, as this kind of activity is always subject to weather conditions. Even though a change of time of our flight can be inconvenient, safety should always be the main priority—the pilot’s and ours—, therefore we should be understanding with the decisions made.

If you decide to go paragliding in Lanzarote we recommend that you wear closed footwear and that protects the ankle, if possible. We also recommend that you put some sun cream in your backpack and wear warm clothes, as the chill temperature will be lower up there. Additional accessories, such as the helmet and the harness are usually provided by the company.

3 reasons for paragliding over Famara

  • The wind. The town of Caleta de Famara, famous for its beach and its emblematic cliff, is one of the most common places amongst paragliding enthusiasts in Lanzarote, due to the quality of its winds. These same winds are the ones that bring together many surfers and kiteboarders every day on the beach of Famara.
  • The views. If your take-off point is Chimida and travel north, you will enjoy beautiful views of the cliffs where the Mirador del Río is located.
  • Landing. The last but not least, reason for paragliding in Famara is that its beach offers a large surface for ending you flight with a comfortable landing.

If you love adventure sports and what to experience unique landscapes from the air, you must not miss out on the opportunity of paragliding Lanzarote!