The Sport Paragliding is the purest and most accessible form of human flight, using a lightweight, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid structure. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing, utilizing thermals and wind currents to stay aloft for hours. In 2026, the sport is defined by the growth of Hike-and-Fly (combining mountain trail running with flight) and Acro Paragliding. It is a cornerstone of the global adventure tourism market and is governed internationally by the FAI Civil Flight Commission (CIVL) (https://www.fai.org/commission/civl).
How We Can Help TheGlobalSportsMarket.com simplifies the complex world of airmanship for the recreational and competitive pilot. We provide “First-Flight” checklists that prioritize EN-certified (European Norm) safety gear and help users distinguish between “School wings” and high-performance “Competition wings.” Our platform assists in finding USHPA-certified instructors (https://www.ushpa.org) and provides technical data on reserve parachute systems, ensuring that every pilot enters the sky with a redundant safety net.
Governing Organizations
- FAI Civil Flight Commission (CIVL): https://www.fai.org/commission/civl
- USHPA (United States Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association): https://www.ushpa.org
- British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA): https://www.bhpa.co.uk
Equipment Needed Paragliding equipment focuses on the balance between flight performance and passive safety.
- The Wing: For 2026 beginners, we recommend EN-A or EN-B certified wings like the Ozone Mojo 6 (https://www.flyozone.com) or Gin Bolero 7 (https://www.gingliders.com).
- Harness: Must feature built-in back protection and a dedicated reserve container, such as the Advance Progress 3 (https://www.advance.swiss).
- Safety: A steerable reserve parachute (e.g., Beamer 3 https://www.highadventure.ch) is highly recommended for 2026.
- Tech: Pilots use Varios (variometers) to track lift, such as the Flymaster Vario LS (https://www.flymaster.net).
Major Global Events
- Professional: FAI World Paragliding Championships, Red Bull X-Alps (https://www.redbullxalps.com)—the ultimate hike-and-fly challenge—and the Paragliding World Cup (PWC) (https://pwca.org).
- Amateur: USHPA National Championships and regional Fly-Ins.
Local Amateur Clubs Flight training must occur at a sanctioned school. Parents and new pilots should use the USHPA “Find a School/Instructor” tool (https://www.ushpa.org/page/find-a-school-or-instructor) to find a facility that offers the P2 (Novice) Certification program. Local clubs, such as the San Diego Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association (SDHGPA) (https://www.sdhgpa.com), provide essential site briefings and community mentorship for new pilots joining the local flight park.
