Baby boomers, have you ever wanted to fly through the sky like the birds? Alan Rider, who writes about all sorts of daring adventures at XTRORD.com, gives baby boomer travelers a first-hand view of paragliding in today’s guest post.
You’re standing atop a wind-swept plateau looking out at the peaceful blue Pacific on yet another gorgeous San Diego afternoon. Then you suddenly remember why you’re here—to run straight off the 300-foot cliff in front of you equipped with little more than an oversized kite and a nervous smile.
Fortunately the wave of panic that washes over you disappears almost as soon as your tandem paragliding instructor fills the colorful canopy above your head with the steady breeze. On his cue, the two of you take a few brisk steps and, to your great relief and utter amazement, you realize you’re flying.
While these tandem paragliding flights may seem like something only a daredevil 20-something could love, they’re actually an ideal baby boomer adventure. That’s because the effort-to-exhilaration ratio is squarely in your favor—if you can sign the lengthy liability waver and walk to your mailbox and back you can discover an experience that’s the closest you’ll ever come to flying like a bird.
While there’s no shortage of places to try what has to be the most low-tech form of flight ever invented, baby boomer travelers will have a hard time topping this city-owned facility known as Torrey Pines Gliderport. Located atop steep corrugated bluffs a half-hour north of downtown San Diego, the steady winds off the ocean hit the cliffs here and are forced up to create what’s known as “ridge lift,” an ideal soaring condition that makes this one of the world’s best places to experience the sport of paragliding.
Though there’s some undeniable risk, the experience actually isn’t half as intimidating as it might seem. In fact, once your feet leave the ground, it’s not uncommon to have those feelings of apprehension replaced by a sense of unbridled joy as you float above these rugged cliffs and deserted beaches. If you need additional reassurance, keep reminding yourself that being securely connected to what amounts to a modified parachute makes this one of the safest forms of recreational aviation around.
Before long, you’ll return to the Gliderport’s expansive lawn for a gentle stand-up landing. Though you’re bound to feel like this once-in-a-lifetime adventure is over much too soon, you can take comfort in knowing you’ve just had a truly extraordinary experience you’ll be telling stories about for years to come.
Alan Rider writes about all kinds of remarkable baby boomer-friendly adventures he calls “extraordinary experiences” on his blog at XTRORD.com. You can also keep up with his latest exploits by following him on Twitter.
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Flying thru the air like a bird – there's no better experience! I prefer free-falling…but paragliding seems much easier…no plane!
How much instruction is needed for a tandem flight?
Paragliding is definitely on my list of Things To Try. We sent the In-Laws (in their 70s) on a parasailing ride- essentially the same gear, but you are towed behind a boat, winched out to height and then wenched back in again. They LOVED it.
I was going to try this in Interlaken, Switzerland but my knee suddenly went out on me. Do you suppose it was psychosomatic? You are one brave soul!
I've never tried paragliding but I've been tempted. There is a place south of Sydney that has the right winds and cliffs to do it. A tandem parachute jump was nerve-racking but paragliding looks so peaceful with those who do it.
You are one brave woman Donna! I don't think I have the courage to do this!! (But I like reading about it!)
I better clear up a misunderstanding here. Today's post about paragliding is a guest post from Alan Rider. I'm not sure that I'm as brave as he is. I might have reached my limit with hot air ballooning.
Although, when my son toured Europe through his college (go, Clemson Tigers), he paraglided in Swtizerland. Of course he didn't tell me until he was safely back on the ground. He loved it. Since he inherited my “afraid of heights gene,” I was proud of him for taking a chance.
Sounds thrilling, exciting, fun and adventurous – as long as someone else is doing the flying and it's not me~!
Really enticing article and beautiful pictures. Thanks. Maybe I'll wait until I'm eighty like former Pres. George Bush with his parachute adventure.
That looks like a lot of fun, I thought there was a boat attached. Shows how much I know, anyway this looks better!
You're thinking of parasailing, which involves being towed behind a boat. And you're right — this is WAY cooler! You really must give it a try!
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