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| Tuesday, November 30, 2004 |
| Paragliding: Ground handling: The ground is handling me |
The last three days were tough.
We had 2 days with zero wind from any direction, and one day when there was good wind, and I had zero energy.
At the end of it all, I am still on the ground.
Before you read any further, here's my disclaimer: I know nothing about paragliding, or the training, or anything about the sport. What you read here are the first impressions of a new student, and even the simplest thing I put down here could be flat wrong. If you want authentic stuff, you are reading the wrong paragliding blog.
Observations after 3 days:
1. When there is wind, I can get the canopy inflated and get it in the air above me.
2. Somehow, Sydney D'Souza (my instructor) always manages to shriek 'let of the risers' in the split second before I let go of them. Brilliant timing. In three days, I haven't managed to let go of them before he shouts. He has super reflexes.
3. I think I let go of the brakes immediately after I let go of the risers. Heck no. There is always a little bit more to let go. Maybe I need longer hands so they can go up even higher. There is unanimity among the observers that I do not let go. So many people can't be wrong. Question is: If I know that I should not pull them, everyone shouts at me no to, and I am still puling them a little, just what the hell is going on?
4. If someone tells you a kid can learn paragliding, don't believe them. Unless it's a kid that's built like a bull.
5. Coming to bulls, dragging the inflated canopy and running is like dragging a flying bull behind you. A flying bull thats flying backwards.
What gave me the most sadistic pleasure were the falls. See, Sydney tells you "eyes on the horizon! Towards that pole! RUN!!!" You do so. The canopy pulls you to a side. You resist. the canopy wins. You make a few graceless movements resisting the pull. And then you fall, usually gracefully. Watching someone else fall - especially if that someone else is better built and in better shape than you - is what gives you maximum satisfaction. Just the thought that you can watch bigger, stronger people fall in a heap is worth all of the money I paid for this. Hehehe...
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| posted by a correspondent @ 12:29 AM |
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| 2 Comments: |
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Hilarious :-) Can't wait to read about tree-top landings! But seriously, keep at it, there're tremendous rewards down the hill (or should I say up?). Been flying for two years and love it to death. I'll keep checking in for updates :-)
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Don't resist when it pulls you sideways, it'll always win... ;-)
Run with it, but steer in the way you want to go.
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Hilarious :-) Can't wait to read about tree-top landings! But seriously, keep at it, there're tremendous rewards down the hill (or should I say up?). Been flying for two years and love it to death. I'll keep checking in for updates :-)