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Paragliding Porterville - Safety

During peak summer months (December to February) mid-day paragliding Porterville conditions call for current, thermic-experienced pilots:

• Take off:
  • Small.  Precise skills are required.
  • Strong thermic and cross wind.
  • Launch timing in thermic cycles.
  • Falling over and/or being dragged can lead to severe injuries.
• Landing:
  • Thermic.  Active approach is required.
  • Strong winds later in the day.
• Flight
  • Strong, wind swept thermals.
  • When present, low, solid inversions can lead to prolonged periods of active flying.
  • Ridge flying is over/next to a very solid, sharp edged bolder strewn mountain.  Contact almost cetainly means injury.
  • NW sea breeze can be blue and very fast moving.
• Equipment
  • Fly at the top of your glider's weight range.
  • A reserve is a must.
  • Speedbar connected and be proficient in using it.
  • Carry water in case you have to walk out.
  • High factor sunscreen.  The sun is relentless.

Outside of the mid-day window these tips apply to a lesser degree.

If you are offered advice then determine if the person you are speaking to has actually ever flown.  Porterville paragliding is not PG bullsh*t or accident free.  Do not become the next statistic.

If you are inexperienced or unsure then join a fly-guided group or hire a guide.

Pampoenfontein take-off.

Porterville’s museum is named after Jan Danckaert who led the first exploratory expedition that travelled across the Olifants River Mountains in 1660.

Built in 1879 it was initially used as a courthouse and prison, only becoming a museum in 1979. The original prison cells are still visible.

The Slave Bell situated outside the museum was formerly used to mark the beginning and end of work periods and punctuate the day during the time when slavery was still practised in the Cape Colonies.

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