Paragliding

This sport evolved from parachuting (of which it is really a branch) with the difference of gliding through the air horizontally rather than drop down vertically, aided by updrafts and currents, and utilization of these to afford directed flights over long distances.

The sport picked up speed (so to speak) during the 1970s, with its most important pioneers from France. By the late 1980s world competitions were held and within the following decade it caught fire globally as a sport.

Though similar to hang gliding, the paraglider is less costly, easier to master, and is lighter and easier to transport.

Modern paragliders have elliptical wings, and are in general much improved in materials and design compared to earlier models, and have been recorded as travelling up to 400 km (250 miles) in ground distance.

People of either gender can practice paragliding, and physical strength is less important than skill and clear-headedness. Weather, of course, plays a huge role in how successful and enjoyable a particular 'flight' will be. Introduced into Greece in the 1990s by hang-gliding enthusiasts, paragliding now has many competitions and a national team.

The dry climate of Greece is ideal for this sport, with April through October the best months, and there are many stunning paragliding ranges all over the country. Training takes about four or five weekends, followed by a practice period of 'flying' alongside an instructor. 1500 meters (4920 feet) is the usual altitude, surpassed if weather conditions are right and depending also on the skill of the flyer. At high altitudes, paragliding offers the experience of seeing panoramic landscapes spread out below one in the way that only large raptors previously got to enjoy, a truly awesome experience.

Crete, Greece's largest island offers marvelous paragliding terrain, what with its high mountain ranges, beautiful plains and sea coasts both on the Aegean in the north and the Libyan Sea on the south.