Thursday 13th December 2001

Tomorrow’s sport!

“With wind and sun as only energy, adventure is for you...”, “A fantastic sport for each of you !!!” say the advertisements. Even if para-gliding (also called "hand-gliding") isn’t already well-known in our country, it’s becoming more and more popular, as it procures to the glider lots of sensations.

To begin with, it directly comes from a specific kind of parachuting ; and time after time, it succeeded in having its own performances and equipment. First of all, the idea to leave ground by foot with a wing was given by a French man : Pierre Lemoine in the fifties. But people think that the first man who jumped like that was David Barish, in 1963. Then, para-gliding history reminds some important events, like 1974 : the creation of the FFVL, which is the French federation of para-gliding. Para-gliding in France have known a quite important development for the 5 last years.

It can be practised in all kind of reliefs : flat like plains, with mountains, near the sea. The only important thing is to be careful, as you never controls the wind!!!! But it’s easy to learn, in one of the many clubs, and with good equipment ; and since you control, it is really pleasant. In France, you can begin from the age of 12 years old. As a matter of fact, everybody can really practice it. Moreover, three kinds of flight are now possible : entertainment, alone or with someone else ; long-way or “cross” ; and for the most determined and confirmed the competition.

The goal there, is to cover a precise distance with marks you must follow. To prove you have done the total and good journey, you must take a photo of each way mark in a particular angle. Which must be quite difficult!!!! Besides, para-gliding history must be told with the records men have set :

On the 23rd February 1989, Uli Wiesmeier established the first record by flying 49 km. On the 6th January 1993, Robbie Whittall made the altitude record, with 4530 m height. In 1994, Alex Louw travelled 283.9 km in the Chilli. In 1997, on the 25th April, the French team won the European distance, with 268 km during 8h30, it’s still the best time for a team. But the world record is today and still held by Godfrey Wenness, who crossed 335 km in 7h29, on the 16th November 1998.

Of course, nobody will fly like that on his or her first jump, but you can easily fly 36 km an hour, which is frightening for some of us, pleasant for others ; I would rather say exciting, and we give you the advice to go flying, have fun ....... and feel free!!!!!

Camille Thomas