I've been interested in flying since being a child. I wanted to become a pilot when I was younger. I played a lot of simulation games and I enjoyed the flight sims, but my life went into another direction, and I became a software developer...
Many years ago, around 2007, we happened to pass by someone who took off with a paraglider from a small hill. My father was driving the car and asked us whether we would do that as well or not. I believe this question had an impact on me because I got interested in this form of flying.
In 2008 I watched a video called 'Paragliding - learn to fly' which explained many things and concepts about paragliding. I was still a student at this point so my income was basically none, I could not engage in this sport.
I got employed in 2011, managed to save some money, and started searching for a paragliding school around this time. Found one close to the city I live in, which was great so I contacted them.
The course started in March 2013. We took theoretical lessons at first, making exercises on the ground - like lifting the wing, learning the correct ways of handling the paraglider. The flight instructor is a good guy, works with every student individually. He tries understanding everyone's flaw and help them improve.
After 3 weekends of training we arrived to the point of the first flights. Went up a small hill with the flight gear, and prepared for the first flight. The instructor was monitoring us from the base of the hill, someone else - who had training and flight knowledge - was assisting us on the hill with the preparations, watching the steps we were making. Our group was small, having about a dozen participants. Each of us took off one after the another, when the wind's speed and direction was right. Some of us were a bit hesitant but that was okay.
Upon my first takeoff I was not afraid or scared but excited. The instructor was giving us commands through a walkie-talkie about the action we have to take in the air, in what direction to turn, etc. The flight did not happen at a large height, maybe there were 80 meters to the ground, and the flight time was no more than 90 seconds. Each of us have landed safely, into the wind, as we've been guided by the instructor.
I enjoyed the flight a lot, even if it was short. I ended up having 5 flights on that day.
I got my paragliding license in August after finishing the course, have my own gear, and have flown many times since then.
The moral of this story is get involved into the things you are interested in, don't be afraid of doing them. Participate in trainings, get educated, and everything will turn out right.
