Paragliding season launched in Cavite

MANILA, Philippines - The provincial government of Cavite and the Philippine Paragliding and Hang Gliding Association (PPHGA), in cooperation with the Municipality of Carmona, recently launched another season of paragliding which  runs until April 2013.

The prevalence of the northeast winds favors Carmona’s location since the heat coming from Laguna de Bay allows paragliding pilots to navigate along the ridges of Barangay Lantic in Carmona, Cavite.

Organizers have lined up a number of paragliding activities and events, including the prelude event to Hot Air Balloon Festival in February 2013 – the Fly Cosplay and Accuracy Landing Competition, which will held in the country for the first time.

“We want people to realize that paragliding is fun and that everyone can try it,” said PPHGA president Buko Raymundo. He added that paragliding is a new air sport and that the equipment have been manufactured for safety through the years.

During the launch, a 70-year old Indian woman flew and stayed up for more than 15 minutes during her first tandem flight. To date, the market for paragliding in the country is mostly Europeans, Americans and Australians. 

The discovery of the site in Carmona in 2009 has made paragliding more convenient to enthusiasts since they would not have to travel far for the hobby.