The origins of this sport date back just four decades to 1965, year in which the first square paragliders appeared, replacing the difficult to direct round one. The birth of paragliding came about when intrepid parachutists, not content with jumping out of a plane and looking for new sensations, decided to embark on a new adventure, which consisted in jumping from a height of 1,000 metres, specifically from El Capit�n, in the U.S. Yosemite National Park.

Even though it began in the sixties, the sport did not become generalised until the 1970s, when the parachutists Jean Claude Betemps and Gerard Bosson took up paragliding in the Alpine resort of Mieussy and set up a school in 1985. In this same year, the first paraglider, created by the Swiss Laurent de Kalbermaten was created. A more rigid textile was used to ensure the parachute was resistant to the air and an exclusive design invented to enable take off from land, without the need for an aeroplane.
 
What does it consist of?
Paragliding, also known as an ultra-light flexible gliding, has become a popular, albeit risky, sport. The glider is propelled by the aerodynamic forces generated by its movement through the air. Weighing just seven or eight kilos, the glider can be folded away into a rucksack and can be piloted by anyone daring enough, and in normal physical shape, who is prepared to take a training course to learn the basic skills of this type of flying.

At first, the flights should be made in calm weather conditions and at low heights until take off and landing are in control. The flight hours and experience will come with time and you will eventually develop your own personal style.

Equipment and safety measures
The essential material needed before setting off on dynamic short flights is: the paraglider, the harness with back support, the helmet and radio with local frequency. However, if you want to set off on long-distance, thermal flights, you will also require emergency parachutes, adequate footwear and a flying licence, depending on whether the country in which you intend to fly has a law regulating this sport or not.

In Spain, paragliding is subject to the laws of the Direcci�n General de Aviaci�n Civil (civil aviation authority), which prevents paragliding in controlled or prohibited flying areas, over dangerous areas, urban zones and agglomerations. Also required is a permit from the owner of the land on which you intend to take off and land. It is recommended that you paraglide in calm weather conditions and during the day.