Offers of Paragliding Limavady

When people think of natural beauty in the British Isles, Northern Ireland is sometimes sadly overlooked. But for those who know it, or anyone who comes to visit, this part of the country has a unique charm which captures the imagination. From the myths and legends that surround the Giant’s Causeway, to the fantasy world of Narnia, created by Belfast-born CS Lewis, to the TV adaption of George RR Martin’s Game of Thrones, this is a place where stories come to life. In fact, many of the filming locations for Game of Thrones are located around Limavady, near the Atlantic Coast of the country. To find out why this landscape was chosen, there’s nothing better than taking a paragliding flight and getting a bird’s - or a dragon’s - eye view.

The dragons of Westeros use their powerful wings to soar through the skies, and paragliders also use a wing - but only one, and there’s no flapping involved. A paragliding wing is a bit like a lung. When you push the air out, it can occupy a very small space - like that of a backpack - but when it catches the air, pockets and cavities fill up and create a semi rigid structure. This structure has the perfect shape to provide lift, meaning that a paraglider can take you up into the skies on a fantasy journey. Around the Northern Irish town of Limavady, there are several places with the right kind of terrain and conditions to allow launching, making this a fantastic place to experience unpowered flight, or learn to be a pilot yourself.

Where are the best places to go paragliding in Limavady?

• Dungiven: If you want to get an idea of what a perfect paragliding launch site looks like, take a walk in the Sperrin Mountains above the village of Dungiven. This is one of the highest areas in Northern Ireland which boasts the second highest pub on the whole island at Glenshane Pass. Not far from here, the land falls away from a ridge to the coastal lowlands. Standing on the crest of the ridge and looking down, you can see a smooth, treeless slope, with nothing to stop the winds that come off the ocean from reaching your paragliding wing. You’ll probably feel a stiff breeze, and that’s also important for taking off and gaining altitude with a paraglider. Once in the air, you can fly over this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, enjoying views of the landscape which was carved out by glaciers during the last ice age, then fly back to the pub for some refreshments.

• Magilligan: This peninsula separates the Atlantic Ocean from Lough Foyle. It’s possible to catch the wind here and launch a paraglider into the air, where views beyond Lough Foyle to Londonderry and County Donegal open up in one direction, and the north coast stretches out in the other.

• Downhill Strand: Another coastal launch site is on the cliffs above Downhill Strand beach. Taking to the skies from a clifftop is one of the most exhilarating experiences that you can have in a paraglider. Strong winds come uninterrupted off the ocean, the sound of the water rises up from below, and beneath your feet you can see the dividing line between land and sea. Downhill Strand is a particularly good place for a flight of fantasy, because the dramatic line of cliffs, with Mussenden Temple standing on the edge, was chosen by the producers of HBO’s Game of Thrones series to represent the island of Dragonstone.

What are the options for organising a paragliding experience in Limavady?

- Paragliders are designed to use the forces of nature to fly and, though they’re the simplest of all man made flying machines, the wind and air currents should be treated with respect. This sport can be dangerous if done carelessly, but with an experienced pilot pulling the strings, the risk becomes very low. For that reason, the best way to experience it is as a passenger on a tandem flight. You’ll be strapped into the same craft as the pilot, and take in all the pleasures of paragliding without worrying about the technical aspects. You can expect an hour of airtime in a tandem experience, which will usually be split over two flights or more, depending on the conditions.

- If you want to enhance your tandem flight, you can arrange for the experience to be captured on camera. With the camera attached to the structure of the paraglider, your pilot will take responsibility for getting the best shots of you and the aerial views of the Limavady area, so you can just relax and enjoy the ride. Then you can enjoy it all over again at home by watching a movie where you’re the hero!

- The activity enthusiasts are passionate about their sport and are always keen to get more people involved, so if you’ve been on a tandem flight and can’t get the thought of flying out of your head, you can sign up for a course with them and learn to fly. A course will require flying sessions spread over about 10 days, by which time you’ll have the knowledge and ability to complete individual, unsupervised flights anywhere in the world.

Requirements to do this activity

The great thing about this sport is that it’s a way of flying with no legal restrictions on participation. People of all ages and abilities can take part in a tandem flight, and many of them are able to go on to learn how to fly themselves. Neither is it necessary to be in great physical shape. Having said that, despite the fact that you’ll be a passenger on a tandem flight, you will have to be active at launch and landing. To get the paragliding wing to catch the wing and lift you into the sky, you and the pilot have to take a few running steps down a slope, whether it’s hillside overlooking of the area or on the cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean. At the other end of the flight, you need to lift your feet and brace for impact. If you’re capable of doing both of these things, congratulations! You’re fit to fly.

This flight of fancy is ready and waiting for you - don’t miss out!