paraglide
Glide with parachute
To paraglide is to fly using a lightweight, free-flying glider—a fabric wing attached to a harness, launched by running off a slope or cliff.
The sport emerged in the 1980s from parachute technology.
Unlike hang gliders with rigid frames, paragliders pack into a backpack: We paraglided over the Swiss Alps.
Skilled pilots ride thermal currents for hours.
Ascend to heights
- driftGradual movement, no direction
- floatBuoyant object or vehicle
- hoverRemain suspended midair
- coastLand beside the ocean
sail · descend · ascend · fly · lift · airborne · swoop · cruise
Measured height above reference
- elevationHeight above reference point
- cliffVertical rock wall
- mountainTall natural landmass
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
summit · peak · precipice · overlook · panorama · vertigo · acrophobia · vista
Unpowered flight via portable wing
- skydivingRecreational freefall from aircraft
- wingsuitWearable gliding apparatus
- kitesurfingBoard sport using power kite
- paramotoringEngine-assisted canopy flight
tandem · competition · cross-country · aerobatics · air sports · reserve chute
Upward air movement
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
- air columnVertical atmospheric mass
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
cumulus · currents · altimeter · sink · ridge lift · convergence · instability · sailplane
Emergency response hormone
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- rushQuick sudden movement
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
euphoria · daredevil · courage · intense · fear · nervousness · buzz · adventure
Release from constraint
- escapeFlight from captivity
- unboundNot tied down
- opennessQuality of being accessible
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
expansiveness · release · unrestricted · free-spirited · unfettered · limitless · weightlessness · expanse
soar
Ascend to heights
coast · sail · descend · ascend · fly · lift · airborne · swoop · cruise · skim
altitude
Measured height above reference
ridge · summit · peak · precipice · overlook · panorama · vertigo · acrophobia · vista · escarpment
hang gliding
Unpowered flight via portable wing
- skydivingRecreational freefall from aircraft
- wingsuitWearable gliding apparatus
- kitesurfingBoard sport using power kite
paramotoring · tandem · competition · cross-country · aerobatics · air sports · reserve chute
updraft
Upward air movement
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- buoyancyFluid's upward resistance
- air columnVertical atmospheric mass
lift · cumulus · currents · altimeter · sink · ridge lift · convergence · instability · sailplane
adrenaline
Emergency response hormone
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- rushQuick sudden movement
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
heart-pounding · euphoria · daredevil · courage · intense · fear · nervousness · buzz · adventure · extreme
liberation
Release from constraint
serenity · expansiveness · release · unrestricted · free-spirited · unfettered · limitless · weightlessness · expanse · peacefulness
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