The 2nd Edition of the 2019 Paragliding Festival dubbed ‘FunNFly paragliding’ comes off on the Odweanoma Mountain, Atibie, Kwahu from September 27-29, 2019. Professional tandem pilots have been selected to fly hundreds of participants during the period.
Ticket Price: 350.00GHS
Registration (Register below or click here)
Location of Take-Off Point
Location of Take-Off Point
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Getting to Kwahu
You may drive to Kwahu or take public transport via Nkawkaw. At Nkawkaw, you can board any of the numerous public transport vehicles climbing up the Kwahu mountain to Atibie. Better still, you can hire a taxi from Nkawkaw to the Odweanoma Mountain.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/mpqqQ9X1BZUbQmms5
How safe is paragliding?
All adventure sports carry risks. To operate safely in any aviation environment, one must strive at all times to minimise risks. The most important prerequisites to safe flying are pilot & passenger attitude, competent instruction, and safe equipment. The modern paraglider is a sophisticated aircraft that has been computer-designed, flight-tested and certified to an international standard. Ongoing research, testing, and development ensure that paragliders are well-designed and very safe.
How do they fly and stay up?
The wing maintains its aerodynamic form under the internal pressure generated by forward flight. Paragliders can stay aloft when the rising air currents are greater than the descent rate of the wing and have performance similar to some hang gliders.
Do you jump off a cliff?
To begin with, we don’t jump off anything. Paragliders are usually launched by running off of moderate slopes with the glider inflated until you are lifted off your feet.
Are there any height or weight restrictions?
We use an adjustable harness and different-sized wings to cater for nearly every shape and size. As a general rule, we can easily cope with someone weighing between 40 kg and about 90 kg and standing 120 cm to 180 cm tall. If you are near or outside the extremes of these ranges, please advise us, and we will endeavour to accommodate your size.
Is it possible to suffer from dizziness or nausea during the flight?
Vertigo, or the feeling of losing one’s balance from a great height, disappears once you are comfortably seated and moving in the air. In very rare cases, it is possible to suffer from motion sickness, so we advise you not to take in excess food and drinks (especially alcoholic beverages) before your flight.
Are there any age limits?
No, but you need to be in good health; you can fly at all ages, even if it is not a particularly physically demanding sport. For minors, parental consent is required.
What do I wear and bring on the day?
Wearing clothes and shoes suitable for some physical activity is required:
- Sturdy non-slippery shoes or trekking sandals that you would run, jog or play sports in. Preferably with a closed toe to better protect your feet.
- A top you can run in. Even on a hot day, it is cooler up in the sky. On a cold day, it can be very chilly, so dress appropriately.
- Mid-thigh shorts, long pants (trousers) or tights are best, as you are secured by harness straps that pass between your legs.
- Spectacles or sunglasses are fine. If they are lose you may want to secure them before the flight.
- Sunscreen, hat and water – sometimes we have to patiently wait for the conditions to be just right.
Do I need to be physically fit to tandem?
Being a passenger is not physically demanding. While flying, you sit back and relax. During the launch phase, you may be asked to run a few steps at take-off and/or landing. Typically, if someone can walk up and down a flight of stairs or climb a small ladder, they can be a tandem passenger. If you have a past or existing injury or weakness that may be aggravated by a sudden change of pace or direction while walking or jogging, then paragliding is best avoided. As with most physical activity, if you have a joint or muscular problem, it may be aggravated by a tandem flight.
What about a person with a disability?
There are many types of physical and mental disabilities, and many people challenged with a disability can still enjoy the freedom of a tandem flight experience. It really depends on the nature of the disability. We are keen to share our passion for flight with anyone who feels likewise. Usually, the person with the disability and/or their caregiver will know if a tandem flight is possible, and we are happy to chat through the possibilities.
What if I am afraid of heights?
There are many levels of being ‘scared of heights’. There is a big difference between a healthy caution of heights and a true fear of heights. If you exhibit obvious and severe physical symptoms, such as sweating, dizziness, nausea when close to an edge, in a glass elevator, or even just thinking about being high, then paragliding is not going to be so enjoyable. If you simply feel a bit anxious and/or excited about your tandem flight, then you are normal.
Do I have to do tricks or scary stuff?
No, the intention is not to scare you. We will not perform any acrobatics or high-risk manoeuvres during a tandem flight experience. We are very responsive to how you feel in the air – after all, it is your flight – so we listen to you during the flight and tailor the experience to suit you. Some people want to gently cruise around and admire the scenery; others are thirsty for knowledge and want to know all the details about equipment, wind, etc; others are adventurous and want to be thrilled in the air by turns and dives. Of course, if at any stage you are feeling uncomfortable, we will take you straight to the landing. Safety is our first priority.
What if I feel sick during the flight?
It is not common, but you may feel nauseous. About one in every fifty people feels a little sick when flying, but only when we do fast turns. We minimise the risk of you feeling sick by checking how you are feeling during a flight and before any fast turns. If you are not feeling well, we slow things down and just cruise around so you can recover and enjoy. We estimate that only one person in every thousand is actually sick while in the air. Of course, we land as quickly and gently as possible when someone is truly feeling sick.
How many people can a tandem take?
As the name implies, a tandem paraglider can only carry two people: one qualified pilot and you, the passenger. The pilot will be in control of the entire flight; however, if the conditions are suitable and the passenger is willing, they will be given the opportunity to co-pilot the paraglider when soaring.
What about small groups? Do we fly together?
For small groups of two or more passengers, each will be flown in a separate tandem either simultaneously or consecutively. Depending on pilot availability, you can choose to either fly simultaneously (at the same time) or consecutively (one after the other). Some passengers want to fly at the same time, e.g., to wave at each other and/or take video/photography in the air; others prefer to fly consecutively, e.g., to take video/photography from the ground, look after children/pets, etc. Whenever possible, we let you make the choice.
What if the weather is not good on the booking day?
Paragliding requires a certain level of wind strength and direction to enjoy a safe flight. Of course, we must fly during daylight, and we cannot fly in the rain. We make every effort to forecast the weather in advance so that you and your pilot only travel to launch if there is a good chance of flying. However, the weather is unpredictable and full of surprises. If the booked time is not suitable for flying, we simply make arrangements for another day that does suit. Many people are lucky, and their preferred day is rewarded with a great flight. Others may require two or three different booking times to finally get airborne. We will communicate the day before and/or the morning of the flight to confirm the weather and the likelihood of flying.
Which is the best location to fly?
Odweanoma Mountain (Kwahu Paragliding site), though a very technical take-off point, has been regarded as one of the best places for flight experience.
How do they fly and stay up?
The wing maintains its aerodynamic form under the internal pressure generated by forward flight. Paragliders can stay aloft when the rising air currents are greater than the descent rate of the wing and have performance similar to some hang gliders.
Can paragliders go places?
Yes! A flight can go as far as possible, but due to time, landing site, and demand constraints, there is a limit on the travel distance.
About Paragliding
The Paragliding event was introduced by the Ministry of Tourism in 2005. The festival has attracted both Ghanaians and foreigners alike and has become an integral part of Ghana’s annual Easter celebrations, with 3 days of aerial fun, ceremonies, and music.
The inclusion of the events as part of the festivities has led to a dramatic increase in visits to the various attractions within the eastern enclave of the country, boosted tourist activities, and improved economic activity as well. Also, since its introduction, the event has drawn many enthusiasts to Kwahu and has positively impacted the local economy through transport businesses, tour operators, hospitality establishments, souvenir sellers, and the entertainment industry, among others.
Pilots with a wealth of experience are selected and coordinated across several parts of the world to cater for the diverse and dynamic nature of participants who come from around the world to fly and have fun. These pilots are flown in from various destinations and well hosted with decent standards of accommodation and transportation throughout their stay in Ghana for the event purpose
In line with the Tourism Sector’s vision of making Ghana a leading tourism destination in Africa, the Paragliding Festival was instituted to help achieve this goal.
Particularly to attract the growing number of people worldwide who enjoy adventure sports tourism. Paragliding adds a unique element to the gamut of attractions common to most sub-Saharan countries. This sport has made Ghana the destination of choice for tourists to sub-Saharan Africa.
The event is held annually during the Easter period in Kwahu, in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It attracts thousands of tourists from across the world, with numbers increasing annually, leading to the need to expand the take-off point on Odweanoma Mountain. The annual event, the flagship programme of the Ghana Tourism Authority, is organised to promote tourism in the country.
The post PARAGLIDING appeared first on Visit Ghana.
