Axis Paragliding Team : Tour : South Africa
As we prepare for the Summer Paragliding Tours in South Africa we remember the visit from some of our friends from Czech Republic the Axis Paragliding Team that took part in the World Cup and had lots of fun in Wilderness ,Sedgefield and the Garden Route
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Whale and Dolphin Viewing flights from a Trike - Powered Paraglider
We have now a new and wonderful addition to our services you can fly from Sedgefield on a flight that includes some training and as bonus see whales and dolphins in all there glory from the air .Naturally the longer you fly the more you see and the scenery is amazing . We launch from the ground on mainly windstill days and climb out over Gerricke's point in Search of marine life . To date we have spotted Hammerhead sharks , Great White sharks , Ragged tooth and large Rays . We also amazingly have spotted turtles ! Seals and other larger fish like Garrick can be spotted as well .
The standard flight is R 950-00 (20min) includes a few photos while the longer but great flight down the coast of Wilderness costs R1800-00 for a hour flight includes photos as well . We also offer Aerial Photography of houses and property in the region .
Paragliding Guiding : South Africa : Garden Route
Dolphin Paragliding offers a full range of service from he basic guidance where we give on site briefing and tips to fly various sites to full tour guides organising all facets of your paragliding trip including transport , accommodation , briefings and meals . Deon Borrett chief Instructor has been operating within the Western Cape and Garden Route for 20 years . He has pioneered many new sites in this region and has intimate knowledge of the area .We have in our team a German Speaking guide and on demand can have French Guide on call . All our Instructors and Guides are highly qualified and have between 15-25 years experience .
We offer local Tours within the Garden route area for very reasonable rates and offer accommodation that varies from backpacker to luxury homes .
Holiday Homes :Dolphin Rental
Dolphin holiday homes : Now has many holiday homes to rent . We have many houses to choose from to meet all the different budgets and style there are .Please contact us for any enquiries as we have a great selection and have cleaning services amongst other services like cooking in the morning .
Botswana Paragliding
Botswana is relatively flat country with few real hill launch sites . There are near the South of the Country some hills that have potential to launch and fly from . The are also hills to the north and north east but all launching is not for beginners and only experienced pilots must try this . The launches are from rough terrain . The biggest potential is for powered paragliders or winching as they have some suitable runways that are not to busy . Winter is warm and Summer is very warm and with some dust devils . I found a very nice runway near Tsodilo hills and one can fly onto ridge nearby and soaring could be possible .I would recommend an airband radio as the runway is used by bush pilots flying clients into area .
Botswana would have potential for big flat land flying but the danger is landing out amongst the wildlife that could provide some danger .While travelling in Botswana you will see the kings of the Sky the wonderful Vultures showing us how to thermal . There are many types of Vultures in Botswana but all are threatened due to poisoning , and collision or electrocution with power cables .
Dolphin Paragliding Tours offers excellent opportunity to travel and paraglide in South Africa . Groups can rely on us to have the complete tour ready including transport , accommodation and guiding services of the highest quality . We can offer Tours in English , Dutch , German and on request French . We typically tour in the Summer months and any time from October -March you can get get good flying in South Africa . We offer Tours to Reunion in September and October months .
Our tours start in Cape Town and will include Hermanus , Porterville and the Garden Route for a mixture of coastal soaring and some thermic XC flying . Our guides are highly qualified instructors and know the sites intimately . We average between 15-35 years experience per guide . We can do special trips that combine Game viewing and other Adventure activities as one of the guides is a specialist in wildlife . We also offer Mixed Tours in April - June Period which is adventure 4x4 trips to Namibia and Botswana with some flying where possible .We have all the experience and knowledge to make your trips enjoyable and stress free . We also offer guiding locally where we stay in the Garden Route . Please contact us for any further information and we can quote you per group size and length of tour . We are flexible and are willing to do trips to any sites and places in Southern Africa . We have experience of flying in Mozambique and Zimbabwe as well .
If you are in interesting in booking this tour please contact us
If you are in interesting in booking this tour please contact us
AXIS : Vega 4 Review
Review done by Deon Borret pilot with 19 years flying experience .
I have been flying the new Vega 4 for a few weeks now and can say without a doubt there is an increase in performance . The Wing also is now very sensitive to every bit of thermal lift there is making it easier to stay in light lift . The glider feels like you flying a glider in a higher class and the performance of speed and glide feels the same . Yet as with the previous model its quite resistant to turbulence and one feels quite assured in the wing and that it will behave well in trubulence . The Vega 4 is a bit more active than the Vega 3 but not dramatically so and the little extra movement in the wing will not deter most pilots from enjoying the thermalling experience as the glider climbs true and sweet . The wing pulls up very easily and is much lighter and easier to get above ones head than the Vega 3 . There is some extra movement on the wing in ground handling but otherwise its quite docile and ground handling is good . ( I have tested and seen so called EN B wings from other designs alot more active ) .Landing thee wing is quite easy but the extra glide must mean one must adapt normal approaches to the improved glide . Flaring is easy and normal range fo movement .
The brake pressure is light and precise but one has quite a bit of travel on the brake before the glider goes close to stall or spin so accidental induced spin or stall is unlikely . One must set the factory brake settings as the travel was too long for me but dont make it to short as then the glider does not go at maximum speed in hands up ..check tech details .
Overall a beautiful wing that can take you places and ideal XC wing without the stress if you a average to active XC pilot you dont need to go to the DHV2-3 league (EN D) to enjoy good flights anymore .
Will udate after some XC flights under the belt .
Skywings Paragliding Club based in the Garden Route had a brilliant showing in NationalsParagliding Championships held in June 2013 in Barbeton . Skywings managed to win threeclasses out of the 6 available . The Western Cape as a whole was in top form with five 1st placing’s and 2nd overall . This has been one of best performances by the Western Cape as a whole for many a year .
The World Championship has just taken place in Bulgaria and locals Jan Minaar ( Team Manager) and Jane Bowden ( Team Pilot ) took part and overall the team did quite well in difficult conditions placing 18th out 38 Nations taking part .
Congratulations to all the winners
Novice class: 1st: Doc Hawkins (Glen Club - WC) 2nd: Christo Herbst (Flytribe - GP) 3rd: Oliver Esplin
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Intermediate class: 1st: Lloyd Wald (Glen Club - WC) 2nd:Kevin Mitchell 3rd: Laura Nelson (1stPara - GP)
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Sports class: 1st: Jan Minnaar(Skywings Wilderness) 2nd:Khobi-JaneBowden (Skywings Wilderness) 3rd:Ryan Mulholland (1stPara - GP)
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Ladies: 1st:Khobi-JaneBowden (Skywings Wilderness) 2nd: Chrissi Drunk (Flytribe - GP) 3rd: Laura Nelson (1stPara - GP)
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Tandem: 1st: DeonBorrett /Marisa Du Plessis (Skywings - Mc Donalds)/ 2nd:Bruce Zaayman (Cloudbusters - GP) 3rd: Thomas Webb (Glen Club - WC)
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Overall: 1st:RussellAchterberg (Cloudbusters - GP) 2nd:AnthonyAllen (Glen Club - WC) 3rd:Anton Naude (LSSC)
Paragliding in Namibia and Mozambique
Deon Borrett headed out on his yearly 4x4 adventure trip to the North of our borders . This year the trip was longer and included Namibia , Botswana , Swaziland and Mozambique . The trip did not revolve around paragliding but the wings were waiting for an opportunity to fly . The first flight took place at the famous Dune 7 in Namibia which has been a dream of mine since travelling in Namibia the first time many years ago . We arrived with the wind from the west and quite strong but perfect for the west facing ridge and started to soar the great majestic dunes until sunset and then were greeted with the full moon rising . The next part of our journey took us to the wonderful area of Purros famous for Desert Elephants . We had some close encounters with there great Elephants and I even had to do a polite retreat from an unhappy female who found my photography annoying . Purros from past travels was a much to look forward flying destination . The dunes and mountains nearby provide a easy access and simple launch for even novice class pilots . We flew for most days but we had one day in particular with lots of lift far into the valley something cross between thermals and valley release and with the height above the valley the views were breath taking stark and surreal . The feeling is one of true escape and space when flying this remote region and being remote one must temper enthusasim with caution as the nearest serious medical facility is 600km away . The valleys surrounded Purros are teeming with wildlife , even a few black rhino can be found .This year we went in May and the heat was on around 36 degrees in midday , crazy for so called winter . The next part of journey took us to Botswana for more wildlife experiences and the spotted hyeanas gave us a good working over on our arrival in a remote camping area . We slept very lightly for a few nights as there visits were rather rude and intrusive and the idea of them munching on my head made instilled caution even though we were reasonably safe in tents . We headed to South Africa to attend the Paragliding Nationals and then for quick visit to Swaziland were on our way to Mozambique for warm seas and lots of ridge soaring . We flew at the Xai Xai where we discovered a nice little take off that is quite easy to launch and top land in the centre of the village . From Xai Xai we headed up north where Inhambane had some nice small site facing north winds which blew for a few days . The the south wind took its turn and I went messing around near Tofu , but the wind for Mozambique is the rarely seen East wind then flying heaven will fly into your lap as all ridges seem to face east . I travelled south past Maputo to south of Inhaca Island near Santa Maria and some nice sunset flights overlooking whales ,dolphins jumping and turtles diving . Finally we were in Ponto de Ouro a nice south facing site that had us flying across the border between South Africa and Moz and back a few times . Mozambique is fun and warm like most of its people and the flying is easy if you have good ground handling and dune flying you going to have plenty fun .
Video Namibia Paragliding
Sho't left for Sa tourism , Nico Panagio for Top Billing and Survivor have all flown with the winiing team of Dolphin Paragliding .
