This course is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

All equipment is provided so come and join the fun!

These courses are run at Ruapuke on the west coast (near Raglan).

As a PG 1 student you will have an exhilarating experience flying solo from day one!

It's a great way to be introduced to flying without needing to purchase gear.

If you are looking for an experience that will change your life, you found it. From day one you fly feeling confident, armed with a proven training system to keep you safe and smiling.

You also gain access to our new VR training equipment (in Tauranga) where we provide video analysis coaching this is a fantastic learning tool, you fly our training site at Ruapuke building knowledge and skills prior to your first actual flights. We are the only school in New Zealand providing this technology.

Review

The paragliding equipment provided was exceptional, and the organisation of the day was finely tuned. Darrell is an extremely talented instructor and has a knowledge of the sport which is unsurpassed!

We also had the privilege of Andrea capturing everything we did on camera, including a brilliantly edited first flight video. Something to remember the course from, if you do not want to progress to your PG2.

I can't wait to return from my travels to pick up where I left off, complete my PG1 and rock on and do my PG2!

I also want to make comment on the amazing paragliding community! I was welcomed by all level of pilots, everyone providing encouragement and advice. Just brilliant when you are a bag of nerves. Cheers team!

Excellent all round professional experience! If you have any doubts, don't! Highly recommended and by far the best thing I have ever done 💯🤙

Pippa Coombs

PG1 Details

After arriving at the flying site there will be a safety briefing, you will be issued with gear and shown what to do. After that you'll get to learn by doing. This course involves -

Flight simulator training with our instructor, understanding how to fly
Ground handling - learning frontal launch techniques
6 short top to bottom solo flights, or equivalent soaring flight/s, on radio with the instruction

"Darrell and Brad are both incredible teachers. I've found a new hobby or sport I've fallen in love with so quickly and so much! Darrells Knowledge, skills and way in which he teaches builds so much confidence, I couldn't recommend these guys enough. Go for it.."

Madelyn

We are pleased to be offering Tandem Trial flights from 2nd January 2026!

This is the perfect introduction to our beautiful sport and a fantastic Christmas present.

Your trial tandem flight will be completed at our student paragliding site at Ruapuke on the west coast of the north island.

Your flight will be 15-30minutes. During the tandem trial flight you take control and learn how to fly the paraglider with an expert guiding that experience.

When you purchase your PG1 course you can select to include a Tandem Trial flight. This is a fantastic way for you to learn how to fly a paraglider with an expert pilot guiding you through the entire process.

The trial tandem flight is also transferable so you can gift it to your partner so they can also experience paragliding.

PG1 introduction course