Speed-flying and speed-riding: a combination of parachuting sport and mountain skiing

In case you were wondering whether it is possible to combine paragliding and skiing, the answer is “Yes”. Speed-flying and speed-riding are two disciplines that make it possible. What are they like? Well, let us take you on an excursion to these kinds of sport.

What is it?

Speed-gliding is a sport that evolved from paragliding and free-ride. However, parachutes and paraglides are too big for speed-flying, which is why they were replaced by the wings. They are smaller and easier to control, but at the same time the duration of the flight is less than in parachuting sport.

Speed-gliding is a term that refers to both speed-flying and speed-riding. These disciplines are very similar, there is only one difference between them. Speed-riding is a sport that requires constant contact with the ground; even is a sportsman loses this contact, it does not last for too long. On the contrary, speed-flying involves spending most of the time flying, and sportsmen touch the ground very rarely.

It is possible to practice speed-gliding in the mountains where there is snow and wind. To succeed in it, it is crucial to be in good physical shape and have experience in parachuting or paragliding sport. It is better to do this sport in a company with a professional instructor. Another important thing that must be mentioned is that you must pay attention to the surroundings: sometimes you can see signs prohibiting speed-gliding on particular tracks.

Equipment

Only professionals who have a lot of experience are allowed to try speed-gliding since this discipline requires a lot of knowledge and practice. Apart from training, every sportsman needs special equipment and ammunition. What does it consist of?

• A set of mountain-skiing clothing must include a warm jacket, a pair of trousers. A pair of boots for skiing is necessary, too.
• A helmet with the glasses is another inevitable part of a sportsman’s costume.
• A pair of skis or a snowboard must be suitable for doing sports in the mountains.
• A backpack for all the equipment should not be too heavy.
• Avalanche equipment will also come in useful, since in the mountains there is a high risk of its occurrence.
• Finally, the wing must be chosen wisely in accordance with the weight of the sportsman and his or her parachuting abilities.

The wing

The speed glider, or the speed flyer, is often referred to as the ‘wing’. It is made of thick material similar to the fabric used in production of paragliders. Nylon and polyurethane are the best choices for the wings.

As for the dimensions of the speed glider, it is two times smaller than an average paraglider. This peculiarity is exactly what makes it possible to fly near the slopes. More things make the speed glider different from the parachute: it is lighter and, as a result, more maneuverable. In addition, there is a bigger variety of choices when it comes to choosing the harness. One sportsman might opt for a standing harness (it is used in the parachuting sport), whereas others might give their preference to a seated harness (it is more common for paragliding).

It is necessary to choose the wing depending on the discipline you want to try: speed-flying requires a little bit bigger wing because the sportsmen have to launch on foot. At the same time, the speed-riding wing is smaller (its surface is approximately 7-10 square meters) due to the fact that sportsmen use skis.

If we compare the wing to paragliders or parachutes, it appears that it can reach as high speed as a parachute (up to 145 km/h). The wing weights less than other types of flying equipment and is not more than 4 kilograms, whereas the weight of a paraglide might reach 13 kilograms. Finally, this is by far the cheapest flying apparatus since its price starts at $1200, which is $800 less than in other cases.

Safety rules

Since both disciplines have some peculiarities common for mountain skiing and parachuting sport, speed-flying and speed-riding are quite dangerous. The main danger is the high speed of flying (sometimes it reaches 145 kilometers per hour). At such a high speed it may be hard to operate the wing and change the direction of flying. Another danger is concerned with the fact that sportsmen move close to the ground, which is why they are at high risk of being injured. According to the statistics, more than 50 pilots died when they were flying.

What can one do to avoid all the risks mentioned above? First of all, professional instructions are crucial. Only classes at a specialized school will help you to learn how to operate the wing and act if something goes wrong. Moreover, instructors will teach you how to use all the equipment and what to do if it breaks down unexpectedly. Secondly, it is paramount to wear protective ammunition, such as helmets, knee and elbow pads, gloves and glasses. Finally, thorough first aid training will also come in useful.

There are some more things you should remember: always pay attention to the weather conditions, plan your route in advance and make sure that you have notified somebody where you are going.

History

Speed-gliding evolved from paragliding. In 1970s, French thrill-seekers began flying with parachutes from the mountains. They wore skis and tried to launch on foot. Then this extreme activity was forgotten and only in 2005, experimenting began again. The first speed-flying wing was constructed with the help of a French pilot Francois Bon. After that, commercial production of the wings began and by now, it has become a successful industry. In 2007, the first speed-flying competition was held in France. Nowadays, most speed-fliers come from France and Switzerland, because it is extremely popular in these countries.

That’s it! As you can see, speed-gliding (it includes speed-flying and speed-riding) is not a sport beginners should opt for because a lot of training and knowledge is required. But those who are experienced enough to try it will definitely feel a sense of satisfaction after covering long distances with the help of skis and the wing.