Sharjah launches first paragliding centre

Sky Adventures by Shurooq offers tandem sessions, paragliding lessons and solo flights for licensed gliders

Sky Adventures, Sharjah's first licensed paragliding centre, is now open. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

The centre offers tandem sessions, paragliding lessons and equipment and support for those with a licence

Those who want to apply for a licence can sign up for a four-day course

The pilot paraglider’s package will offer licensed paragliders the chance to soar 5,000 feet in the air with full ground support

Paraglider Majed Darwish shows his skills at the launch

The centre aims to 'foster a sport culture in Sharjah', said Eisa Hilal Al Hazami, chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council

Open to both amateur and professional aerosports seekers from Monday, Sky Adventures by The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) marks Sharjah's first officially licensed paragliding centre.

Gliders can revel in panoramic desert vistas as they take off from the emirate's Al Faya Mountain.

Sky Adventures offers three packages and membership options — tandem paragliding with experienced professionals; a comprehensive, expert-led course to learn how to paraglide on your own and get an international paragliding licence; and guided flights for licensed paragliders who want to practise their skill and accumulate flight time.

Tandem paragliding open to all

Adrenalin seekers and those who want to experience the thrill of flying will be taken via buggy to the foothills of Al Faya mountain for a launch and safety briefing, followed by a tandem paragliding experience, for which participants will be strapped on with an instructor. Each session is between 10 and 15 minutes.

Learn to fly solo

The solo paragliding package is a four-day course divided into three-hour sessions. After lessons from a professional paraglider, participants can embark on five solo flights and apply for a paragliding licence, which is recognised internationally.

Take to the skies

The pilot paraglider’s package will offer licensed paragliders the chance to soar 5,000 feet in the air over Sharjah’s Central Region area with full ground support, weather observation and equipment. The membership programme has packages spanning between one and 12 months.

“We look forward to increasing the number of paragliders and fostering a sport culture in Sharjah through this centre,” said Eisa Hilal Al Hazami, the chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council. He was present at last week's launch of Sky Adventures alongside Sheikh Khalid Bin Isam Al Qassimi, chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation in Sharjah; Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, acting chief executive of Shurooq; Mohammed Yousuf Abdul Rahman, general secretary of EAF; Nasser Hamouda Al Neyadi, president of EAF; Yousef Hassan Al Hammadi, vice-president of EAF; and Khalid Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Tourism and Commerce Development Authority.

For more information or to register for Sky Adventures, visit sky-adventures.ae.