Who can go paragliding?

Short, honest answer: almost everyone can. On a tandem flight, beside an experienced instructor, you only need to be within a comfortable weight range and free of serious health restrictions. You do not have to be young, athletic or a natural daredevil — accompanied children, adults and older passengers fulfil the dream of flying at the Niterói ramp every day.

Almost everyone can do a tandem flight

Tandem paragliding was designed precisely to take ordinary people with no flying experience. You fly attached to an instructor certified by the CBVL, who takes full command of the wing — from reading the wind to the launch and the landing. Your part is to follow three or four simple instructions and enjoy the view.

So the question "can I?" almost always has a positive answer. The few points that really matter are objective: your weight, your age and any health conditions.

Weight: minimum and maximum

Weight is the most direct criterion, because tandem equipment has a safe working range. We fly passengers from approximately 20 kg to 110 kg.

• Minimum (~20 kg): allows children to fly comfortably, always accompanied and authorised by a guardian. Below that, the equipment may not respond ideally.
• Maximum (~110 kg): the limit that keeps launch and landing safe for the combined weight of instructor, passenger and equipment.

Close to the limit, or slightly above? Do not give up. Each case can be assessed individually, since factors such as the wind on the day play a part. Message us with your approximate weight and the team will confirm honestly before you travel to the ramp.

Age: children and older passengers

Children can fly as long as they are within the weight range and are accompanied and authorised by a parent or guardian. Many families turn the flight into an unforgettable gift — there is a full guide in paragliding with kids and family.

Older passengers: there is no maximum age. We have flown with passengers well advanced in years, and the experience is usually calm for anyone without serious health problems. A tandem flight demands very little physically: a few steps at launch and legs stretched out for the landing.

Can you fly while pregnant?

Our answer here is cautious: as a precaution, we do not recommend flying during pregnancy. Even though the flight is smooth, it involves the launch run, possible bumps from the wind and the use of the harness — situations we prefer to avoid entirely in that period. Wait until after the birth and, if you have specific questions, talk to your doctor and to our team.

Medical conditions: what to tell us beforehand

A simple principle: having a health condition does not automatically mean you cannot fly. What matters is an individual assessment — and that is only possible if you tell the team in advance.

• Heart conditions: the excitement of launch raises the heart rate for a few seconds. Worth assessing carefully and, if relevant, with medical advice.
• Bone, spine or joint problems: because there is a short run at launch and the legs touch down at landing, the instructor needs to know in order to adapt the manoeuvre.
• Recent surgery: wait for full recovery and medical clearance.
• Reduced mobility: there is often a solution; the instructor will advise the best way to take off and land in your case.

The golden rule: when in doubt, tell us. No piece of information is excessive.

Do you need fitness or experience?

No — and that is the best news in this guide. A tandem flight requires no special fitness and no previous experience. You do not need to know anything about flying, wind or equipment: all of that is the instructor's responsibility. In practice the passenger's effort amounts to walking a few firm steps at launch and stretching the legs to land on foot.

Documents and minors

On the day, bring a photo ID. For minors, authorisation from a parent or guardian is required, and ideally a guardian should be present at the ramp. Because documentation rules for minors can vary, confirm exactly what to bring when you book.

Still unsure about your case?

If your profile sits outside the weight range, if there is a health condition to consider, or if any doubt remains about age and documents, do not decide alone — ask. A quick message solves it, avoids a wasted trip and makes sure your flight is both safe and memorable. Tandem flying is designed to include, not to exclude.

📚 References (Wikipedia): paragliding