Trust us to get you in the air

100% Kiwi owned and run

Stew established Nelson Paragliding in 1993 after being introduced to the sport in Switzerland by some of the early pioneers and over the years he has taught hundreds of students to fly including most of the other paragliding operators in Nelson. Stew has held various national titles and cross country records. He was the first paraglider pilot in the country to fly more than 100kms and is a two times New Zealand paragliding champion. Stew currently holds the New Zealand Tandem distance record set in Oct 2006.

Nelson Paragliding features innovative instruction from qualified instructors with years of experience flying in different locations around the world. We use only the latest equipment and all training is individually tailored to the ability of the student, allowing you to learn to fly safely and confidently in a relaxed manner.

Safety

You'll progress at your own pace, gaining flying skills with coaching from patient and experienced instructors . From ground training, to short solo flights (50m), to a solo flight from the top of Barnicoat, Nelson's main thermal training site.

We teach a wide range of flying skills, including safety training, thermal technique, meteorology, cross-country flying, competition flying, tandem flights and much more. All of our high flights are done with full safety gear, back protection, helmet and clear, loud two-way radio instruction. Our focus is on safety first and we believe a safe pilot is a happy pilot!

"....a safe pilot is a happy pilot"

All the time you are in the school you will be under direct instruction on radio from a NZHGPA qualified instructor. Due to the very nature of paragliding we can't be sitting next to you during your solo flights but having a reassuring voice in your ear is the next best thing.

NZHGPA

The New Zealand Hang Gilding and Paragliging Association is responsable for regulating paragliding and hanggliding operations in New Zealand. This includes the issuing, or revoking, of licences, and air safety procedures for all solo, tandem and instructor pilots.
Additionally commercial tandem pilots must also gain a special commercial pilot licence as well as passing a security audit (SOP) for their operations.

Nelson Paragliding is registered with the NZHGPA and our pilots and instructors hold current NZHGPA ratings.

For more information please visit the NZHGPA website: www.nzhgpa.org.nz