Learn to fly in sunny Nelson
Trial Flight (Tandem) - $220
Experience and learn about paragliding by taking a trial flight with one of our experienced instructors.
PG1 Licence - $500 *Limited spaces available for 2024/25
After completing our Intro Course, the PG1 course is your first step towards obtaining a full pilot’s licence. 2-7 flying days and a minimum of six flights.
Speedflying
Speedflying uses small, high-performance wings to descend at speed down mountains or soar in stronger winds. We do not teach speedflying however our PG2 course is the best start to getting your speedflying licence. We will coordinate with expert speedflying instructor Jamie Lee on a pathway for you.
Intro Course - $300
1-2 days depending on conditions.
Nelson Bays Paragliding's 'Introduction Course" is an opportunity to learn about this exciting sport.
PG2 Licence + paraglider & harness - from $8,100 *Limited spaces available for 2024/25
Are you ready to take your paragliding skills to the next level? After completing the PG1 Course, it's time to dive into the sport fully and become a safe, competent, and confident solo pilot.
Gear is essential for the PG2, and with our connections to many brands and dealers we can find the right package for you. Second hand options may also be available.
Learn in one of New Zealand's best paragliding regions
We have multiple sites within driving distance of Nelson and Richmond including the Barnicoat Range, Takaka Hill, Tapawera, and smaller training hills.
The Nelson region, with it’s mix of mountains and coastal flying combined with good weather, is a popular region for national competitions. There is a strong community of regular flyers with a great local club https://tasmanhgpc.wordpress.com/
What is paragliding?
It’s launching from a hill and gliding through the air using a lightweight, foot-launched fabric wing.
It’s using the natural thermal currents and dynamic wind to stay flying, sometimes for many hours across hundred of kilometres.
It’s sitting in a harness suspended in the air, providing a bird’s-eye view of landscapes and is a serene yet exhilarating experience.
It’s using extremely portable equipment, allowing pilots to hike to remote locations and fly.
Paragliding offers a sense of freedom and connection with nature unmatched by other aerial sport. Once you try it you will question why it is not something everyone does. Training and certification are essential for safe and skilled paragliding. Come fly with us!
About us
New Zealand Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association licensed Paragliding Instructors.
The instructors are passionate about flying and love sharing the joy of free flight through teaching new students. They focus on safety, comprehensive instruction, and lots of practical practice. Every student is different, and they tailor their instruction accordingly, taking students from the absolute basics to becoming licensed, confident, unsupervised paragliding pilots.
Hamish has experience flying for 12 years in New Zealand, India, Korea, Western and Eastern Europe and elsewhere. He has helped many pilots learn and progress including assisting them in their first 10km to 70km cross country flights.
He is involved with safety in paragliding in New Zealand creating accident and incidents analysis reporting for the national association as well being part of a Safety Task Force, which included NZ’s top comp pilot and a flying psychologist, to take a deep dive into free flying safety. This culminated in the earning the team an international FAI (World Air Sports Federation) Air Sports Medal.
Steve is well known in the Nelson community as a cool-headed, experienced paragliding pilot who is generous with his time and a mentor to many intermediate-level pilots. He has many years of experience instructing in Christchurch and helping previous Nelson paragliding schools. He is currently the Paragliding Safety officer for the Tasman Club and helps keep flying safe by undertaking many warrant of fitness annual checks on paragliding wings & harnesses.
Steve is extremely knowledgeable (would not expect less, for his age LOL), informative and patient. He's so chilled which calms me at stressful situations. He helped me immensely at our trip in Bir, encouraging me to fly to all these places (crossing) that I thought I would never be able to make. I feel comfortable whenever I fly with Steve and I know I am well looked after. Steve gives me a peace of mind.