HOME Travel Guide Common Sense Travel
decorative font style
    Travel >> Holiday Travel >  >> Travel Notes

Overcoming Fear of Heights: Tandem Paragliding Adventure in Maui

Besides our exhilarating island helicopter tour, the highlight we anticipated most in Maui was tandem paragliding. I felt some nerves, but I was especially worried for my partner Scott, who has a genuine fear of heights. Could he handle soaring 3,000 feet above ground, harnessed to a massive paraglider?

To our surprise, we both managed far better than expected.

We arrived at the landing site just before 8:00 a.m. and met Dexter, owner of Proflyght Paragliding, along with his crew. As we ascended the mountain with Dexter, his mother (a business partner), and three pilots, we gained insights into the paragliding community—a lifestyle of global adventure travel with gear on their backs, launching from sites worldwide.

They truly elevate adventure travel to new heights.

After being dropped at the launch site, butterflies stirred in my stomach. Am I really doing this? In addition to mild claustrophobia, I've developed a touch of acrophobia in recent years—likely from Scott.

We paired with our experienced pilots. Chatting with my guide, Pete, eased my concerns completely. With over 20 years of flawless safety records—no accidents, not even a sprained ankle—they've flown 80-year-old women and even infants. If they can, so could we.

Takeoff was effortless, aided by perfect winds. Pilots waited for ideal upward airflow before launching, prioritizing passenger safety above all.

Floating thousands of feet above the treetops felt surreal.

Overcoming Fear of Heights: Tandem Paragliding Adventure in Maui

The panoramic views were breathtaking: Maui's coastline and mountains under a vivid blue sky. We felt utterly at peace. Post-flight, our legs turned to jelly, but grins lasted all day. No wonder it's so addictive!

Have you ever tried paragliding?

Disclosure: We were hosted by the Maui Visitors Bureau and Proflyght Paragliding. All opinions are our own.

Travel Notes
  • Discover the Historic Charm of Glen Lyon: A Journey Through Scotland s Longest Valley

    I walked in under an early night, handrailing on a small river out from the tiny settlement at the Bridge of Balgie. Balgie lies at the heart of the longest valley in Scotland. Glen Lyon itself is sited in the belly of the highlands and was once a military stronghold for the Picts. The glen seems to flow over with history, yet speaks of an everlasting present. There’s a bite in the air as I walk alongside the burn and out onto the open moor. On the moor it’s dark. Nothing to challenge the

  • Into Seclusion: A Journey from Cardiff to Gatwick

    DAY 0 – EVER READY Within minutes of turning up at Chris’ house the floor was strewn in a mess of kit. Piles labelled ‘In’, ‘Out’, and ‘Maybe’ – the usual last minute decisions which always lead to over-packing whilst at the same time forgetting that vital bit of kit. With the bags filled, Dave, Chris and Peachey set out from Cardiff to meet Greg at Gatwick. He was still packing at the airport when we found him, but eventually we hauled all our bags over to the service desk. ‘Peachey – O

  • Exploring Baffin Island: Arctic Extremes and Spectacular Cliffs

    Baffin Island is an area that defines extremes. Earth’s fifth biggest island lies well within the Arctic Circle, ensuring it experiences 24-hour daylight over the summer, but suffers complete darkness during the winter months. It’s not unusual for temperatures to drop to -30°C, and that frigid cold is exacerbated by gale force winds and the consequent wind chill. The largest sea cliffs on Earth rise up out of the North East fiords for nearly two kilometres. Scientists have found rock on Baff