How to Use a Stuff Sack for a Paraglider

Paragliding is a sport in which participants carry soft, wing-shaped parachutes up to high places, then jump and glide downward to a landing spot. They can also be towed on a line behind a moving boat. Experienced paragliders can learn to ride air currents and hot air masses like a bird to extend their flight and enjoy moving through the sky in near silence. Since paragliding often involves reaching a high spot to launch from, the glider wings must be packed into a bag for the trip. This is what a paraglider stuff sack is used for.

Things You'll Need

  • Paraglider wing
  • Paraglider backpack
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Instructions

    • 1

      Evaluate your choice of launch and landing spots. How you access them will determine what kind of sack you need to use. If the spots are easy to access by vehicle or by a short climb, a basic stuff sack (which is just a fabric drawstring bag) will do. If, on the other hand, you have to hike in our out of your gliding spot, you may want to invest in a stuff sack with straps or one in backpack form.

    • 2

      Lay out the stuff sack flat on the ground, with the drawstrings loosened.

    • 3

      Bunch up your paragliding canopy. There are many different methods for doing this; some people prefer to accordion-fold the canopy, while others simply gather it all up in a bundle. Ask fellow paragliding enthusiasts for advice on what technique to use with your stuff sack and in the wind conditions you are facing.

    • 4

      Set the bunched-up canopy on top of the flattened stuff sack, then pile your other gear (such as your harness and helmet) on top of it. If you are using a backpack-style sack, you can place the canopy in the main compartment and stow your gear in the other small compartments.

    • 5

      Pull the drawstring through the plastic draw piece to pull the fabric of the bag tight around your gear.

    • 6

      Carry the bag to your launch point, unpack your gear and pack up the stuff sack by folding it up inside itself and tightening the string.

    • 7

      Secure your bag on your back or to your harness and make your flight. On landing, pack your gear again in the same way and carry it out of the area.