Courses

We guarantee to have you in the air on your first day!
Designed to give you an overall feel for our sport, you will first have the opportunity to fly with one of our instructors on a mountain Tandem flight and then get the chance to try solo gliding at our Training Hill. We start slowly with low straight and level hops, then progress steadily to several higher exhilarating flights. You will go home smiling!


Fun times at the Training Hill

Watch a short video of a Student Training Flight


All smiles during a Tandem flight


*Instruction on a daily basis is offered to those having completed the 'Day Taster' course as well (Cost: $275 +HST)


More photos in our DayTaster Gallery

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This course provides you with the opportunity to fully 'earn your wings'. Instruction is given with a low student to instructor ratio working on practical theory, ground-handling and soaring skills, through to completing 35 high flights and writing both the Beginner and Novice Pilot examinations. Upon successful completion, the student receives a national pilot rating under HPAC (The Hanggliding and Paragliding Association of Canada) and is qualified and confident to fly all Novice-rated sites in the country and world-wide. This is run as a progressive course and, unlike most other flight schools, is catered to individual learning styles without a strict time frame.

Certified Novice Course specifics are explained in greater detail in person after successful completion of the DayTaster Course.

* Vancouver Island Paragliding supplies all flying gear (glider, harness, radio, etc.) up to and including a student's first 5 high flights. You are then required to purchase your own gear and we will discuss the specifics of this with you (new vs used, size, rating, etc.).

More PHOTOS

For Novice or Intermediate rated pilots. This course is spread out over 2 days and focuses on refining launch/landing skills, thermalling strategies, as well as introducing more advanced maneouvres. Also intended for pilots wishing to have a refresher or to focus on a few particular things that they just haven't mastered to their liking.

Introductory Paragliding Course

Set amongst a gently sloping hill in the magnificent Cowichan Valley, students are trained by top pilots in the industry for a safe and instructional introduction to paragliding.

Watch a flying short video of an Introductory Paragliding course participant:

Designed to give you an overall feel for the free-flying sport of paragliding, our instructors will cover all the basics - from flying equipment and safety - to basic flight theory. We start slowly with low, straight and level hops, then progress steadily to several higher exhilarating flights. Before long, you will get your feet off the ground with multiple short, paragliding flights!

We start slowly with low straight and level hops, then progress steadily to several higher exhilarating flights. You will go home smiling!

Price does not include 12% HST

Set alongside a gently sloping hill in the magnificent Cowichan Valley, students are trained by top pilots in the industry for a safe and instructional introduction to paragliding.

Watch a short video of an Introductory Paragliding course participant:

Designed to give you an overall feel for the free-flying sport of paragliding, our instructors will cover all the basics - from flying equipment and safety - to basic flight theory. We start slowly with low, straight and level hops, then progress steadily to several higher exhilarating flights. Before long, you will get your feet off the ground with multiple short, paragliding flights! (further details provided upon request)

All gear provided (helmet, harness, radio, glider)
HST (12%) not included