Sailing over Wanaka

Lake Wanaka is a beautiful lake in New Zealand bordered by the glassy waters and has become a destination for those seeking adventure in the great outdoors. Wanaka offers Paragliding or Hang Gliding for adventure seekers.

I was too excited about paragliding. I was little bit scared but I was excited even more than that to experience soaring above beautiful scenery. It was a great experience to sail in the air, hanging by a kite. I reached at Wanaka, it was a bright day. I was the first to jump from the cliff.  I was too nervous till the crew member of paragliding team told me that those caribiners could lift a car.

I closed my eyes and ran down the hill until the wind took the parachute, I was screaming, shouting…. After few minutes I opened my eyes, and wow!!! I was flying over the Wanaka Lake… It was a great feeling… It was too different from skydiving, where you constantly go down and while paragliding, I was sailing in the air… thermals pushed me upwards and I flew over. I saw downwards, from where I had jumped, people standing there were waving at me.

I was sailing through the air for almost 20 minutes and enjoying every minute of it, taking view of spectacular sights over Lake Wanaka. And then after sometime, I landed on the ground with stomach dropping feeling, I was feeling too cold. But it was an amazing experience; I was thinking of doing it again.

It feels simply great, hooked up with some cliffs attached to one big kite and then flying in the sky like a bird. It really was an unforgettable experience. Believe me; everyone should try this once in their lifetime.

If you are interested in such adventurous sports, you should go to Lake Wanaka to experience paragliding. You can also attend the annual paragliding festival at Wanaka in January.