Embarking on Paragliding in Montenegro: A Journey to the Skies

Have you ever gazed at the colourful gliders dancing in the sky and thought, "Wow, I wish that were me"? Well, Montenegro offers the perfect starting point for your thrilling new hobby of paragliding. Your initial spark of interest is just the beginning of an exhilarating adventure.

Even though paragliding appears incredibly majestic and thrilling from the ground (and it truly is!), it's a good idea to dip your toes into the experience before fully committing to training. A tandem flight or a trial day at a flying school can be a fantastic way to see if this sport is for you.

Imagine the rush of your first tandem flight! It's an exhilarating way to safely discover if you're cut out for the highs of flying and comfortable with the altitude. A tip: Keep your pre-flight meal light, and communicate with your tandem pilot about the kind of experience you hope for. It doesn't have to be a heart-stopping spiral!

Many flight schools offer a "try-before-you-buy" trial day as part of their paragliding courses, typically costing between 50-100 EUR. This includes equipment rental, and often, the fee is deducted from your introductory course cost if you decide to continue, making it a cost-effective way to test the waters.

The introductory course, usually a week long, equips you with all the fundamental theoretical and practical skills for paragliding. You'll start on a practice hill or meadow, getting acquainted with the equipment under expert guidance, and gradually progress to small flights and basic manoeuvres.

The thrill escalates with your first high-altitude flight, an undeniably exhilarating moment. Flight instructors will be with you every step of the way, guiding you via radio as you glide through the skies.

For those interested in lowland flying, winch-based training is an alternative. Like high-altitude training, it requires several flights to qualify for the final test.

The culmination of your training is the paragliding exam, a mix of theoretical knowledge and a practical flight test evaluated by an independent instructor. Passing this is your gateway to freely soaring through the mountains or over the lowlands.

Contrary to what you might think, learning paragliding is relatively affordable, with the entire training, including the introductory course, equipment rental, and exam, costing between 750 and 950 euros. A new paragliding set costs around 3,500-4,000 euros, but purchasing used equipment at a lower price is always possible.

A piece of advice: Take your time to get comfortable with different equipment before making a purchase. Let your experiences and the guidance of flight instructors guide you to the paraglider and gear that feels just right for you.

Montenegro's skies are calling – are you ready to answer?