More Direct Energy Control
Modern parakites use control systems that can change the wing’s behaviour and effective angle of attack more directly than a conventional paraglider. The exact system varies between manufacturers and models.
Coastal flying for experienced paraglider pilots
Parakiting in Portugal
Discover a faster, more dynamic way to play with the wind during our annual coastal parakiting week.
We normally run one or two parakiting weeks each year on the Portuguese coast, usually toward the end of February before our Algodonales guiding season begins in March.
Portugal and Matalascañas
Existing pilots only
Introduction—not a qualification course
!
An important distinction
We Do Not Fly Parakites in Algodonales or Mountainous Terrain
Our parakiting sessions take place in suitable coastal environments, normally on the Portuguese coast or at Matalascañas in Huelva, Spain. We choose open coastal locations because this is the environment in which we introduce pilots to parakite handling and flying.
Parakiting is not included as part of a normal Algodonales guiding week.
A different style of soft-wing flying
What Is Parakiting?
Parakiting is an emerging form of dynamic flying that combines familiar paragliding skills with a specialised wing and control system. It is particularly suited to open coastal environments, smooth wind and close-to-the-ground soaring.
Compact, Fast and Dynamic
Parakites are commonly flown at higher wing loading than normal paragliders. They respond quickly, carry energy and reward accurate, well-timed control.
Designed Around the Wind
The discipline is especially attractive for coastal soaring, carving, ground play and repeated transitions between handling and flight.
Not Simply a Small Paraglider
The controls, energy, wind range and handling technique can feel very different. A competent paraglider pilot still needs a careful introduction to the particular parakite and its operating system.
Parakiting is not a shortcut into paragliding.
Our weeks are for pilots who already have solid independent paragliding skills. We do not use parakites to teach complete beginners how to fly.
Open coast, suitable wind and room to work
Where We Introduce Pilots to Parakiting
We use coastal locations where the terrain, access, wind and available space are suitable for the group and the day. The final location always remains weather dependent.
Primary trip location
Annual trip
The Portuguese Coast
Portugal is the main destination for our organised parakiting week. The coastline gives us the opportunity to assess different coastal areas and choose the most appropriate option for the expected wind and group.
- Normally one or two weeks each year
- Usually scheduled in late February
- Run before our March guiding season
- Exact location selected around conditions
- Dates published separately on our calendar
Spanish coastal option
Huelva, Spain
Matalascañas
Matalascañas is our Spanish coastal option for suitable parakiting introductions or familiarisation sessions. It is separate from our mountain flying operation in Algodonales.
- Open Atlantic coastal environment
- Used only when conditions and access are suitable
- Sessions arranged separately
- Not part of a standard guided week
- Availability discussed directly with us
The beach is not automatically safe because it is flat.
Wind strength, gusts, tide, beach users, obstacles, rotor, surface condition, access and local restrictions all matter. We confirm the actual operating area only after assessing the day.
THE BROADER TRIP
Parakiting is part of a larger coastal week
Explore the Portugal Coastal Flying Tour
The annual Portugal trip is not limited to parakites. Depending on the forecast, group and equipment, the week can combine conventional coastal paragliding, ground handling, a little touring and supported parakite familiarisation.
Use the Portugal page for the wider trip format, timing, pilot requirements and next-date information. Use this page when you specifically want to understand parakiting.
Weather-led coastal itinerary
Conventional paraglider flying
Parakite familiarisation
Normally late February
View the Portugal Tour
A supported introduction for existing pilots
What to Expect From a Portugal Parakiting Week
This is a coastal flying trip built around familiarisation, supported practice and enjoying a different style of wing. It is not advertised as a formal instructional or qualification course.
Daily Conditions Review
We look at wind direction, strength, tide, coastal effects and the realistic options before choosing the plan for the day.
Wing and Control Familiarisation
Pilots are introduced to the particular parakite, risers and control system being used before progressing toward more dynamic handling.
Ground Handling First
The initial focus is understanding inflation, depower or angle-of-attack control, wing position, energy and safe ways to stop or disable the wing.
Progressive Coastal Flying
Flying activity is introduced progressively according to the pilot, equipment, wind and space available. No particular manoeuvre or amount of airtime is guaranteed.
Time to Practise and Explore
The week allows experienced pilots to build familiarity rather than trying to compress the entire experience into one short demonstration.
A Coastal Flying Trip
The trip is also about enjoying Portugal, spending time with other pilots and making the most of suitable coastal conditions when they arrive.
Typical timing
Late February
We normally schedule the Portugal parakiting trip immediately before our guided flying season begins in Algodonales in March.
Typical frequency
One or Two Weeks Per Year
Places are naturally limited because the trip is designed around a manageable group and suitable equipment.
Trip classification
Introduction and Familiarisation
It is not a beginner paragliding course and does not award a separate pilot qualification.
Weather remains the deciding factor.
A parakiting week cannot guarantee a fixed number of flying hours or suitable conditions every day. We use the available forecast and coastal options, but will not operate merely to keep to a timetable.
Experience required before arrival
Who Is the Parakiting Week For?
You must already be able to fly a paraglider well. The trip is intended for current pilots with reliable fundamental skills—not pilots who still require basic launch, control or landing instruction.
The week may suit you when you are:
A Confident and Current Paraglider Pilot
- Comfortable launching and landing independently
- Competent at controlling a wing on the ground
- Able to assess your own limits and stop when appropriate
- Comfortable following a detailed equipment briefing
- Interested in coastal soaring and dynamic wing control
- Prepared for a weather-dependent week
The week is not designed for:
Complete Beginners or Early Students
- Someone who has never flown a paraglider
- A pilot who cannot launch and land independently
- Someone looking for an EP or CP course
- A pilot expecting guaranteed strong-wind flying
- Someone wanting to use a parakite in mountain terrain with us
- A pilot unwilling to follow wing-specific limitations
Not sure whether your experience is suitable?
Tell Us Honestly About Your Recent Flying
Send your qualification, approximate airtime, normal wing, recent flying activity and ground-handling experience. We will give you a straightforward answer about whether the trip is appropriate.
Familiar skills—different responses
Paraglider and Parakite: What Changes?
The exact differences depend on the model, but pilots should expect the parakite to require a fresh briefing rather than assuming every conventional paragliding habit transfers unchanged.
Area
Conventional paraglider
Parakite introduction
Control system
Primarily brake and accelerator control
May include more direct angle-of-attack or depower control
Wing loading
Normally selected for broad thermal and soaring use
Often smaller and more highly loaded for dynamic coastal use
Energy
Familiar pitch and speed range for the pilot’s normal wing
Faster response and greater need to anticipate stored energy
Environment
Mountain, thermal, ridge and coastal flying depending on wing and pilot
Introduced by us only in suitable open coastal terrain
Learning approach
Normal pilot training and progression pathway
Wing-specific familiarisation for pilots who already fly competently
Equipment advice and sales
Interested in Buying a Parakite?
We can supply selected parakites and help you consider the type of wing, size and control system that may suit your experience and intended use.
We do not pretend to be the correct dealer for every brand. When we are not an authorised dealer for the parakite you want, we will recommend an appropriate specialist dealer rather than trying to sell you the wrong product.
Discuss your experience and goals
Compare wing concepts
Check realistic size options
Arrange supply where available
Refer to a specialist where appropriate
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PARAKITE
Experience?
Weight?
Location?
Goals?
A parakite should not be chosen from a social-media clip.
Suitability depends on the pilot, all-up weight, expected wind, control system, intended terrain and the model’s own documentation. We may recommend further familiarisation before purchase.
PARAKITER
YOUR WIND WINDOW
FLYABLE
Wing · Weight · Site · Tide
Forecast
Sites
Alerts
Tides
Chats
Logs
A useful independent resource for parakite pilots
Discover the Parakiter App
Parakiter is a dedicated app created for the parakiting community. It combines wing- and weight-aware wind windows with site forecasts, custom alerts, tide information, site discovery, chats and flight logging.
The app belongs to a friend of ParaglidingGuide and is operated independently. We are pleased to point pilots toward a tool built specifically around the needs of this developing discipline.
Wing-specific forecasts
Custom flying alerts
Tide-aware site information
Site finder
Session chats
Automatic flight logs
Planning tool—not permission to fly.
App information must still be checked against current observations, site access, tides, local restrictions and the pilot’s own assessment.
Coastal flying days
Parakiting in Portugal and Southern Spain
Common questions
Parakiting FAQs
Is this a parakiting course?
No. We describe it as an introduction and familiarisation week for pilots who already fly paragliders competently. It is not a beginner course and does not award a separate qualification.
Can a complete beginner join?
No. You must already be a competent, current paraglider pilot. Someone beginning paragliding should follow a recognised beginner training programme first.
Do you fly parakites in Algodonales?
No. We do not operate parakites in Algodonales or in mountainous terrain. Our parakiting activity takes place at suitable coastal locations in Portugal or at Matalascañas in Huelva.
When is the Portugal week?
We normally operate one or two weeks each year, usually toward the end of February before the Algodonales guiding season begins in March. Exact dates are published on our calendar or confirmed directly.
Is flying guaranteed every day?
No. Wind direction, wind strength, tide, access and local conditions determine whether a session is suitable. We will not operate solely to preserve the timetable.
Do I need to own a parakite?
Contact us before booking to discuss the equipment arrangement for the particular week. Availability, suitable sizes and the planned introduction must be confirmed before arrival.
Can I buy a parakite through ParaglidingGuide?
We can supply selected equipment. When we are not the correct authorised dealer for a particular brand, we will recommend an appropriate specialist dealer.
Is parakiting the same as speed flying?
The disciplines can overlap in size, speed and dynamic handling, but a modern parakite may use a distinct control concept and is not automatically interchangeable with a conventional speed wing. Follow the documentation for the exact model.
Interested in the next coastal week?
Tell Us About Your Flying Experience
Send your qualification, recent airtime, normal wing, ground-handling experience and whether you are interested in the Portugal trip, a Matalascañas introduction or purchasing a parakite.