Saturday, June 22, 2013

Too old to paraglide, man seriously hurt


Paragliding Muscle Rock park, 4:01 minute video
Contra Costa Times/Eric Kurhi, 6/21/13. "Paraglider, 79, seriously hurt in crash near Daly City beach."

"DALY CITY -- A 79-year-old man was in serious condition after being rescued from a hillside following a paragliding accident at Mussel Rock Beach about 3:15 p.m. Thursday.  According to the North County Fire Authority, crews responded on a cliff rescue assignment about a quarter mile north of the beach, at a popular paragliding area.

The man was placed on a backboard and taken via ambulance to the trauma unit at San Francisco General Hospital. No further information about his condition, identity or the accident was immediately available.

Paragliding is  similar to hang-gliding but uses a parachute-like wing with a harness suspended below it instead of a rigid frame.  According to a website for Zephyr Paragliding, which offers information on paragliding in the Bay Area, Mussel Rock Beach -- known as "The Dump" -- can be treacherous for gliders, with dangers from power lines, drowning and crashes. It states that four paraglider pilots have had fatal accidents in the area." 

Related  - What's the difference between hang gliding and paragliding?  Fly tandem: describes and illustrates, "... The paraglider is essentially a "parachute" wing, has no frame and is fairly elliptical..."  Videos: Dave Turner XT, Pacifica, CA- Speed flying and paragliding the 'Dumps' aka- Mussel Rock, You Tube, 5:39 minutes.  Pacifica Paragliding/Trevor Meeks, 8/12, Vimeo, 4:22 minutes."...paragliding montage from flying at Mussel Rock Park (aka "The Dumps") in Pacifica, California." Beginners, Gone with the Wynns.com, The paraglider is essentially a "parachute" wing, has no frame and is fairly elliptical, Vimeo, 2:39 minutes, hang gliding, Pacifica, CA.".... Hang Gliding is the closest thing to flying like a bird and there is no better place to try than in Pacifica, CA. ... Join Nikki in her first flight to see the whole experience. .,." 

Posted by Kathy Meeh

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Get with the times people. 79 is the new 29!

Anonymous said...

Agree!

While I have little aspiration to paraglide, I have every intent of still breathing at 79. Might even still be walking without assistance.