Parakiting VS Paragliding?
If you’ve watched pilots skimming along sand dunes in strong coastal winds, carving turns just metres above the ground, you might have thought: “That’s paragliding, right?”
Not quite.
While parakiting and paragliding share the same basic idea – free flight under a fabric wing – they differ significantly in wing design, flying environment, control systems, risk profile and training requirements.
This article breaks down those differences so pilots and curious newcomers can clearly understand what each discipline involves, and what’s required to fly them safely in Australia.
1. Definitions in Simple Terms
Paragliding
Paragliding is a free-flying air sport where pilots launch a flexible, non-motorised wing from a slope or via tow, then use rising air (thermals or ridge lift) to gain height and travel. It is typically associated with:
-
Mountain and ridge sites
-
Thermalling and cross-country flying
-
Flight durations from minutes to many hours
The focus is on altitude, glide performance and distance.
Parakiting
Parakiting is a more recent discipline that blends aspects of paragliding, speed-flying and depower kites. Pilots fly small, reflex-profile wings specifically designed for:
-
Strong coastal or dune winds
-
Low-altitude, terrain-based soaring
-
Dynamic, high-energy carving close to the ground
The focus is less on distance, and more on strong-wind control, proximity to terrain and playful, high-energy flying.
Brands such as Flare (Moustache), Dudek (Touch), Ozone (Vapor), Dune Rider (Scraper) and mini-wings like the Niviuk Roller 2 all sit within or close to this discipline.
2. Wing Design and Aerodynamics
Paragliders
Modern paragliders (for example, the sort of wings used for XC or ridge soaring) typically use a non-reflex airfoil designed to maximise lift and glide. Key characteristics:
-
Larger wing areas: roughly 22–28 m² for most pilots
-
Higher aspect ratios on performance wings to improve glide
-
Designed for a wide speed range via trims and speed bar, but with a primary aim of efficient thermalling and gliding
The aerodynamics are optimised for staying in the air as long and as efficiently as possible.
Parakites
Parakites use a reflex or semi-reflex profile, a concept borrowed from speed wings and some paramotor wings. This gives better stability at low angles of attack and high speeds, especially in strong winds.
Typical characteristics:
-
Smaller wing areas: roughly 12–20 m², depending on design and pilot weight
-
Shorter lines and more compact planform
-
Airfoil tuned not for maximum glide, but for stability, speed and powerful flare close to terrain
Examples:
-
Flare Moustache / Moustache 2 – parakites with a unique control system that alters the wing’s angle of attack.
-
Dudek Touch – reflex parakite with strong-wind coastal soaring in mind.
-
Ozone Vapor – Ozone’s dedicated parakite built from their long experience in speed and kite design.
-
Dune Rider Scraper – high-aspect performance parakite aimed at advanced dune pilots.
3. Wind and Site Requirements
Paragliding Conditions
Paragliders are designed to operate in moderate wind. Too much wind can create dangerous overshoot or front-collapse risk, especially on launch.
Common environments:
-
Mountain launch sites
-
Inland or coastal ridges
-
Sites with reliable thermals or ridge lift
Typical useful wind on launch: roughly 5–25 km/h, depending on site and glider.
Parakiting Conditions
Parakiting is deliberately aimed at stronger wind ranges. The reflex design and control systems allow the wing to remain stable and manageable even when the breeze is too strong for a standard paraglider.
Common environments:
-
Coastal dunes and sand ridges
-
Sea cliffs with laminar onshore wind
-
Wind-rich slopes with soft landing areas
Typical wind: often 20–40 km/h or more, depending on wing size, pilot weight and site. Parakites are particularly associated with dune sites where pilots can ground-handle, “surf” the slope and make short, dynamic flights.
4. Control Systems and Flight Technique
Paragliding Control
Standard paragliders are controlled by:
-
Brake toggles – deforming the trailing edge to turn and to adjust speed
-
Weight shift – leaning in the harness to help initiate and coordinate turns
-
Trimmers and speed bar – in some wings, to change pitch and speed
Energy management (pitch, roll, flare) is largely done by understanding the wing’s behaviour and using brake inputs carefully, especially during launches, landings and collapses.
Parakite Control
Parakites often introduce additional or alternative control concepts:
-
Brake systems that can change the wing’s angle of attack/incidence, not simply pull down the trailing edge
-
Reflex trims that significantly affect speed and stability
-
Some designs borrowing “depower” concepts from kites, letting pilots dump or add power quickly
The result is a flying style that emphasises:
-
Fast carving just above the ground
-
Very strong, controllable flare landings
-
The ability to maintain control in wind conditions that would be unsuitable for a normal paraglider
However, this also means the energy in the system is higher and closer to the ground, so precise control and good judgement are critical.
5. Speed, Energy and Risk Profile
Paragliding Speeds
A typical paraglider might have:
-
Trim speed around 35–40 km/h
-
Top speed (on full bar) around 55–65 km/h, depending on class
The main risks include:
-
Collapses in turbulence or incorrect manoeuvres
-
Loss of control at altitude (requiring reserve parachute deployment)
-
Misjudged landings or take-offs
Parakiting Speeds
Parakites and related small wings can:
-
Cruise comfortably at higher speeds, often in the 40–70 km/h bracket
-
Store a lot of kinetic energy close to the terrain
-
Generate very powerful flare landings when flown correctly
The main change in risk profile:
-
Reduced likelihood of classic collapses due to reflex stability
-
Increased risk of terrain impact, because the flying is low, fast and often performed in strong wind and close to features (dunes, ridges, obstacles)
This does not make parakiting “safer” or “more dangerous” in a simple way – it shifts the nature of the risk. Training and discipline are essential.
6. Training and Progression
Standard Paragliding Progression
Most pilots start with a beginner paragliding course, earning their initial licence under a national body (such as SAFA in Australia). They learn:
-
Ground handling and inflation
-
Launch and landing
-
Basic soaring, thermalling and emergency procedures
From there, they progress to larger flights, cross-country training and more advanced techniques.
Parakiting Progression
Parakiting is not a beginner discipline. It is best approached once a pilot already has:
-
Strong ground-handling skills
-
Solid understanding of air behaviour and wind gradients
-
Good active piloting ability
Many pilots will:
-
Learn and consolidate on a standard paraglider.
-
Add a mini-wing/speed-flying course to understand small-wing behaviour.
-
Move into parakiting using specific training on wings like the Flare Moustache, Ozone Vapor or Dudek Touch, usually at sites suited to this type of flying (e.g. coastal dunes).
Flying a parakite without appropriate training, supervision and endorsements is unsafe and, in Australia, non-compliant with sport aviation rules.
7. Harnesses and Equipment
While some pilots do use the same harness across disciplines, parakiting often benefits from:
-
Compact, robust harnesses that are comfortable for repeated take-offs and landings on sand
-
Harnesses that offer good mobility for running and ground handling
-
Helmets with adequate protection for potential ground contact
Reserves may be fitted, but due to the low heights commonly used in parakiting, a reserve may not always be effective. This places even greater importance on site choice, conservative decision-making and correct training.
8. Flying Objectives and “Culture”
Paragliding
Paragliding culture tends to centre on:
-
Seeking thermals and ridge lift
-
Enjoying long, scenic flights
-
Attempting cross-country distances
-
Competitions based on distance, speed and task completion
It is often described as meditative and exploratory.
Parakiting
Parakiting culture is more:
-
Session-based, like surfing or kite-surfing
-
Focused on manoeuvres, carving, flares and playing with wind and terrain
-
Driven by strong-wind days or dune sessions rather than thermals
Pilots often talk about “surfing the air” or “riding the dunes” – the sensation is more like a windsport on land than classic mountain paragliding.
9. Who Should Consider Parakiting?
Parakiting may be appropriate for you if:
-
You are an experienced paraglider pilot with strong ground-handling skills.
-
You are a mini-wing or speed-flying pilot looking to expand into strong-wind dune or coastal environments.
-
You are prepared to undertake specific training on parakites, not just “teach yourself” on a small wing.
If you are new to free flight, the correct path is to start with a certified school and beginner paraglider course, not a parakite.
Important Disclaimer – Flying in Australia
Paragliding, speed-flying and parakiting are regulated air sports in Australia.
To legally and safely fly these wings in Australia, pilots must comply with the requirements of the:
Sports Aviation Federation of Australia (SAFA) – https://safa.asn.au/
This includes, but is not limited to:
-
Holding current SAFA membership
-
Obtaining the appropriate pilot certificate and endorsements for the type of wing and flying you intend to do (paragliding, mini-wing, speed-flying, parakiting, tandem, etc.)
-
Flying only at approved sites and in accordance with local site rules and airspace regulations
-
Receiving instruction through SAFA-approved schools and instructors
Flying without the correct endorsements, outside approved procedures or at unsuitable sites can result in:
-
Serious risk of injury or death to yourself or others
-
Breaches of aviation and safety regulations
This article is general information only and does not replace formal training, official SAFA guidance, local site rules or professional instruction. Always seek advice from qualified instructors and refer to SAFA for current requirements before flying.
Conclusion
While they may look similar to the untrained eye, paragliding and parakiting are distinct disciplines:
-
Paragliding focuses on altitude, glide and distance in moderate conditions.
-
Parakiting focuses on strong-wind, terrain-based, high-energy flying close to the ground.
Both require proper training, the right equipment and a commitment to safety. In Australia, that also means adhering to SAFA rules and obtaining the correct endorsements before you take to the air.
If you’re excited by the idea of carving dunes under a Flare Moustache, Dudek Touch, Ozone Vapor, Dune Rider Scraper or similar wing, start by talking to a SAFA-approved school, building a strong paragliding foundation, and then progressing into parakiting with expert guidance.
