Proximity parakiting has exploded in popularity across Australia and New Zealand over the last few years. Once considered a niche branch of speedflying, it has quickly become a discipline of its own — blending precision, terrain awareness, and the agility of modern lightweight wings.
With the arrival of new-generation wings such as the Swing Wave RS, AU/NZ pilots now have access to dedicated proximity-focused parakites engineered for steep terrain, tight lines, and accurate flying.
What Is Proximity Parakiting?
Proximity parakiting involves flying a small, high-performance parakite close to terrain with intentional, well-controlled manoeuvres. This might include:
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Carving ridgelines
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Sweeping along cliff faces
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Flying dynamic compression zones
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Holding energy through pitches and dives
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Using terrain shape to maintain controlled speed
Unlike speedflying, proximity parakiting isn’t just about descent rate — it’s about precision.
Why AU/NZ Is Perfect for It
Australia and New Zealand offer some of the best proximity environments in the world:
Australia
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Coastal cliffs (NSW, VIC, WA)
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Compression-rich dunes (Rainbow Beach, Mandurah)
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Inland ridges and escarpments
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Good year-round flyable windows
New Zealand
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South Island alpine terrain
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Coronet Peak
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Treble Cone
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Queenstown back bowls
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Steep, technical lines ideal for small wings
The combination of steep faces, laminar airflow zones, and dynamic wind makes proximity flying not only possible — but deeply rewarding.
A Sport Driven by Technology
The latest generation of parakites has made proximity flying far safer and more predictable than older mini-wings. Features like:
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RAST stability systems
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Nitinol leading-edge reinforcement
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Lightweight D-Lite construction
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Tension-optimised internal structure
…give pilots more internal pressure, more pitch control, and a much more solid “platform” for close radar flying.
The Wave RS is one of the first wings to bring this technology to AU/NZ in a dedicated proximity-friendly format.
The Future of Proximity Parakiting Down Under
With more advanced wings available locally — and more experienced pilots refining their skills — proximity flying is now one of the fastest-growing disciplines in the region.
The next decade will likely bring:
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Dedicated proximity comps
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More qualified instructors
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Better site development
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Wider gear availability
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More local alpine missions
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A stronger AU/NZ parakite community
For pilots wanting to step into the proximity world, this is the ideal time.
