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The South Westerly wind is definitely the best wind direction to have to paraglide from Lions Head.
The image above displays the general airflow in a south-westerly wind.
Paragliding in the South Westerly is pretty much straightforward.
You need at least 15km/h of wind on the Top take off-site for Lions Head to be soarable.
If it becomes too strong to launch from the Top take-off site you will face cross-wind airflow from the NW on the bottom take-off.
The best way to take off from the bottom take-off is by doing a reverse launch and making sure that the left side of your wing comes up first.
If you stick to flying in the yellow circle you should have no problems reaching the summit and above in no time. Once you are above the peak of Lions Head you are now free to explore all other areas, as long as you are high above the peak.
The image above displays the dangerous areas marked in green on the sides of the mountain.
We often experience a strong Venturi effect (as shown in the green marked areas) on the sides of the mountain when it becomes soarable. This wind can be strong enough to blow you over the back and get you into deep trouble.
When taking off from the bottom take off, make an immediate right-hand turn to move into the middle area of the mountain. The green X marks a big rock right in the middle of the slope. Start making a left-hand turn when you pass the rock as you go downwind toward the dangerous areas of the mountain. You will see that it takes quite a while for you to complete the turn as you move closer to the Venturi area.
If you find yourself stuck in the Venturi you can apply the same techniques as discussed in Part 2 of the series.
The same rules as discussed in part 2 also apply when flying out towards landing. Approach far upwind from the landing area.
We often experience nice SW wind on the mountain only to find a much stronger Southerly wind at landing. By flying far upwind from landing when you are still high and then drifting back you will eliminate the risk of not getting to the landing field.
You should always keep a lookout for the increase of wind speed on the ocean like white horses or whitecaps. If you do see some white caps it would be best to rather fly out and go land.
In part 4 we will talk about the various locations of the house thermals.
For more information on paragliding or to book your next paragliding session, Please feel free to contact us at Fly Cape Town and we will be glad to help you.
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When launching from the bottom take-off site at Lions Head, it is recommended to perform a reverse launch. Ensure that the left side of your wing comes up first to maintain control. After take-off, make an immediate right-hand turn to navigate towards the middle area of the mountain, avoiding the dangerous Venturi effect zones marked in green. This technique helps ensure a safer flight path.
If you find yourself in strong winds, especially in the Venturi areas marked on the mountain, apply the techniques discussed in previous parts of the series. Always approach the landing area from far upwind while still high, allowing you to drift back safely. Keep an eye out for signs of increasing wind speed, such as white horses or whitecaps on the ocean, indicating that it may be best to land sooner rather than later.
When approaching the landing area, always approach from far upwind while still at a high altitude. This strategy allows you to drift back safely to the landing field. Be vigilant for signs of stronger winds, such as whitecaps on the ocean, which indicate that conditions may be changing. If you notice these signs, it may be wise to land sooner to avoid complications.
While paragliding from Lions Head, be cautious of the areas marked in green on the mountain. These regions often experience a strong Venturi effect, which can create turbulent conditions that may blow you over the back of the mountain. It is crucial to maintain awareness of your surroundings and avoid these zones to ensure a safe flying experience.
The Thrill of Paragliding from Lions Head Paragliding Lions Head is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular tandem paragliding experiences in Cape Town, South Africa.
In part 4, we will look at the locations of the “House” thermals. Knowing where they are could be the difference between one of those
How & When to Paraglide from Lions Head In Part 2 of Our “How & When to Paraglide from Lions Head”. We discuss how to
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