Learning to fly has been my life long dream and for many years I did fly effortlessly in my dreams and the feeling was pure ecstasy. I could just be standing in one place and then, at will, just rise into space and be there for as long as I wanted. I yearned to feel this exhilaration in real life. I tried parasailing a couple of times, where you are tied to a canopy wing which is tied to a moving vehicle, but the feeling of free-flying was missing.
Then I tried tandem paragliding with Nirvana Adventures and was convinced that solo paragliding was the form of flying I wanted to learn. So I enrolled myself for the 4-day Elementary pilot course. The course fees included my stay at their dorms. The ladies dorm has 3 bunk beds with 6 person occupancy and an attached bath. It is basic but clean.
Nirvana Adventures was started by Sanjay and Astrid Rao about 20 years ago. Before that they created a beautiful, organic space in Kamshet next to Uksan lake for people who wanted to spend time in nature, just chillaxing and called it the Native Place. They have cottages and rooms and tents and they built dorms here specifically for students of paragliding. The food provided is freshly cooked, simple and tasty.
At the entrance 
View of the lake from the Native Place
On Day 1, the training started in the afternoon with ground handling. We were taken to a large open ground and the basics of the glider such as the wing, the suspension lines and the harness were explained to us and we learnt to lift the glider in air by simply running into the wind while our feet were still on the ground. We did this for over 2 hours and by the end of it I had bruised both my upper arms bcoz of the suspension lines rubbing against my skin and had started to think this whole thing was a big mistake and that I should just give up dreaming! But on returning back to the Native place, chilling with fellow paragliders and after being treated to a hot wholesome dinner, I had renewed enthusiasm to continue the next day.
A soul in tension that’s learning to fly
Condition grounded but determined to try
Can’t keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I
– Pink Floyd
On Day 2, post breakfast we attended theory and simulation sessions. And post-lunch we were taken to a small hill site (Shinde Tekdi, 640m MSL) and from somewhere midway we learnt bunny hops. Bunny hop is actual solo flying but the focus is on learning to sit in the harness after take off and to land on your feet. We were continuously guided on the walkie-talkie by the experts. All we had to do was to be alert and follow their instructions blindly. There are no words to express how I felt during this session, I was coming closer to realizing my dream. And I was glad I hadn’t quit the previous day.
On Day 3, we started before sunrise. Breakfast was served on-site and then we had to carry our gliders, that weighed around 15 kgs, to the top of the hill. The view on top, like all hilltop views, was awesome. But we didn’t have much time to appreciate it. Since paragliding is a sport that depends on the wind, we had to make the most of the current wind conditions. So I got attached to my glider, shouted OK into my walkie-talkie and took off from the top of the hill into the rising sun. The thrill of that first solo flight is yet unmatched. And I did a perfect landing too.
And then it happened…
By the time I climbed to the top of the hill and started getting ready for my next flight, I saw one guy take off from the top. But he sat into his harness earlier than he was supposed to and hit the brakes accidentally. That stalled his glider and he got pulled by the wind across the hill. Thankfully his glider got caught in the only tree on that hill and his drifting stopped. But before he had stopped, the Nirvana team was already running behind him to help him. Luckily for him he only got a few bruises on his legs and hands. It could have been much worse!
It took me quite a while to calm my nerves and attempt my next flight. Although a bit jittery I did 2 more solo flights that morning, focusing more at the task on hand and paying extra attention to the instructions.
Unfortunately, the wind conditions were not suitable to fly in the afternoon, so we had a theory session and then we went for a walk to the serene lake, adjoining the Native Place, to watch the sun set.
Sunset at Lake Uksan
On the last day, we again left before sunrise and did a few more flights, this time learning to do the weight-shift S-turns while gliding. At the end of the session we also learnt to fold and pack the gliders. After reaching back we had to appear for a theory test and on passing that we were awarded our Elementary Pilot certificates. I felt like a schoolgirl again, receiving my elementary drawing certificate 🙂
I have loved this experience so much that I will definitely go back to complete the Club Pilot course. All credit goes to the instructors, the handlers and the equipment that Nirvana has. I can affirmatively say that Nirvana Adventures is the best school for paragliding in Kamshet. I have seen other school instructors taking help and guidance from the Nirvana team and the Nirvana team has willingly helped their competitors as they believe that safety of the flyer is paramount. My best wishes to team Nirvana.
Peace, Bliss and Happy Faces.
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Captivated by Creation 