Soaring Like a Bird: Tony’s Adapted Paragliding Experience
A few accessible adventure activities on the island
In May 2024, a dream came true for our holiday guest Tony, aged 61, from Milton Keynes in the UK. Although he relies on a wheelchair and can walk only with great difficulty, he recently experienced what it’s like to paraglide over Lanzarote’s stunning terrain.
Tony’s expectations were modest
He came to visit Lanzarote to enjoy the sun, the beaches, and the lava fields. Having heard of LanzAbility, he looked forward to a few accessible adventure activities on the island, but nothing too crazy. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine soaring above Lanzarote's breathtaking volcanic landscapes in a paraglider.
LanzAbility x Lava Fly
Meet our accessible paragliding partner
We’re continuously seeking accessible experience providers to collaborate with for our holiday guests. Paragliding doesn't necessarily require extensive physical exertion. Once seated in the harness and assisted with take-off, only minimal physical effort is required, making it accessible to those with mobility impairments.
Lava Fly has implemented various adaptations such as specialised harnesses and safety measures to ensure a safe and enjoyable flight. As you know, safety is always our top priority for everything we do.
Out of the wheelchair and into the adapted paraglider harness
The LanzAbility team took Tony to the meeting point at the summit of a volcano in time for his 30-minute sunset flight. With assistance from the Lava Fly team, Tony transitioned from his wheelchair into specialised gear for the paragliding flight and received instructions about the safety measures and the flight itself. Tony still seemed a little nervous at first but gained full trust in his experienced guide who told him to sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight of a lifetime.
3, 2, 1 and off they flew
All we could see from the volcano top was a beautiful image of Tony and his guide taking to the skies like a bird, off into the sunset. A GoPro camera on the paraglider recorded the entire experience, including the expression on Tony’s face while soaring over the stunning volcanic landscapes below.
A dream come true
“This was beyond anything I could have imagined,” Tony shared after he landed safely on solid ground and was assisted back into his wheelchair. “I felt so free! What an incredible experience!”
These words are motivation enough for us at LanzAbility to continue our mission of making Lanzarote accessible to everyone. Tony will never forget this day in his life. He’ll relive these emotions over and over again when he shares his paragliding experience with his loved ones or remembers it when he sees a paraglider in the sky. Click here to see the full video.
And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Filling our lives with moments of joy.
