Prea Jain is from Mumbai, India. The idea of having her own wings to fly is what got her first interested in the sport. Now, she is an independent paragliding pilot.
For Prea, paragliding is a form of meditation. Soaring with the birds and feeling oneness with her glider are her favourite moments while flying. Prea loves how "paragliding keeps me grounded, though only metaphorically :)"
AP Quick 5-
1. The first place you paraglided - Kamshet, Maharashtra
2. Your go-to place for paragliding in India-
Bir Billing, Himachal
3. Your dream destination in the world - Mozambique in southern Africa
4. Your favourite Instagram account related to the sport - eliotnochez
5. A book/movie on the sport that you love -
Lift - Paragliding by Timothy and Anthony Green
AP: What got you first interested in the sport?
Prea: The idea of having your own wings to fly.
AP: How did you start out? What was your first experience like?
Prea: I came across P1 - a 3-day paragliding course - in Kamshet. I'll be honest, the initial days were overwhelming. It takes time, energy and a lot of bruises to just be mentally present. And takes a lot more, to connect with your glider, truly understand it and be aware in each passing moment. By the end of the third day I had, for a very brief moment, tasted freedom. An insatiable desire had set in. I extended my stay and did the 10-day P3 course. This is how my flying journey started...
AP: What changed in your life after you started paragliding?
Prea: Paragliding has always kept me grounded - only metaphorically ;) The sport demands so much of you, mentally and physically, and each time throws a new challenge at you. Getting out of your comfort zone, pushing your limits and trying to stay calm in the most distressful situations. You need to be one with your wing, and everything around you - and this is a form of meditation in itself.
AP: Who do you usually go paragliding with? Prea: Friends and Club Pilots
AP: What are some of you favourite moments while playing the sport?
Prea: Running off the mountain slope with trust and confidence on my glider. Soaring with birds. Looking up at my glider in-flight, feeling nothing but gratitude.
AP: Any good stories to share?
Prea: In April 2021, it was a late evening flight in Bir. As the red fireball was setting in the infinite West, the yellow - red rays scattered around it. To complement these warm colours, the East landscape was snow-covered mountain ranges against the purple-pink spectrum of the sky. I felt absolutely blessed to witness the panoramic sunset.
AP: Till when in the future do you see yourself paragliding?
Prea: Why should there be an end date?
AP: What would be some advice you’d give someone who’s just starting out?
Prea: Be patient, and dedicated. The calmer your mind is, the faster you progress.
Follow Prea's paragliding adventures on Instagram at @preaaaaaa
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