Kabutoiwa Lookout

Paragliding in Aoshima, Miyazaki

Visitors to this area often cock up the landing; if you are not careful, you'll break your legs getting dragged across the rocks below or slammed against the seawall. These were the words of warning our impromptu host Mr. T. offered as we set up our gliders to launch from the merely 50m high takeoff in Aoshima, Miyazaki Prefecture. The Pacific Ocean sparkled blue before us, its lazy waves rhythmically lapping the wide, washboard-textured shoals. We were mesmerized by the scenery, reluctant to accept Mr. T's words of warning. He's just trying to intimidate us, I thought as I launched lackadaisically into a steady 5m/s wind. Moments later, I was in my element, flying effortlessly through the smooth air, dancing with birds as they soared next to my glider, tempting me to move closer to the mountain slope. Back and forth along the ridge I flew, past the sprawling sightseeing visitor center to the end of the sea bluffs and back, Mr. T's cautions now but a faint memory.


Time slipped by quickly and a rainbow assortment of gliders filled the air crisscrossing back and forth along the coastline. The wind grew stronger ever so gradually and flying out over the sea, .......

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