Paragliding takes off at Chinese university

SHENYANG — A group of girls from Shenyang Aerospace University in Liaoning province have started to enjoy soaring through the sky while paragliding, which has become an indispensable part of their lives.

Paragliding is an adventure sport where participants jump off a hill or out of a plane and use a parachute to fly for long distances.

There are now 50 members of the paragliding team at the university, including 20 girls from different majors and grades.

The unique sport has many challenges for the girls.

Before takeoff, the paragliders need to do a warm-up and then climb mountains for about half an hour, carrying the parachute and other equipment which can weigh up to 30 kilograms.

Hou Xiaojuan, the first female member of the paragliding team at Shenyang Aerospace University, says that she has been in the team for about two years.

“Flying is my dream. After I learned about the sport of paragliding, I wanted to try it and start learning and training,” Hou says.

Ma Yixin, another girl from the university’s paragliding team, says: “When I made a paragliding flight for the first time I was so surprised and astonished. I saw the earth, I saw the trees, and I saw the birds flying with me. It gave me a completely different feeling. I felt so free and excited.”

Qin Shaorui, the captain of the university’s paragliding team, says that the sport was introduced in the university in 2015.

Paragliding was first developed in Europe and does not have a very long history in China, according to Qin, who says she believes the sport “has a bright future”.

According to the girls, paragliding not only gives them a chance to enjoy floating and freedom, but also teaches them how to respect and revere life, as a successful flight includes a safe landing as well as good takeoff.