Take off is located next to the telephone mast in Freehill, St. Ann. Landing is at Blenheim Glider Port. To get there, travel from Ocho Rios towards St. Ann's Bay. Before reaching the Mafisanti development, turn south up the hills. Look out for a sign indicating a right turn towards Bamboo / Freehill. This site was first flown by German paragliding pilot Claus Vischer in 2001. In 2011, a group of visiting Russian paragliding pilots also flew here. Be aware that trade winds in the area may be too strong for safe flying. For more information, visit [Paragliding Jamaica](http://paraglidingjamaica.com). Nearby tourist attractions include Ocho Rios and Dunn's River Falls.
View spotOur primary paragliding site in Jamaica is situated in Kingston, above Hope Estate, near the viewpoint on Skyline Drive. This launch point is located on a mountain ridge at 1,500 ft ASL, on the lee side of the 7,500 ft high Blue Mountains, providing shelter from the easterly trade winds. The lush vegetation results in soft thermals, typically ranging from 2-4 m/s. This site offers year-round flying opportunities with some potential for cross-country (XC) flights on favorable days. Due to the tropical climate, cloud base is generally low, between 3,000 and 4,000 ft ASL. Launch: Accessible by driving up from Papine. Note that the launch area is short and steep, making it unsuitable for beginners. Intermediate pilots are recommended due to the restricted landing field. Proficiency in reverse launching is beneficial. Landing: There are several potential landing zones (LZs) within 1 km, with a glide ratio of 4:1. The preferred LZ is the sporting oval of UTECH, which is typically reachable in a 'sled ride'. If not, there is a 'bail-out' option. Be cautious of the power line at the northern border of the LZ. Retrieval: It takes approximately 10 minutes on an asphalt road to return from the bottom to the top. Take off: The take-off point is at 1,450 ft ASL, located northeast of Kingston, about 15 minutes from town. The launch is steep and short, demanding for beginners but suitable for intermediate pilots. It is a lee side thermal site, sheltered from trade winds, and is launchable 9 out of 10 times, with a vertical drop of 750 ft. Landing: Restricted landing sites include the sporting grounds of UTECH, with bail-out options at a school yard or public park. Getting there: From Kingston, drive up by rental car or taxi from Papine, near the University of Technology (UTECH). Comments: The wind information provided below (Local Weather) regarding 'wind direction' and 'wind speed' pertains to Kingston airport and does not apply to the Skyline flying site, which is sheltered from strong trade winds by the Blue Mountains. Weather hazards: Occasionally, strong easterly trade winds may break through to the Skyline site. It is recommended not to fly under these conditions. Flight regulation: The area is not regulated, but be cautious of commercial air traffic west of Constant Spring Rd / Stony Hill when going XC. It is safer to fly north in class G airspace. People to contact: Jurgen at +1-876-3665265 or dueszeln@infochan.com Website: [Paragliding Jamaica](http://paraglidingjamaica.com) Tourism: Local attractions include beaches, surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving, mountain biking, hiking in the Blue Mountains, and the Bob Marley Museum. For more information, visit [Paragliding Jamaica](http://paraglidingjamaica.com/PGsites.htm) and watch this [video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6DvdpL68ys&feature=youtu.be).
View spotLocated at an altitude of 587 meters (approximately 2,000 feet ASL) near Malvern and Treasure Beach on Jamaica's south coast, this paragliding site offers a mix of soaring and small cross-country (XC) flights. The vertical drop is about 1,800 feet, making it an easy site with ample landing space, suitable for beginners. The beach is just 15 km away, and the local community is known for its friendliness. **Launch:** The launch site is accessible by a drive-up on a marl road, 2 km west of Malvern and 15 km north of Treasure Beach. The road is suitable for normal vehicles. The launch area features a gentle slope next to the road, making it ideal for beginners. It is a good thermaling site with XC potential and is launchable from southeast to west. **Landing:** The primary landing zone (LZ) is at 200 feet ASL at the bottom of the hill on cattle land. Farmers in the area are generally cooperative, with special thanks to Mr. F. Dunkley for offering his meadows as an LZ. When top landing, avoid vegetable plots of local farmers. **Retrieval:** Retrieval from the bottom to the top takes about 15 minutes on a direct narrow asphalt road. **Directions:** Drive to Santa Cruz and turn south at the traffic lights. Follow the road south, then turn right in Malvern. Continue until you reach a street crossing almost at the top of the mountain, then proceed through large open gate posts southwest towards the launch sites in New Malvern. **Weather Hazards:** Strong easterly trade winds can sometimes make launching impossible. **Flight Regulation:** There are no specific flight regulations, but it is appreciated if pilots inform about their activity via email: info@paraglidingjamaica.com. **Contacts:** - Jurgen: +1-876-366-5265 - Dale: +1-876-361-3136 **Parking:** - At takeoff: Marl road (GPS: 17.9692 N, 77.7161 W) - At landing: Main road to Mountainside (GPS: 17.9629 N, 77.7311 W) **Tourism:** For more information about the area, visit the Treasure Beach website: [Treasure Beach Guide](http://www.treasurebeach.net/guide/). **Videos:** - [Paragliding in Jamaica](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4MBH2IJg28) - [Additional Footage](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFV9vVAMvLg&feature=digest) - [Another Video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9xCC8ThBtI&feature=digest) For more details, visit the official website: [Paragliding Jamaica](http://paraglidingjamaica.com).
View spotLocated in the cool hills of Manchester, Jamaica, this paragliding site offers a unique flying experience. The launch point is at 2,600 feet above sea level (ASL) and requires a drive up with a heavy 4x4 vehicle. The launch faces south-southeast and can be exposed to strong trade winds, so pilots should be prepared for varying wind conditions. The site was first flown in July 2012 and has a vertical drop of 1,300 feet. The highest recorded flight distance from this site is 2.2 km. Due to its relatively new status, further exploration is needed to fully understand its potential. Landing options are available at the bottom of the hill at 1,300 feet ASL. In light wind conditions, the Kirkvine Sports Club is the best landing option. However, pilots must be cautious of high tension wires that span across 200 feet below the launch area. Retrieval from the landing zone takes approximately 30 minutes on a rough road, so plan accordingly. For more detailed information, visit [Paragliding Jamaica](http://paraglidingjamaica.com/PGsites.htm) and check out this [video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3QJcYvflA8&feature=youtu.be) for a visual overview of the site.
View spotLocated in Manchester, Jamaica, this paragliding site sits at an elevation of 2,100 feet above sea level with a vertical drop of 1,000 feet. It is a relatively new site, first flown in October 2012, and is best suited for thermal flights in light westerly wind conditions. The site is rarely used and requires further exploration. To access the launch area, you will need a heavy 4x4 vehicle. The launch itself is a grassy slope accessible from a farm road and faces southwest. It is important to note that the site is not flyable on days with easterly trade winds due to tailwind conditions. The landing zone is a large area at the bottom of the hill, situated at 1,000 feet above sea level. This landing zone is not visible from the launch site. Retrieval from the landing zone takes approximately 20 minutes with a 4x4 vehicle. For more details, you can visit [Paragliding Jamaica](http://paraglidingjamaica.com/PGsites.htm) and watch a video of the site [here](http://vimeo.com/52518834).
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