Imagine you're at a beautiful upland vantage point, there's plenty in Pembrokeshire, on a sparkling spring day. You open the boot of your car and don flying suit and boots, then lift out your incredibly light flying machine in its carrying rucksack and trek off a few yards to where your friends are preparing to fly. After a few minutes spent inspecting your equipment you don helmet and harness, look around, allow the wind to raise the canopy and launch off into space. This is paragliding!

For most people having a tandem flight is the most accessible way to experience the joys of paragliding for the first time. It's normal to be circling in a thermal with a Red Kite at your wingtip, and stunning aerial views of the coast of Pembrokeshire and the Preseli Hills beneath you.

Once you're hooked, and you will be, you can begin to develop your new found passion. You can stick to the tandem flights or go that one bit further and begin your pilot course with the aim of flying solo.

So what kit do you need? To start with all you need is a sturdy pair of boots and clothing suitable for the mountain. A reasonable level of fitness is required, as there is usually a short hill walk to take off and of course a sense of adventure.