Understanding your paraglider: jargon buster

From mini-ribs to Brummel hooks, Bastienne Wentzel deconstructs the paraglider and explains the jargon.

The main parts of a paraglider can be seen in the photo below:

1. TRAILING EDGE: Where the air flows together again and the brake lines are attached.
2. BRAKE REEFING: How the brake lines are attached to multiple points on the trailing edge through loops and rings for better handling.
3. RODS: Plastic or metal sticks that ensure the perfect shape of the aerofoil, from the leading edge sometimes all the way over the top.
4. STABILO or stabiliser panel is the last cell at the tips. It influences the tip vortices and the stability of the canopy in flight.
5. HARNESS: A comfortable seat made of strong webbing padded with cloth and filled with side and back protection.
6. RISERS: Where the lines come together and connect to the harness.  Made of strong, often colour-coded nylon or Dyneema webbing.
7. LINES: Carry your weight and...