Liz Dengler
Photo: Gary Waterman

Paragliding: (Not) like riding a bike

6 September, 2024, by Liz Dengler

In March 2023, I injured my knee while speedriding in France. If you want to get technical, my wing was balled-up in my hand while skiing to a suitable launch. I turned and stuffed a ski tip into the soft side of a mogul, but the frozen top prevented the ski from popping back out.

I fell in slow motion (read: sat down), my leg twisted, my boot failed to release from my binding, something popped, and I punched the snow in frustration. I knew I’d just messed up my knee two weeks into a month-long trip.

Fortunately, on a speedriding trip, you can still play every day if you just stick to the flying bit and don’t make turns on your skis. With a wing, I could just point it, huck, fly, and land – no turns or knee stress needed.

Back home, I faced the dreaded MRI, which confirmed a massive bone bruise and a torn ACL, which would require surgery. Recovery would be at least six months, but the doctors assured me it would...

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