Southern Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club

About Southern Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club

All are welcome to join the Southern Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club, a welcoming community dedicated to the exhilarating sports of hang gliding and paragliding. Our club fosters a passion for flight among enthusiasts of all levels, providing opportunities to connect with fellow pilots in the breathtaking outdoors of New Zealand. With a strong emphasis on shared experiences, members enjoy access to dedicated flying areas that highlight the freedom and adventure of these aerial pursuits. The club's vibrant scene includes over 300 actively flying members, supported by four commercial tandem operators and three flying schools, ensuring a supportive environment for everyone interested in paragliding and hang gliding.

About Queenstown, Otago

Queenstown in the Otago region, part of the Queenstown-Lakes district, has a rich history tied to the evolution of paragliding and hang gliding. Paragliders first began flying from the ridge above what is now ‘Pub Corner’ in the late 1980s. Pioneers like Richard van Nieuwkoop and Paul Aubrey were among the first to explore Treble Cone, establishing the ‘Air Action’ paragliding school in 1990, which later became ‘Wanaka Paragliding’ and operated until 2017. This early spirit of exploration laid the foundation for the club's deep connection to the area.

Through the early 2000s, Queenstown’s tourist boom transformed the landscape, leading to the development of the commercial airport and restricting airspace for paragliders and hang gliders. The carefree days of climbing and launching from spots like The Remarkables in the Wakatipu Basin ended, prompting a shift to more structured sites. By 2017, the primary flying areas in the region were the three dedicated zones in the Wakatipu Basin—primarily the Gondola “Skyline” and Coronet Peak—along with Treble Cone just west of Wanaka. Mark Hardman contributed to the early development of Cardrona during this time.

The club's ties to the region strengthened further in 2017, when, after a several-year hiatus, paraglider pilots regained access to New Zealand ski field lift services through the winter season. This allowed flights from the snowy summit of Coronet Peak, blending the thrill of paragliding with the unique alpine terrain of Otago. Today, these historic and modern sites continue to draw pilots to Queenstown, embodying the enduring legacy of flight in this dynamic outdoor haven.