Aquilae – Performance Paragliding Academy is proud to play a role in the development of women’s paragliding. Noting that the proportion of women is decreasing as the level increases and time passes, Aquilae has sought to reverse this trend by participating in dedicated actions.
In introductory courses, the male/female ratio is almost balanced, at around 60/40. Paragliding and hang-gliding in general attract everyone, regardless of sex or gender. Over time, differences emerge: the average length of time a man takes out a license is 8 years, compared with 4 years for a woman. And this is reflected in the scale of progression or commitment to the sport: in competition, 10 to 15% are women, and less than 10% (6% according to recent statistics) are instructors.
This slow slide needs to be redressed. A fine news from France 3, combined with a superb video report, illustrates the concrete actions that have been put in place, with several examples:
- The organization of competitions by an all-female team, Piment d’Elles.
- Access to the top level for female pilots, in both the French Championship and the World Cup.
- The actions of the Collectif National Féminin of the Fédération Française de Vol Libre.
The CNF creates opportunities for women to meet, exchange experiences and encourage each other to progress. By creating dedicated spaces and offering specific support, it helps to normalize the presence of women in competitive paragliding and show that their participation and success is not only possible, but encouraged.
It is necessary to address the cultural and psychological barriers that can hold women back in sports traditionally dominated by men. Aquilae – Performance Paragliding Academy is working to adopt an adapted pedagogy, aimed at strengthening female pilots’ skills and self-confidence.
These initiatives have already begun to bear fruit, with a visible increase in female participation in some paragliding competitions. This commitment not only contributes to gender equality in the sport, but also enriches paragliding by adding diverse perspectives and talents, which benefits the entire sporting community.