BEGINNERS COURSE
APPI 1 & 2 Certification
LEARN TO PARAGLIDE IN 10 days in the beautiful COSTA RICAN SUMMER
Enroll for 2027 Now
BEGINNER COURSE
Our 10-day APPI 1 & 2 course is for absolute beginners or those in need of a refresher. The hands-on approach to the course will have you taking your first solo flight within the first three days.
NEXT COURSES
January 8 - 17 2027
PRICES FROM
Course Only from $2200 USD
Course and Kit Bundle from $6400 USD
Course with Rental Kit from $3200 USD (Limited availability)
Course Overview
Following the APPI curriculum for APPI 1 & 2 ratings, our 10 day course follows the protocols of the APPI system, ensuring your safety and learning style is met, all the whilst having a fun time learning with your instructor Zion and class peers. Combine this with our Costa Rican location and melow summer weather of the tropics, we believe this is the best place to learn how to paraglide
The first 3 days of the beginner course are spent learning the theory and skills for the APPI 1 certification starts off in the classroom, covering all the basics of the gear and theory that you will later use in the training field. Following the first important theory lessons, we move outside to our kiting area, a large open space great for students to practice ground handling for the first few days. Once you've mastered the basics of kiting you're ready for your first flight from the beginner site in the coastal town of Jaco. Here, the gentle ocean breeze is perfect for beginners and the large fields below leave ample room for easy landing.
From day 4 the remaining days are for learning and practising for the APPI 2 practical skills and studying for the theory exam. The final part of the course is spent flying in Dominical above the beach and jungle. This thermal-dynamic site is where you can practise your 360 turns and thermalling to learn the true essence of free flight and the beginnings of cross country.
Ask us about our course and beginner kit bundle for our best deal for you to learn to paraglide
Your Instuctor
Meet Zion, your instructor of 10-Years who will be guiding you in the air and on the ground, as you learn to fly on the beautiful South Pacific coast of Costa Rica
ZION SUSANNO
Owner and Founder of Zion Paragliding, APPI Paragliding Instructor and APPI Pro Tandem Instructor
XC and Paragliding World Cup Pilot
World Record Holder for Out and Back Distance
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Zion has been flying since the age of 15, racking up a total of 13 years flying, over 10,000 flying hours and has flown with more than 2000 passengers in tandem. Zion is a qualified instructor through APPI, which offers the highest standard of instructor training international. As an instructor and a Costa Rican, you are in the best hands when it comes to local flying knowledge combined with expertise for teaching and in-air guidance. Outside of teaching and flying tandems, Zion enjoys XC paragliding, competing and hike and fly missions - what can we say except the guy loves to fly and that’s why he’s the World record holder for the fastest ground speed on a paraglider, and longest distance and triangle in Central America.
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Owner and founder of Zion Paragliding
APPI Paragliding Instructor
APPI Pro Tandem Instructor
Number 1 ranked pilot in Costa Rica
First Aider
Bilingual in Spanish and English
Second to none local knowledge of flying sites and weather
Beginner Course Itinerary: APPI 1 & 2
The APPI curriculum has been designed with your safety in mind and to the highest international standard. Across the 10 days the course covers everything required to complete your to APPI level 1 & 2 certifications. Not sure what APPI is, discover the APPI system here.
APPI 1 Certification
Days 1-4
Start your paragliding course in the class room and then move into large open fields Jaco is home to, perfect for practising kiting and easy landings.
About Your Paragliding Equipment
How to set up for flying
Caring for your wing
Kiting the wing
Launching and landing
First short flights a few meters off the ground
On the afternoon/evening after training on Day 4 the group will move to Dominical - transport included.
APPI 2 Certification
Day 5-6:
The course moves on to Dominical, where you learn the basics of thermalling.
Daily full instructional solo flights
Beach landing with spot landing and final glide advice
Theory lessons covering wing safety, controlling the wing and basic thermalling
Day 7-10:
Still flying from Dominical take-off, it’s time to show us what you’ve learnt and demonstrate that you are ready to become a novice pilot.
Daily flights from varying launches with some guidance and tuition but always under observation – it’s time to put into practice what you’ve learnt
Advanced kiting practice with obstacle courses and additional techniques
Advanced theory on thermalling and wing safety
Paragliding theory and practical tests
Course Details
What’s Included
10 days of full tuition and classroom theory
Learn how to paraglide with an APPI Instructor and follow their international paragliding system for APPI level 1 & 2
APPI Logbook
Radio guidance in flight and for take-off and landing
Transport from meeting place every day to the take-off
Retrieve from the landing zone
Daily practical and theory lessons, and question time
End-of-day group debrief
Advice on local accommodation and organising your trip to join the course
What You Need
Paragliding equipment including certified paraglider Low EN-B rated, certified harness, reserve parachute and helmet. Purchase your beginner kit through us with our course and kit bundle deal. Enquire Now
Unlocked VHF radio – we recommend the Yaesu FT-65
Basic fitness level – the ability to sustain a 15-minute power walk
Comfortable and sturdy shoes to withstand kiting and running
Travel medical insurance covering paragliding - find out more
Who Is The 10-Day Beginner Course right For?
Adults over 18 who want to learn to paraglide in an intensive course over 10 days.
No previous experience in paragliding, air or wind sports is necessary.
People with a can do attitude and committed to show-up and learn to paraglide.
Not Included
Travel to the course
Accommodation
Transport/transfers to or from the airport
Food and drink
Course and Kit Bundle
Get in the air with our great value course and kit bundle for only $6400
Reach your full potential in your beginner course with our course and kit bundle, featuring the latest equipment and technology advancements in the sport from Gin Gliders. All the equipment in the bundle is suitable for beginners with your safety and comfort in mind. When purchasing our beginner course and kit together you save more than $2000 on the total cost of our course and kit if you were to buy it separately.
WHAT'S IN THE BUNDLE
THE COURSE
10 Day Beginners Course
$2200 Value
THE KIT
Gin Calypso 2 Paragliding Wing
Gin Gingo Airlite 5 Harness
Gin G-Lite 2 Reserve Parachute
Gin Classic Lite Rucksack or X-Lite Rucksack
Gin Buff
2 x Harness Carabiners
1 x Rescue Carabiner
Glider Inner Bag and Strap
Repair Kit
Gin Stickers
$6200 Value
We offer substitutions on the bundle kit for other beginner-friendly equipment from Gin Gliders, changes may be subject to additional cost.
More details about the selected equipment can be found at www.gingliders.com
Gin Calypso 2
Gin Airlite 5
Gin G-Wrap Buff
Gin G-Lite 2
EnROl Here
COSTA RICA BEGINNER COURSE
Enrol on our 10-day APPI 1 & 2 beginners course in Costa Rica using the form below. Not ready to reserve your space yet? Ask us any questions you have regarding the course and we’ll get back to you as soon as we’ve landed
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