Above is Judith Zweifel performing the advanced maneuver called infinite tumbles.
Unlike other common airfoils the shape of the canopy can be changed mid flight, opening up a whole world of aerodynamic potential.



Lift can be explained by a phenomenon best known as Bernoulli's Principle.
 Velocity of the air moving around the airfoil is inversely related to the pressure on the foil.
Another way to think of it is water in a pipe. As the diameter of the pipe decreases (pressure), the velocity increases.
In the example above, the pressure is greater under the foil since the air is moving less quickly than the air above the foil. This combination of forces is called lift.
When lift forces overcome the drag forces and downward force of gravity, we have flight!
(http://www.aviation-history.com/theory/force.htm)

Bernoulli's Principle can be described by the equation below:

© HyperPhysics 2014  


© Eagle Paragliding 2012  
Each wing has a optimum angle of attack that it is manufactured to fly at. Minimum sink is the point where the glider is descending at the lowest rate possible.


© Paul Amiell
Paragliders are able to stay aloft for long periods of time by flying in areas of lift. Two sources of lift are thermal lift and lift from wind hitting a steep cliff.
Thermal lift is caused by warm air rising off ground or water heated by the sun.