Wingovers are flown by both acro pilots and casual intermediate pilots. They are one of the main entry level tricks into acro paragliding. While wingovers are relatively easy to learn, they can be surprisingly difficult to truly master.
A wingover is recognised by large, dynamic turns flown alternately from left to right. When performed well, the pilot will rise very high above the glider, sometimes coming close to being vertically above it.
Even though wingovers look easy and innocent, they can cause serious problems if the timing is wrong. At the same time, they are extremely versatile and a lot of fun to perform. If you arrive high over the landing after a good flight, wingovers are a playful and effective way to lose altitude. While soaring, they can also be flown close to the ground, where you really feel the speed of the glider. These low, fast versions are often called “waggas.” While not technically wingovers, they look similar but are flown slightly differently.
To perform a wingover, starting to the right, the pilot shifts their weight to the right and applies brake input on the right side. As energy begins to build, the pilot then smoothly transitions to the opposite side by shifting their weight left and braking left. As the glider passes through the turn, the pilot again moves their body and brake input to the opposite side, continuing the rhythm from turn to turn.
To exit a wingover, one option is to stop all inputs once you pass under the glider. Like this, you will start to climb quite high and the glider will be almost horizontally behind you, this will cause the wing to shoot forward aggressively, and must be actively stopped. While this exit works, it requires precise control and good timing. A safer and more controlled option is to continue pulling after the wingover input and smoothly transition into a spiral dive. From there, the spiral can be exited gradually, allowing the glider to recover in a controlled way.
Once more energy is built and the pilot begins to climb higher (usually after two or three turns), several key points become very important:
- Always aim to pass straight under the glider after each turn.
This is achieved by counter-weight shifting when you are above the glider and using opposite brake to correct your position. - Weight shift must match your brake input.
The moment you initiate a turn, your weight shift should go to the same side. This greatly helps increase the height and quality of the wingover. - Brake the outside wing when you are above the glider.
This input does not need to be strong, just enough to keep pressure in the wing and prevent a collapse. - Timing the pull is critical.
The strongest pull should happen when you are directly under the glider. If you pull too late, you may climb very high, but once above the glider you will lose a lot of energy and risk falling into the lines. Because this timing is difficult to master, a safer approach is to pull slightly before you are directly under the glider. This results in lower, less perfect wingovers, but it keeps more pressure in the wing and is much safer. From there, you can gradually adjust your timing later and later as your control improves.