Adrenaline filled Tandem Paragliding at Akfig Polomolok Paragliding Flysite

The message came almost instantly after I posted the photo—me grinning in a paragliding harness, suspended between earth and sky.

“Is paragliding safe?”

I smiled at my phone and typed back: “Totally? No. But it sure does have the best view of this side of the planet!”

As busy professionals, we spend our days in meetings, emails, and endless to-do lists. We navigate traffic, deadlines, and the constant hum of notifications. Sometimes, the only way to truly disconnect is to go up—way up—where the noise of daily life becomes a distant whisper carried away by the wind.

When Adventure Calls, Say Yes

When AKFIG Paragliders invited us to try tandem paragliding at Sitio AKFIG in Barangay Maligo, Polomolok, my answer was immediate: “Yes!” Why? Just look at this view.

From 2,000 feet above Barangay Maligo in Polomolok, South Cotabato, the world transforms. The stress, the worries, the mental clutter—all of it falls away as you’re cradled by the wind, supported by nothing but air and fabric, and surrounded by a panorama that reminds you just how vast and beautiful this planet is.

What Exactly Is Paragliding?

For those new to the sport, paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure of flying a lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. You sit in a harness suspended below a fabric wing made up of interconnected baffled cells. The wing shape is maintained by suspension lines, air pressure entering vents at the front of the wing, and the aerodynamic forces of air flowing over the outside.

In tandem paragliding, a passenger flies with an experienced pilot using a specially designed tandem harness and larger canopy. It’s the perfect introduction to the sport—you get all the thrill with none of the technical responsibility.

The Journey to Akfig Flysite

The paragliders of Sitio Akfig in Barangay Maligo, Polomolok, are the same skilled pilots who fly at the Maitum, Saranggani flysite. The Akfig location was first spotted and explored by paraglider Mr. Edilberto Banaag. When weather and wind conditions in Saranggani make flying impossible, the team heads to Akfig—and for good reason.

According to the pilots, Akfig’s microclimate and wind patterns are different but more conducive to all-day flying most of the time. The site is currently being developed by the group for both recreational and competitive paragliding activities.

For our tandem adventure, we were met by Mr. Banaag and his wife Mary Ann, Sarah Cartagenas (the Akfig Paragliders Facebook admin), and professional paragliders Christopher “Titoy” Romano, Carlos Montero, and Darvin Villanueva.

The flysite is about a 20-minute ride from Polomolok town proper—first through the Dole pineapple plantation, then up to the top of Akfig hill. Fair warning: you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle to reach the jump-off site. The rough road is part of the adventure, each bump building anticipation for what’s to come.

The Experience: From Takeoff to Landing

Pre-Flight: Where Nerves Meet Excitement

Standing at the edge of the launch site, watching the Akfig crew meticulously check every piece of gear, I felt that familiar cocktail of excitement and nervousness. This is the moment when your busy professional brain—trained to analyze risks and calculate outcomes—has to step aside and let your adventurous spirit take over.

The pilots inspected the harness, carabiners, and wing lines with practiced precision. Everything is pro-rated gear. One wing line alone can carry weights of up to 180 kilograms. Safety isn’t an afterthought here—it’s woven into every strap and buckle.

Takeoff: The Moment Everything Changes

Then comes the takeoff. A few running steps, the wing fills with air above you, and suddenly—you’re airborne. The ground falls away beneath your feet, and that tight knot of stress you’ve been carrying in your chest? It dissolves into the mountain air.

In Flight: Pure, Unfiltered Freedom

There’s something profoundly meditative about paragliding. Up there, suspended between heaven and earth, your mind naturally enters a state of mindfulness. You’re not thinking about your inbox or tomorrow’s presentation. You’re simply present—aware of the wind on your face, the vastness below, the quiet strength of the pilot beside you.

The view of Barangay Malibog sprawls beneath you like a living map. Pineapple plantations create geometric patterns across the landscape. The verdant mountains roll into the distance. It’s the kind of perspective that makes you realize how small our daily worries are, and yet how precious this one life is.

From the jump-off area below, the tandem paraglider looks like a graceful bird, dancing with the thermals. But inside that experience, you’re not just watching life—you’re drinking it in through every sense.

Landing: Back to Earth, But Changed

The landing is surprisingly smooth—a gentle touchdown that brings you back to solid ground. But you’re not quite the same person who took off 15 minutes earlier. Something shifts when you fly. Maybe it’s the adrenaline, or maybe it’s the reminder that you’re capable of more than you thought.

The Honest Truth: Is Paragliding Safe?

Let’s address the elephant in the room—the question everyone asks: “Is this safe?”

Paragliding, like any extreme sport, is a potentially dangerous activity. US data indicates that approximately 2 pilots die from paragliding for every 10,000 paragliders. To put that in perspective, many more people die from motorcycle accidents here in the Philippines every year.

The harness, carabiners, and wing lines are all professional-rated gear. As I mentioned, one wing line can carry up to 180 kilograms. But ultimately, safety is a function of pilot skill, training, and risk management. This is why flying with experienced, professional pilots like the Akfig team is crucial.

Who Shouldn’t Paraglide?

If you’re considering tandem paragliding, here are some factors to consider:

Fear of heights: As a passenger, this is the biggest challenge. However, many people find that the experience is different from looking down from a building—you’re moving with the air, which feels more natural.

Cardiac problems: If you have heart conditions, this adventure sport poses risks. The adrenaline rush is real.

Age: Interestingly, I’ve read that the oldest paraglider was 104 years old. Age itself isn’t necessarily a barrier, but overall health and fitness matter.

Disclaimer: As a medical professional, my advice here doesn’t constitute medical recommendation. If you have any medical conditions, consult your personal physician before tandem paragliding.

Practical Information for Your Adventure

Cost: The regular rate is ₱3,500 for 15 minutes of flight time. This includes transportation from Polomolok town proper to and from the flysite, all gear usage, and a video of your flight. Akfig often offers promos during special occasions like the Polomolok Festival.

Weather dependency: Can you fly daily at Akfig? Usually yes, depending on weather and wind patterns. We had a perfect window in the morning, but by afternoon, it rained—that’s how quickly microclimates can change. The pilots are always ready as long as you’re booked for that day.

Booking: Visit the Akfig Polomolok Paragliding Flysite Facebook page or contact the Akfig Paragliders directly:

• Edil Banaag: (0917) 712-1868
• Sarah Jane Cartagenas: (0915) 896-2494

The Journey Inward at 2,000 Feet

Here’s what I didn’t expect about paragliding: the quiet.

Yes, there’s the rush of wind and the occasional whoosh of the wing adjusting, but there’s also this profound silence. Not the absence of sound, but the absence of noise—mental noise, emotional noise, the noise of obligations and expectations.

Up there, you’re reminded that you’re both insignificant and infinitely important. A tiny speck against the vastness of mountains and sky, yet fully alive, fully present, fully yourself.

For busy professionals seeking an outlet that injects relaxation, mindfulness, and self-awareness into their lives, paragliding offers something unique. It’s not passive relaxation—it’s active presence. It demands that you show up fully, trust completely, and let go absolutely.

Why This Matters

We spend so much of our lives on autopilot, moving from task to task, checking boxes, climbing ladders. But adventures like this—they pull us out of that trance. They remind us that we’re not just productivity machines. We’re human beings capable of wonder, courage, and joy.

The question isn’t really “Is paragliding safe?” The better question is: “What am I missing by always playing it safe?”

Sometimes, the best view comes after the hardest climb—or in this case, the bravest leap.

So when adventure calls, when an opportunity to see the world from a completely different perspective presents itself, what will you say?

I hope you say yes.

Have you tried paragliding or another adventure sport that changed your perspective? What outlets do you turn to when you need to disconnect from the daily grind? Share your journey in the comments below.

Related Adventures:

• Mountain Trails of South Cotabato
• Finding Mindfulness in Extreme Sports
• The Psychology of Adventure: Why We Seek the Edge

Trail and Frame | Trails, Frames, and the Journey Inward For the busy professional seeking adventure, mindfulness, and meaning.