Cross-country flying is one of the most thrilling parts of paragliding. Flying long distances, catching the best thermals, and soaring through the sky is a unique experience that many pilots dream of mastering.
But how can one progress efficiently and safely in XC? At Niviuk, we’ve gathered the best tips to help you improve your technique, performance, and confidence in distance flying.
1. Define a clear goal
One of the most common mistakes among those starting XC is taking off without a clear idea of what they want to achieve during that flight. Flying with a purpose allows you to better evaluate personal progress and learn from each experience.
Having a defined goal – such as completing an FAI triangle, covering a certain distance, or following a specific route – not only guides your decisions in flight but also helps maintain focus and motivation when conditions become tricky or unpredictable.
→ NK Tip: plan your flights in advance with your favourite app to visualise the route, mark key points, and then track your progress in real-time.
2. Learn to read the conditions
Understanding the characteristics of thermals and their relationship to the terrain is one of the most valuable skills when flying long distances. Shadows and wind patterns throughout the day provide clues about where the energy that will keep you in the air may be generated.
You can use the terrain to your advantage: ridges, valleys, sun-facing slopes… Local knowledge is key, but so is the ability to interpret the terrain from the air. A good XC pilot reads the geography like it’s a map of opportunities.
→ NK Tip: before taking off, spend time observing and analysing the surroundings to anticipate where you might find the best thermals.
3. Improve your technique
Intuition is a great ally, but it can’t replace skills. Mastering the art of centring in thermals accurately can make the difference between reaching cloudbase or landing prematurely. And we all know the best time to walk back… is when you’ve landed voluntarily and not because you went down.
A very effective manoeuvre when entering a thermal is making a controlled direction change: first, shift slightly to one side of the thermal to identify the edge of the core, then begin the turn in the opposite direction, generating a small swing similar to a mini-wingover. This gives energy to the wing and makes for a more stable entry into the lift.
→ NK Tip: practise with specific goals, such as staying centred in the core for 5 minutes, and analyse your tracks after the flight to find out what worked and what can be improved.
4. Be patient and persistent
In XC, attitude and patience are as important as technique. Not every day will yield long flights, but you can learn and improve with every take off. Obsessing over flying faster or being ahead of other pilots can lead to mistakes.
Leaving a weak thermal just to keep advancing may seem tempting, but gaining a few extra metres will give you access to new options, more safety, and greater opportunity for decision-making.
Every long flight includes uncomfortable moments: turbulence, wind or broken thermals. As long as they are not dangerous, keeping calm and setting small, achievable goals – such as climbing a few more metres or holding on for a few more minutes – can help you get through a tough patch and continue with confidence.
→ NK Tip: if you ever doubt between advancing or climbing… choose to climb. Altitude will always give you more opportunities and safety.
