The packing question for a paragliding trip is different from a normal holiday — there's more gear, more to forget, and more consequences if something important is missing. This checklist covers everything you need for a week in Sesimbra: the equipment, the clothing, the documents, and the things that Behrooz already provides on the ground so you don't carry them twice.
Your Paragliding Equipment
The non-negotiables. These are the items you must bring; none of them can be borrowed or sourced locally with any reliability.
Wing
Bring the wing you're currently endorsed to fly. Portugal's coastal flying is predominantly ridge soaring — steady, consistent, accessible to EN-B pilots and above. If you're joining a Coastal Soaring Week, an EN-B in the mid-to-high range is ideal. If you're on a Cross-Country Week, your EN-C or competition wing is appropriate. The coastal conditions here are not the place to fly a wing you're unfamiliar with.
Check your wing is in annual inspection before travelling. Portugal doesn't require a certification document on the launch, but you should know your wing's status, and Behrooz will ask. If your wing is due for inspection, get it done before the trip.
Harness
Bring yours. Borrowed harnesses never fit perfectly, and at a coastal site where you may be launching and landing multiple times a day, discomfort compounds. If your harness has a built-in back protection board or air bag, make sure it's seated correctly before you pack.
Reserve parachute
Check the reserve repack date. Most manufacturers recommend a repack every 12 months; many national federations require it for legal coverage to remain valid. If your reserve is past its repack date, get it repacked before travelling — this is not something that can wait until after the trip. Bring the reserve certification document if your federation requires it.
Helmet
A full-face helmet is preferred for coastal soaring and XC flying; an open-face is acceptable at low-altitude ridge sites but offers less protection in a tumble on rough terrain. Bring what you normally fly with. Bring a spare chin strap if yours is old.
Instruments
Behrooz provides radios (446 MHz PMR) for all programme participants. You don't need to bring a radio. Everything else is yours to decide.
Variometer / GPS
A GPS vario is essential for XC flying and useful for coastal soaring. Popular models among pilots visiting Sesimbra include the Skytraxx 3.0 and 5.0, the Naviter Oudie, and the XCTracer Maxx. Bring the USB cable and charger for yours — power cuts happen and a flat vario on day two is frustrating. If you use a phone app (XCTrack, Flyskyhy) as a backup, make sure the mount fits your harness's phone/instrument pocket.
Speed bar
Check that your harness's speed bar connection is clean and the pulley is free. Replace the speed bar cord if it's frayed. This is the kind of small maintenance task that's easy to defer and annoying to discover on launch.
Carabiners
Bring a spare pair. Carabiner failure is rare but the cost of carrying spares is negligible. Confirm your maillons are closed and locked if you use them.
Clothing for the Portuguese Coast
The flying conditions here — predominantly ridge soaring at 200–500m MSL in steady sea breeze — don't require the same layering strategy as alpine XC flying. You will not be at altitude in cold air. You will be in wind. The distinctions matter.
Base layer
A moisture-wicking synthetic or merino base layer is worth wearing under your flying suit or softshell. In summer the ambient temperature is warm but the constant 20–30 km/h sea breeze makes prolonged sessions feel cooler than the thermometer suggests. A light base layer makes the difference between comfortable and chilly after the first two hours aloft.
Mid layer and outer shell
A windproof softshell or technical fleece is usually enough for June to September. In spring and autumn, a light insulated jacket under a windproof shell is appropriate. There is no need for down jackets or heavyweight winter gear at this latitude. A light waterproof layer (packable, not bulky) is worth bringing — coastal mornings sometimes start overcast and a dry layer for the van ride to the site is welcome.
Gloves
Lightweight windproof gloves for extended flying. Fingerless gloves work for summer; full gloves for shoulder seasons. Bring both if you're unsure.
Sun protection
High-altitude UV is a serious issue that ridge-soaring pilots underestimate. You're in the sun, often with the sun reflecting off the sea below you, for two to four hours at a time. SPF 50+ for face and neck, UV-blocking sunglasses (polarised for coastal flying), and a buff or neck gaiter to cover the gap between your helmet and collar. Sunburn on day one of seven is not a pleasant way to start a flying holiday.
Footwear
Sturdy ankle boots or high-top trail shoes for launching — the launch areas here are dry and grassy but have uneven edges and loose stones. Low trail shoes work on the landing beach. Bring a pair of sandals or light shoes for the evenings in town. Don't try to launch in sandals or flip-flops.
Casual clothing
Sesimbra is a beach town. Smart-casual for evenings is the standard. Shorts and a linen shirt covers most restaurant scenarios. The town is very relaxed about dress.
Documents to Bring
This is the category most often under-packed by pilots who've been flying for years and assume everything is fine without checking.
| Document | Notes | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Passport / ID | Valid for your entire stay plus 3 months | Always |
| Pilot licence / card | Your national federation's current card (DHV, BHPA, SHV, USHPA, FFVL, etc.) | Always |
| Federation insurance certificate | Proof of third-party liability — digital copy on phone is accepted | Always |
| IPPI / CIVL card | Useful internationally; not legally required in Portugal but good to have | Recommended |
| Reserve inspection record | Date and inspector of last repack | Recommended |
| Wing certification document | EN test report — rarely checked but useful if asked | Optional |
| Travel insurance documents | Including emergency contact number and policy number | Always |
| European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC) | UK/EU citizens — covers state healthcare costs | Bring if you have one |
Camera Equipment
The Sesimbra coast is one of the most photogenic flying areas in Europe. A helmet-mounted camera is one of the best investments you can make for a trip here.
- Action camera (GoPro, Insta360) — helmet chin or top mount, checked that it's secure before launch
- Helmet mount — confirm it's compatible with your specific helmet model before travelling
- Spare batteries and a multiport charger — action cameras drain fast; bring at least two spares per camera
- Memory cards — 128 GB minimum; 256 GB for a full week if you shoot 4K throughout
- Harness chest strap mount — useful for a second angle or as a backup
Bring an international power adapter (Portugal uses EU Type F sockets). The voltage is 230V / 50Hz — this is compatible with all modern electronics without a converter, only a physical plug adapter is needed.
What Behrooz Provides
Radios — 446 MHz PMR handsets for all group members. Ground handling equipment — available on request for practice days. Site transfers — van transport to and from all launch and landing areas throughout the week. Daily briefings — weather analysis, site decision, and flight planning each morning. Track log analysis — Behrooz reviews your IGC files and gives structured feedback. You do not need to bring a radio, site maps, or local weather subscriptions.
What to Buy Locally
Sesimbra's town centre has a pharmacy, a supermarket, and a small sports shop. Sunscreen, water, snacks, and basic first aid supplies are all available within 5 minutes of the waterfront. For larger paragliding-specific items — if something breaks and needs replacing — the nearest specialist sports retailer is Decathlon in Setúbal, about 20 minutes by car. They stock a limited range of outdoor and sports equipment. For specialist paragliding parts, the nearest dedicated shop is in Lisbon (approximately 45 minutes). This reinforces the point about checking your equipment before the trip: don't assume you can source a specific maillons, reserve bridle, or harness repair locally.