A paragliding week that follows the forecast
The XC & Coastal Combo is the most adaptable programme in the lineup. Each morning Behrooz reads the full synoptic forecast — RASP thermal models, wind layers, cloud-base prediction — and decides where you fly. When the Nortada fills in and the Atlantic ridge is firing, you're at Sesimbra, soaring the coastal lift above the Arrábida cliffs and white-sand beaches. When the thermal day looks strong inland, you drive into the Alentejo plains, the Serra da Estrela uplift, or — on good southerly weeks — across into Andalusia for serious cross-country distance.
The split varies naturally across the week. A typical Combo might be four coastal days and three XC days, or three and four — there's no fixed schedule. The forecast decides. That flexibility is exactly why pilots who've been before tend to choose the Combo: two completely different flying experiences, and you always fly in the best conditions available that day.
Behrooz flies with you on XC days — either alongside you in the air, or tracking from the next thermal ahead, giving radio calls on climb rates and routing. On coastal days the format mirrors the Coastal Soaring Week: daily site briefing, radio support on every flight, and individual debrief at the end of each day. The group is kept to a maximum of 5 pilots — smaller than the coastal-only week — to ensure XC coaching stays focused and every pilot gets real radio time.
What's included
- Daily forecast analysis & site selection
- Radio support every pilot, every flight
- XC task planning on thermal days
- Live track-log monitoring on XC days
- Evening track-log analysis & debrief
- Private transfer to every launch, daily
- Launch & ground-handling coaching
- Video & photos of your flying days
- Coastal sites: Sesimbra, Arrábida, Atlantic
- Bad-weather backup site every day
Before you come
The Combo week covers both coastal and XC flying — prepare for both before you travel.
Licence & IPPI card
Bring your national licence or IPPI card. Portuguese air law requires licensed pilots to carry proof of qualification at all times. A photo on your phone is acceptable.
Glider & reserve check
Full glider check and reserve repack before you travel — especially important for the XC days. Behrooz will ask about both on arrival. If your reserve is overdue, bring it and he'll pack it during the week.
GPS variometer
Required for the XC days. If you don't have one, let Behrooz know in advance. A basic GPS vario paired to XCTrack covers everything needed for the daily tasks.
Radio
Behrooz provides radios for every pilot. If you have your own handheld, bring it — it saves setup time. Coastal days use the same frequency as XC days, so one radio covers the whole week.
Travel insurance
Standard travel insurance won't cover paragliding. Get a policy that explicitly includes it — check it covers both coastal ridge soaring and XC cross-country flying. Most national paragliding associations offer suitable policies.
Getting here
Fly into Lisbon (LIS) — Sesimbra is 45 minutes from the airport. Behrooz can arrange an airport transfer; ask when you confirm your dates. No rental car needed at any point during the week.
Do I need XC experience for the combo programme?
A B-licence or equivalent and some previous thermal experience is recommended. You don't need to be an experienced XC pilot — but you should be comfortable in broken thermals and happy flying in wind. Behrooz will confirm your level is suited before the programme starts.
How many XC days versus coastal days can I expect?
It depends on the forecast during your week. A typical split is three or four coastal days and two or three XC days, but Behrooz reads the weather daily and picks the best option. The programme is designed to give you the best paragliding available in Portugal at any given time.
Which inland sites are used for the XC days?
Mainly the Alentejo plains to the south and east of Sesimbra — flat enough for long glides, strong enough for proper thermals from April onwards. Serra da Estrela and northern Portugal are used when conditions push further inland. Outlanding retrieval is always included.
Is transport and retrieval included on both coastal and XC days?
Yes — private transfer from your accommodation to the launch is included every day, whether you're flying coastal or inland. On XC days, full outlanding retrieval is always covered. You arrive in Lisbon and Behrooz handles everything from there. No rental car is needed at any point.
What's the ideal time of year for the XC and Coastal Combo?
April through June and September through October are the sweet spot — both disciplines are at their best simultaneously. Spring brings high cloudbase and strong coastal lift; autumn delivers punchy thermals and long, settled soaring days. July and August work well for the coastal component but the inland thermal window is typically limited to morning flights only.