Cloud 9 Paragliding is based in Illogan near Redruth in west Cornwall — the only dedicated paragliding school in the far south-west. The Cornish coastline gives some of the most reliable cliff-soaring sites in the UK, with multiple orientations within a short drive and a generous prevailing south-westerly off the Atlantic.
What to expect
BHPA Elementary courses (4-5 days), Club Pilot continuation, and tandem flights from local coastal sites. Training takes place at clifftop venues along the north and west coasts — St Agnes, Perranporth Cliffs, Sennen, and the headlands near Land’s End. Cliff-soaring on a clean onshore breeze is more forgiving than mountain flying and gives ideal first-flight conditions. The instructor team has long Cornish experience.
Practical notes
April-October is the practical season; Cornwall has the longest paragliding season in the UK thanks to milder coastal weather. St Ives, Newquay, Perranporth and Penzance all offer B&B and self-catering accommodation. Most courses combine well with a beach holiday — bring family or non-flying friends; there’s plenty to do during weather windows when flying isn’t possible. Bring waterproofs and warm layers; Cornish coastal weather changes fast.
Who it suits
Cloud 9 is the only dedicated paragliding school in the far south-west, which makes it the obvious choice for learners in Cornwall and Devon. The Cornish coast's cliff sites suit beginners and coastal-soaring enthusiasts alike.
Getting there
The school is based at Illogan near Redruth in west Cornwall. Redruth and Camborne are both on the main London–Penzance line, but the coastal flying sites are spread along the cliffs, so a car or a lift from the school is needed to reach them on the day.
Quick answers
Do you need experience to start?
No. Tasters and beginner courses are made for people with no flying background, starting with ground handling on gentle slopes.
How long does it take to learn?
The Elementary stage takes a few days; an independent Club Pilot rating typically takes a season of suitable-weather days.
When is the best time of year?
Spring to autumn. Coastal soaring depends on a steady onshore wind, so courses are arranged around flyable days.
Train, parking, drive…
- Train
- Redruth (GWR mainline), then taxi (~10 min)
- Parking
- Illogan school base; school-provided to coastal sites
- Postcode
- TR16 4EA
- Drive
- ~5h from London
- Car-free?
- Possible
Transport details are best-effort and worth double-checking on the day — rural buses and station services change with the timetable.
If you’ve got an extra day…
Plan it yourself.
The most authoritative sources we know of for this site — routes, conditions, governing bodies and operators. Open in a new tab.
- BHPA British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association — qualifications and instructor accreditation.
- BHPA Sites Guide flying sites by region and recommended local clubs.
- XCWeather pilot-focused weather forecasts — wind, cloudbase, thermal index.
- RASP UK thermal soaring forecast model used by UK XC pilots.
