Sport

Paragliding
Paarl Rock

Winelands, Western Cape

Today

Flyable2 starsFlyable

309m soarable · 13 km/h SSE

FlyableStudent safeWind dirNo fogNo rain

Best window this week

Thu 10 · 11h00 · 👍 2 stars · 794m tops

Soarable tops — 7-day

Reference lines show historical 75th and 95th percentile for Paarl Rock.

p75 1381mp95 1818m1178mWed 9794mThu 10309mFri 11309mSat 12994mSun 13262mMon 14712mTue 151520mWed 16
p75 — typical flyable dayp95 — exceptional dayBar height = soarable tops (hwcrit)
Detailed forecast table
TimeStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)Student
Wed 9ClearStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)Student
08h3094 NW4 NW4 NW3170.00%79%16.913.801019
11h1,02613 NNE19 NNW31 NNW13692.00%96%26.11301019
14h1,17811 WNW17 NNW33 NNW15332.00%98%27.114.601017
17h48322 SW24 WSW22 WSW5651.00%98%21.615.301016
Thu 10ClearStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)Student
08h3096 W4 W4 W3170.00%17%13.11301020
11h👍7944 NE2 NE0 NNW10572.054%66%19.613.601021
14h88419 SW13 SW2 NE11472.00%72%21.213.401020
17h48324 SW26 SSW28 SSW5741.00%37%17.212.401020
Fri 11ClearStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)Student
08h👍30913 SSE13 SSE13 SSE3170.00%66%15.111.501021
11h85824 SSE22 SE11 E11152.00%96%20.711.401020
14h97428 SSE28 SE17 E12492.00%98%22.512.501017
17h48328 SSE37 SSE35 SE7441.00%95%19.212.701016
Sat 12ClearStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)Student
08h👍30917 SSE15 SSE15 SSE3170.00%22%16.712.101015
11h89119 SE43 SE46 SE12452.00%70%23.513.701015
14h88928 SE52 SE56 ESE12542.00%54%22.414.501013
17h👍30917 SE17 SE17 SE3170.00%20%19.614.301012
Sun 13ClearStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)Student
08h2624 WNW4 WNW6 NW3180.00%88%17.912.801014
11h80022 N24 N28 N11102.00%94%24.212.501014
14h99433 NNW31 NNW22 N13692.00%83%26.19.101011
17h26220 NNW24 NNW31 NNW7231.00%62%22.89.801010
Mon 14🌧 RainStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)Student
08h26220 N24 NNW31 NNW4010.081%18%13.311.9111014
11h64843 NNW52 NNW61 NNW11241.0100%35%15.910.711012
14h26241 NNW50 NNW57 NNW9361.0100%16%15.711.111011
17h26235 NNW43 NNW48 NNW7191.0100%9%1511.811011
Tue 15ClearStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)Student
08h26219 NNW24 NNW31 NNW4010.095%12%13.712.50
11h63944 NW56 NW67 NW8732.090%97%16.212.70
14h71244 NW56 NW65 NW10582.0100%44%16.612.30
17h26233 NNW41 NW50 NW7591.099%13%15120
Wed 16ClearStarsTops (m)Sfc WindBL WindBL TopBL Ht (m)Thermal (m/s)BL Cloud %Sun %Temp (°C)Dewpt (°C)Rain (mm)Pres (hPa)Student
08h31720 SSE28 SSE35 SSE6091.00%90%113.80
11h1,52022 S28 S24 SSE20073.051%97%13.610
14h1,70724 S28 S24 SSE21993.032%97%14.90.60
17h1,24026 S30 SSE26 SSE17192.020%93%14.21.90

An unusual site — a large granite outcrop forming its own small mountain, with strong summer thermals and a tricky inversion layer a few hundred metres above launch that makes crossing the valley difficult.

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Hazards & cautions

In a forecast strong southeasterly, the site sits in wind-shadow (a similar dynamic to Lion's Head) with few wind indicators to warn of it breaking down. In a northeasterly, expect extreme lift and sink as air spills off the mountains to the east in a berg-wind pattern.

Launch & landing

Launch from the secondary (lower) peak above the eastern car park, on bare granite — about 300m above the base (450m ASL, 1200m ceiling). The nearest school fields make for tight landings; a larger school complex further southeast has ample grass but needs permission and isn't available during school sport.

Access

Via the N1 to Paarl, then into the Paarl Nature Reserve, following the road up to the car park behind the smaller Paarl Rock outcrop.

Flying conditions

Wind recommendation

SE - NE, NW

Flyable directions

NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE

Wind speed range

0–18 km/h

Student site

No

Quick facts

Grade
Sport
Region
Winelands
Distance from Cape Town
53 km (straight-line)
Coordinates
-33.7400°S, 18.9502°E
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Want to train at a site like this?

See Beginner Course

Ready to fly?

Your first solo flight is three sessions away. The beginner course is available year-round — gear, sites, and SAHPA registration all included.

Or call +27 78 095 8136