Fiestas on Tenerife – FLYPA 2009

A great add-on to the fiestas of the cross, the international paragliding festival is a spectacular aerial extravaganza and great fun. Hard hats are recommended at the ‘futuro Parque Marítimo’ in Puerto de la Cruz (i.e. the car park at the harbour) and Playa Socorro in Los Realejos as it literally rains men (and women) from the skies. Be careful if parking at the car park in Puerto. Last year I nearly ran over a paraglider who almost landed on the bonnet of the car…it’s not really good form to kill one of the participants.

However it’s not all about paragliding; with concerts, beach parties and air displays from the Spanish Air Army, the holiday weekend is jam packed with activities.

If it’s anything like last year’s event, it’s going to be a fantastic weekend.

Dates: It starts on the 29th April, but public events are from 30th April – 3rd May

Main events and times:

30th April
10:00 – 18:30: Paragliding and paramotor tandem
12:00: Take off and show of the professional teams (acrobatics, paramotor and BASE jump).
13:00: Aerial exhibition of the Ala 46 F–18 planes patrol of the Spanish Aerial Army.
17:00: Take off and show of the professional teams (acrobatics, paramotor and BASE jump).
1st May
10:00 – 18:30: Paragliding and paramotor tandem flights.
12:00: Take off and show of the professional teams (acrobatics, paramotor and BASE jump).
13:00: Sardinada: Big sardine grill-fest on El Socorro Beach.
17:00: Take off and show of the professional teams (acrobatics, paramotor and BASE jump).
21:00: 1st FLYPA’09 Concert. 40 Principales Party in Los Realejos

2nd May
10:00 – 18:30: Paragliding and paramotor tandem flights
12:00: Take off and show of the professional teams (acrobatics, paramotor and BASE jump).
13:00: Aerial show of the Parachuting Acrobatics Patrol of the Spanish Army (PAPEA) and BASE jump from the aircraft. Landing in El Socorro Beach.
19:30: Big Paella and 2nd FLYPA’09 Concert. Afterwards, performance of the Epsylon Group in El Socorro Beach.
22:00: Paramotor night show. Lights and surprises (don’t know what the hell that means).

3rd May
10:00 – 18:30: Paragliding and paramotor tandem flights
12:00: Take off and show of the professional teams (acrobatics, paramotor and BASE jump).
13:00: Aerial exhibition of the Ala 46 F –18 plane of the Spanish Aerial Army set up in The Canaries. BASE jump from the aircraft. Landing in El Socorro Beach.
17:00: Take off and show of the professional teams (acrobatics, paramotor and base jump).
20:30: Canarian Dinner and Pyrotechnic show on the Fiestas of the Cross Day in Los Realejos.

There are more details on the official website here.