I fly a hang glider , and I totally agree with your theory. I think that we are after a "fun" dose of adrenaline rather than "fight for life" dose. If I fly into a certain level of turbulence, the fight for life adrenaline takes over and the fun stops.
I started at age 35, after I had seen hang gliding in my early 20s, it literally turned into a decade or more, I only got off my ass because someone I knew took a groupon. I learned on the training hill just like everyone else but my higher altitude training was done with surface tow. 4 years later I'm on the cusp of a USHPA Hang-4 advanced rating.
I'm sure there's something in this, although I can think of counter-arguments. Computer games can be fun, but not dangerous. Surgical operations may be dangerous, but aren't fun. UK stats say there is one hang-gliding death per 116,000 flights here .... but hang gliding would still look fun no matter how safe. Admittedly the proximity to enormous deadly heights looks like it adds to the fun. Perhaps it's about the perception of danger.
For me, the learning was the most dangerous part. I had zero knowledge to make the right choices. I had to trust an instructor for every decision. I feel much safer at every progression.
I can relate to the danger-fun curve. I like watching movies on my couch at home. One day it will kill me.
I fly a hang glider , and I totally agree with your theory. I think that we are after a "fun" dose of adrenaline rather than "fight for life" dose. If I fly into a certain level of turbulence, the fight for life adrenaline takes over and the fun stops.
totally agree
I want to learn hang gliding one day too. looks amazing. thanks.
"one day" can turn into years. Get to it!
good advice. when did you learn? was your learning experience the same as in this video?
I started at age 35, after I had seen hang gliding in my early 20s, it literally turned into a decade or more, I only got off my ass because someone I knew took a groupon. I learned on the training hill just like everyone else but my higher altitude training was done with surface tow. 4 years later I'm on the cusp of a USHPA Hang-4 advanced rating.
Why do people do it? The FREEDOM of course!
I'm sure there's something in this, although I can think of counter-arguments. Computer games can be fun, but not dangerous. Surgical operations may be dangerous, but aren't fun. UK stats say there is one hang-gliding death per 116,000 flights here .... but hang gliding would still look fun no matter how safe. Admittedly the proximity to enormous deadly heights looks like it adds to the fun. Perhaps it's about the perception of danger.
For me, the learning was the most dangerous part. I had zero knowledge to make the right choices. I had to trust an instructor for every decision. I feel much safer at every progression.
Great video
nice. danger fun