Swing-HybridHike

Swing - Hybrid Hike [2012]

The new generation of foot-launched mini-wings has arrived. To meet the growing popularity of “hike & fly” in mountain regions around the world, Swing has created the Hybrid Hike, the lightweight version of the Hybrid Sport, in sizes 15 and 17. It’s all about bringing the sport of paragliding back to its roots. This wing opens up a whole new range of opportunities for all mountain climbers and alpine enthusiasts who hold a paragliding licence.

Hybrid Hike - fun on the ascent and the descent, from 2.3kg

The Hybrid Hike is very lightweight, just 2.3 kg for size 15, and thus intended as a descent method for mountain runners and mountain climbers. However, it is equally intended for pilots who climb a mountain in order to experience the "go-cart-feeling" with the safety of an all-round glider specifically developed for foot launch, as with the Hybrid Sport. Our main objective in developing this wing was to achieve maximum increase to the glide-dive range. The result is a wing which combines the good glide features and the low take-off speed of a speed flyer with the speed riding characteristics and dive possibilities of a pure speed rider. Starting from 2.3kg, there has been a further reduction in canopy weight.

Two sports reduced to their essentials

The Hybrid Hike is the perfect interplay between speed riding and paragliding. When we developed the wing, our goal was to combine the new technologies used in paraglider construction with the simple handling of a speed rider. This resulted in a mini-wing with reinforced leading edge, durable Dyneema lines, reduced overall line length and narrow risers with three line levels, which is accelerated using trimmers. The Hybrid Hike is aimed particularly for pilots who enjoy climbing, so the canopy weight of the Hybrid Sport was again reduced further, and thus a good compromise was reached between lightweight design and durability.

Mountaineering + the freedom of flying

Every mountaineer has dreamed of conquering a peak and then flying down to the valley floor. The Hybrid Hike takes the concept of the Hybrid Sport and uses lightweight construction, making it the ideal way to experience the mountains in a new way. The canopy is so light that you will almost forget that you are carrying anything as you head for the summit. The gentlest upcurrent brings the lightweight canopy and short lines safely above the pilot and allows the expert to launch safely even in difficult terrain. If the wind isn’t right, then it is no great effort to carry the lightweight wing down into the valley again. So there is no temptation to take any unnecessary risks.

The lower glide and reduced line radius allow effortless execution of rapid turns and a fast and controlled descent. High wing-loading, good speed and clearly discernible G-forces minimise the risks of strain relief and provide very good feedback via the brakes. Dynamic and elegant contour flying from mountain slopes at 50-60km/h will set the heart of any freestyle-oriented Hybrid Hike pilot racing and get the adrenaline flowing. You are guaranteed to have fun both going up the mountain and coming down. The Hybrid Hike is also intended for mountain runners who want a fast and safe way to get back down to the valley after training.

It is possible to make the Hybrid Hike lighter by replacing the stainless steel quick links with Dyneema soft links. This reduces even further the risk of open quick links and damage to the quick link. The Hybrid Hike has passed the load test with the soft links.

Important:
The 15 and 17 are the smallest sizes in the Hybrid family. Sizes 19, 22, 24 and 26 are being developed and will cover other areas of use. Please pay close attention to the recommended uses we give for each size, the wing-loading per sq. m created with your take-off weight and the demands placed on your flying ability as a result (level I to V in the table)

Manufacture: Swing Paragliders

Swing - Hybrid Hike

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