Is she the youngest female paraglider in the world?

By Baraah Al-Mujaini

Raghad Alkabani started paragliding when she was 5 years old. Now at 11, she’s mastered many of the techniques and has been flying on her own confident enough to make a safe landing every time.

Throughout these years, Raghad has been practising with her father and her parents massively supported her.

As she was embraced and raised within a family that encourages sport in general, and paragliding in particular, she decided, and her elder brother too, who is 13, to practice paragliding seriously. Especially due to the fact that Raghad’s father is the founder of the Al Dhahirah Governorate team for paragliding amateurs, and who is also a credited international trainer in this kind of sport.

“She joined paragliding mainly because she had the deep desire to master it”, her father said.

However, Raghad has faced many obstacles on her way, and still facing lots of ups and downs, yet she and her parents always do their best to overcome all of these challenges. One of the most critical problems Raghad faced was the lack of a certain paragliding engine that suits her age, yet, her father managed to seek industries that specialised in these engines and requested a customised engine for Raghad’s age and weight.

“I can vividly remember the first time I flew alone, I was the captain, for the first time, and not my father. I felt over the moon. What was concerning me at that time was only the time of landing, since it is a very critical phase and requires a very qualified person’’ Raghad said.

From Raghad’s perspective, for those who would like to try paragliding. there are certain qualifications, some of which are the courage and deep desire to do so.

This sport has gained somehow a negative reputation, in the sense that it is risky and limited to amateurs; However, Raghad stated that it is not risky as long as the person has the appropriate equipment and courage.

“Currently I am not thinking about joining international competitions, I do need to practice more and master this kind of paragliding. I prefer to participate first in local competitions and events and then broaden my scope regionally and internationally”, Raghad added.

On Saudi National Day, Raghad celebrated in her unique way, by hoisting the Saudi flag while practising paragliding. Her way of celebration goes viral through different social media platforms, which has impressed people from different parts and locally and regionally.

Raghad aims to be known globally as a paragliding armature. the environment and family that surrounded her played a crucial role in enhancing her talent and her passion for paragliding.

“Thanks to everyone who has been supporting me. And a special thanks to my beloved country, Sultanate of Oman, for embracing kids’ interests and helping them reach their dreams regardless of their backgrounds, gender, or age”, Raghad said.