1. Choosing your Dune Rider

The Hopper is Dune Rider's more accessible all-round parakite. It offers excellent low-speed performance, predictable feedback, strong depower and playful handling while remaining relatively forgiving.

The Scraper is the higher-performance platform. It carries more energy, has greater dive potential and rewards accurate, active flying.

In simple terms: Hopper = accessible performance and progression. Scraper = maximum performance and energy for experienced pilots.

For a detailed product breakdown, visit the compare page and refer to the comparison table. 

For most pilots entering parakiting, we'd start the conversation with the Hopper.

For experienced parakite pilots specifically looking for greater dive, energy retention, aggressive roll and dynamic performance, the Scraper may be the better choice. That being said, it's not just about experience but also your preferred flying style. 

We'd rather talk to you about your experience and sell you the right wing than sell you the most extreme one.

Yes, subject to your existing qualifications and the Australian regulatory framework.

For an appropriately qualified and licensed pilot, the Hopper is generally the Dune Rider model we would consider first for someone entering parakiting. 

There isn't a universal answer based purely on body weight.

Your all-up flying weight, experience, conditions, flying style and desired performance all matter.

As size decreases, wing loading and the overall character of the aircraft change. Don't simply choose the smallest size you think you can handle.

Talk to us and we'll help you select the appropriate Hopper.

Scraper sizing deserves particular care because it is Dune Rider's high-performance platform.

The smaller Scrapers can produce substantially greater speed, energy and dynamic response and should not be selected simply because a pilot wants maximum performance.

We'll consider your weight, experience, previous parakite flying and intended use before recommending a size.

Pilot weight affects wing loading, but it isn't the only consideration.

Your complete flying weight, wing area, conditions and the type of flying you intend to do all influence how the wing behaves.

Two pilots of identical body weight can legitimately be better suited to different sizes because of their experience and intended use.

No.

Smaller usually means increased wing loading, but increased wing loading also changes speed, energy, handling and the consequences of mistakes.

The best-performing wing is the one that allows you to use its performance effectively.

When you're no longer simply comfortable on the Hopper but genuinely understand and control its full range.

You should have strong launch and ground-handling skills, accurate brake control, good energy management and experience making sound decisions in changing coastal conditions.

Progression shouldn't be driven simply by wanting something smaller or faster.

Because it is designed to retain and convert more energy.

The Scraper offers exceptional glide, strong depower, sustained dive and powerful roll and pop. Those characteristics make it extremely capable in experienced hands, but they also require more precise judgement and control.

Absolutely.

Cloudbase maintains demonstration wings and works with experienced pilots and team pilots around Australia so pilots can see and experience the products before making a decision.

Demo availability depends on location, conditions, wing size and your pilot experience and qualifications.

Contact us and we'll work out the best opportunity for you.

We intend to run Dune Rider demonstrations and pilot events in different parts of Australia as the community grows.

We also have team pilots in different locations who can help introduce pilots to the products and share first-hand experience with them.

Follow Cloudbase or contact us to find the nearest opportunity.

Start with understanding that a parakite isn't simply a smaller paraglider.

The control system, brake range, depower, energy retention, roll response and way the wing is flown can be significantly different.

For most appropriately qualified pilots entering parakiting, the Hopper is the more accessible Dune Rider platform. We would still recommend getting good advice and, where possible, some parakite-specific coaching rather than simply downsizing and teaching yourself.

You may already have many of the most valuable skills — particularly strong-wind ground handling, launch judgement, ridge awareness and coastal weather knowledge.

But a parakite introduces a different control system and different ways of managing speed, dive and energy.

Even highly experienced paraglider pilots can benefit from an introduction to those differences before pushing the performance of the wing.

Yes, subject to your existing qualifications and the Australian regulatory framework.

Cloudbase Paragliding is a professional Australian paragliding school and Flight Training Facility. We help pilots develop the skills relevant to parakiting, including coastal soaring, strong-wind ground handling, advanced wing control and energy management, and we can provide parakite-specific coaching to appropriately qualified pilots.

If you are already qualified to fly the equipment, we can work with you on developing technique, confidence and control. If you are not yet appropriately qualified, we will help you understand the correct progression pathway rather than simply putting you on a parakite.

Within the Australian SAFA framework, they are not interchangeable terms.

Training develops skills and competencies and can form part of obtaining a qualification or authorisation. Coaching is guidance and advice intended to improve the skills of someone who already holds the relevant qualification or certification.

For commercial coaching, SAFA requires the recipient already to hold the relevant authorisation and the provider to hold an L2 Flight Instructor or CFI certificate.

We'll always structure what we offer around your existing qualifications and experience.

For pilots in Europe, we recommend our partner school, Paragliding is Fun in the Netherlands.

Simon, Chloé and their instructor team are closely connected with Dune Rider and use Dune Rider equipment within their school. They provide instruction from beginner through to advanced levels, including dune soaring and parakite flying.

They understand the products, the style of flying they were designed for and, importantly, the Dutch dunes where Dune Rider was developed.

For pilots looking to learn in Europe, they're the people we'd recommend speaking with.

Potentially, depending on the harness and the intended type of flying.

Harness geometry, protection, connection system and pilot position can significantly affect how a wing feels and responds.

Talk to us about your existing setup before assuming it is the best combination for your Dune Rider.

Your equipment configuration should reflect the type of flying you're doing, the environment and the applicable rules.

For Cloudbase supported flying and coaching, we take a conservative approach to personal protective equipment and strongly encourage pilots to use appropriate protection and emergency equipment wherever practical.

At minimum, we strongly recommend a suitable flying helmet and appropriate back protection, especially in your development phase.

Your harness and other equipment should also be appropriate for the type of parakite flying you're undertaking.

Parakiting can involve considerably more speed and energy than conventional low-level coastal soaring. Dress and equip yourself accordingly.

Strong-wind capability is one of the reasons parakites are so attractive for coastal flying, but being capable of flying in stronger wind doesn't mean every strong wind is safe.

Wind strength, gusts, terrain, rotor, beach width, obstacles, tide and your own ground-handling ability all matter.

Knowing when not to launch remains one of the most important pilot skills.

Do not fly the glider in rain.

Rain significantly increases the risk of a stall and can materially change the way the wing behaves in flight.

Water increases the weight of the canopy and alters the characteristics of the fabric. It can also affect the lines and contribute to the glider going out of trim.

If rain is approaching or conditions are deteriorating, land before you are caught in it. Do not continue flying in the hope that the shower will pass.

A Dune Rider is capable of more than simply dune soaring, but aircraft choice must suit the environment and conditions.

Mountain flying introduces different considerations including terrain, turbulence, thermals, landing options and altitude.

If mountain or speedflying-style operation is your intended use, speak with us about your experience and the particular Dune Rider you're considering.

Parakites are primarily designed around dynamic flying, soaring and environments where their particular control and energy characteristics can be used appropriately.

Turbulence and strong thermic conditions introduce additional variables and risks.

Choose the aircraft and conditions to match the intended type of flying rather than assuming that because a wing is stable in strong coastal airflow it is appropriate for every strong-air environment.

The Scraper has a very stable reflex profile, and the internal pressure remains relatively high across a wide range of angles of attack, from fully powered to fully depowered. This reduces the chance of a collapse; however, we do not recommend relying solely on this. Every glider can collapse at some point. It’s always better to fly actively, especially in more turbulent conditions, and stay in tune with the glider. If you do experience a collapse, avoid keeping your hands high, as you’ll be fully depowered and the glider will not, or will hardly, reinflate.

The Scraper is a very stable wing, offering many advantages for flying enjoyment, as it allows you to fly more comfortably in stronger winds. However, this stability can sometimes give you a false sense of security. While we’ve never experienced a serious collapse with the wing, such events can always happen. If that occurs, you’ll need to resolve it yourself. That’s why we recommend staying attentive to the wing, and if you sense turbulence, it’s best to land.

If any of these scenarios make you question whether the Scraper is right for you, come test it out or consult with one of our team riders.

Dune Rider parakites incorporate design characteristics intended to provide a stable platform, but no flexible wing should be treated as incapable of collapsing.

How a wing reacts depends on the disturbance, configuration, pilot input and conditions.

The appropriate response is not to rely on the wing's resistance to collapse but to fly within suitable conditions and your own abilities.

No. Dune Rider should not be assumed to be approved for passenger carrying simply because its structural load test exceeds the combined weight of two people.

Structural load testing and passenger-carrying approval are completely different things.

Dune Rider does not represent the Hopper or Scraper as tandem-certified aircraft.

They're different aircraft with different characteristics.

A parakite can offer significant control, depower and stability, but it can also carry considerable speed and energy. Safety ultimately depends heavily on the pilot, conditions, environment, equipment choice and how the aircraft is being flown.

Don't interpret accessibility as an absence of risk.

The Dune Rider Hopper and Scraper are both shock and load tested according to EN 926-1.

EN 926-1 is the standard covering structural strength testing of paragliders. It is important to understand that this is not the same as an EN flight classification such as EN-A, EN-B, EN-C or EN-D.

It’s important to take good care of your Dune Rider, as this will significantly impact the lifespan of the glider. Regularly check the glider and trim, and follow the advice in the manual. Avoid storing your glider when it’s wet, and don’t leave it exposed to the sun. Clean the risers, especially the pulleys, to prevent the pulley lines from wearing out prematurely. Always inspect the glider for signs of wear, and do not fly it if any wear is detected.

Inspection intervals depend on use, environment, storage and the manufacturer's recommendations.

Sand, salt, UV exposure and repeated strong-wind use can all accelerate wear.

Regularly inspect your wing, lines, risers and connection points yourself and arrange a professional inspection whenever there is damage, unusual behaviour or uncertainty about its condition.

Contact us.

Proper line trim is essential for both performance and safety. Over time, lines will gradually change length due to use, load cycles and environmental influences. Even small deviations can noticeably affect handling, stability and stall behaviour.

We strongly recommend checking line trim on a regular basis and replacing kite-risers in time.
If you notice changes such as reduced glide, increased brake pressure, earlier stalls or asymmetric behaviour, this is often an indication that line trim has shifted and service is required.
You can perform a quick mixer check, which is described in our manual. This will tell you if your parakite needs to be re-trimmed.

For best results, have your parakite checked and trimmed by a qualified service centre familiar with Dune Rider products.

If you are unsure about the condition of your parakite or have questions regarding trim or service intervals, feel free to contact us. We are happy to advise you.

Yes, contact us with your model, size and the component you require.

Where necessary, we'll work directly with Dune Rider to identify the correct replacement component.

Contact us first.

Cloudbase provides local after-sales support and can help determine whether your wing requires inspection, line work or specialist repair.

Where specialist work is required, we'll help connect you with the appropriate service pathway.

You will find all Dune Rider manuals here. 

Cloudbase is the official Asia-Pacific distribution partner for Dune Rider, supporting pilots throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Cloudbase Paragliding brings more than 15 years of experience in paragliding training, pilot development and equipment support to the Dune Rider community.

Dune Rider designs and develops the wings in Europe, while Cloudbase provides the regional presence across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Working directly with the Dune Rider team in Europe, Cloudbase provides the local aviation expertise, instructional and operational capability, product knowledge and customer support needed to establish and grow Dune Rider throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Because you're buying more than a box containing a wing.

Cloudbase provides local product knowledge, model and sizing advice, demonstrations, instructor, professional team support and ongoing after-sales assistance throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

We're building the community around the product as much as we're supplying the product itself.

Yes.

One of the advantages of buying through Cloudbase is access to people who actually fly, teach and coach.

If you're uncertain about your qualification, experience, model or size, contact us before ordering.

Absolutely — in fact, we'd prefer that you ask.

Tell us your weight, qualification, experience, current wings, where you fly and what you want from your parakite.

We'll help narrow down the model and size that make sense rather than simply recommending the highest-performance option.

Cloudbase primarily supports and supplies pilots directly.

That gives us the opportunity to speak with you about your experience, intended flying and equipment choice rather than treating the wing as simply another retail product.

Absolutely. Cloudbase supports Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

International pricing, freight, taxes, duties and import arrangements vary between destinations, so contact us if your country isn't available through the normal online checkout.

International orders can involve different freight, GST/VAT, duties and import arrangements.

Rather than allowing the website to produce an inappropriate or misleading landed price, some international orders may need to be handled directly.

Contact us and we'll provide the appropriate purchasing and shipping information for your location.

Cloudbase's territory is Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

If you live outside the Asia-Pacific territory, please contact Dune Rider directly and they'll be happy to help you out!

Cloudbase is your regional point of contact after purchase.

If you experience a manufacturing issue or have a question about your wing, contact us first. We'll assess the situation and, where required, work directly with Dune Rider to determine the appropriate solution.

Start by following Cloudbase Paragliding on Instagram and saying hello.

We're building a network of pilots around Australia, New Zealand and Asia who want to fly, learn, share information, organise demonstrations and help grow parakiting properly.

You don't have to be a team pilot to be part of it.

We're developing a network of experienced Dune Rider pilots throughout the region.

Our team pilots help demonstrate the products, share knowledge and connect local pilots with Cloudbase. 

Contact us with your location and we'll tell you who's nearby.

Possibly, yes!

We're interested in skilled, enthusiastic pilots who genuinely love this style of flying and want to help build the Dune Rider community.

We're particularly interested in parakite pilots who demonstrate good judgement, fly well, communicate well, can mentor and support other pilots and contribute useful photo, video or social content.

Being part of the team isn't simply about getting discounted equipment. We're looking for people who genuinely represent the way we want Dune Rider to grow in the Asia-Pacific region.