The sky may not be the limit for Intisar Said Hamad al Jafri, a passionate paraglider hailing from the wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, in South Sharqiyah, who soared to the skies to follow her passion… She now wants to motivate more young ladies in Oman to let their dreams take wing.

Intisar is the very first woman in Oman to get an international paragliding license – an achievement that came following much hard work and determination. She strived hard over the past two years to excel against all odds and carve a niche, not just for herself, but for Oman, too.

“If you do not have the passion you cannot excel in anything,” Intisar told Muscat Daily, explaining how she pursued her interest for paragliding with unflinching conviction. She took up paragliding in 2020 and practised frequently, for two hours a day, flying in Khubat Al Jadan area and Al Musannah, in South Batinah.

Explaining the basic details about practising paragliding outdoors, Intisar said it is a recreational sport activity done with a device called ‘glider’ to fly in the open air for long distances, guided by the wind.

“Flying a paraglider is a satisfying experience, but it also is great for your body, mind, and soul. You have the chance to breathe fresh air as well as take your mind off stress. Apart from being an extremely fun and unforgettable experience, it also gives you a bird’s eye view of the world around you.

“While you practice paragliding, your core focus is always on what is presently going on, making your concentration abilities very high.”

About hurdles in her path, Intisar said, “I faced challenges in organising my time between my work, training, and procuring paragliding equipment, but with the help of Rustaq and Ibri Club’s Dhahirah Amateur Paragliding teams, I was able to overcome it. This sport needs more awareness about its importance as an interesting physical activity for girls.”

Formal training

Intisar obtained an International Paragliding License from the International Association of Paragliding Pilots and Instructors (APPI), in August 2022. APPI is a non profit association based in Switzerland that was founded in 2009.

She said, “I’m proud to get the licence as the first Omani to do so.” Talking about paragliding rules, she said, “The first thing to watch out for, when paragliding, is the wind. If you do paragliding without paying attention to the wind, your parachute may shut down or you may have difficulty controlling yourself.”

On her plans for the future, she said paragliding has been receiving great interest in Oman over the past few years. “I am seeking to be a paragliding instructor, establish a girls national team for paragliding, and participate in international competitions to raise the sultanate’s flag abroad.”

About safety, she said, helmets must be worn on all flights. In addition, the selected flight areas should be suitable as well as approved for paragliding. Also, a first aid kit must be available with each paraglider.

“It is also good idea to carry a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun while paragliding,” she said, adding, “I thank my family and friends for supporting me. I urge girls to take up this sport.”