Paragliders warned to be careful on Schouwen-Duiveland beach

The Zeeland municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland has called on paragliders at its beaches to keep their distance from people and to avoid flying over beach pavilions, citing safety concerns.

On social media, the municipality emphasized its commitment to keeping the beach “safe and enjoyable for everyone.” It pointed out the risks associated with paragliding: “Taking off and landing among walkers, playing children, beachgoers, and pets regularly leads to unsafe situations. Moreover, sudden or unexpected gusts of wind can cause a paraglider to lose control, potentially leading to serious consequences,” the municipality stated.

This has occurred twice in recent years in the nearby area. On October 19, 2024, a paraglider suffered serious injuries after crashing in the dunes near Burgh-Haamstede, close to the pavilion De Schaar, resulting in a trauma helicopter taking the person to the hospital.

Another incident occurred on February 23, 2025, when two paragliders collided in mid-air near the Duinpad in Westenschouwen, close to Burgh-Haamstede. Fortunately, no one was injured in this incident.

Therefore, the municipality asks paragliders to maintain a distance from people, refrain from flying over beach pavilions, and avoid entering the dunes.

The municipality also shared footage on Facebook showing, among other incidents, a paraglider whose canopy made contact with a beach pavilion.