Why the cool kids do it....

Paragliding is fun, has lower barriers of entry (training and licensing), doesn't require large time commitments (soaring is typically a full day event) and is relatively cheap (no $50 aerotows, hangar fees, annual inspections, etc.) so it's little surprise it's doing so well.

However I know many more ex paraglider and ex hang-glider pilots who've either had near death experiences or are currently held together with metal pins than I know of glider pilots who've been injured or killed while soaring..

Unfortunately danger is not something that youngsters take much note of and safety isn't something that sells very well unless you're targeting people who have a family to look after.
When one is young one feels invincible.

Injury rate might be higher, death rate seems the same. Plenty of old codger paraglider pilots. Way more old guys then young adrenaline types. Less money, same time problems as sailplane flying. None of this stuff thrives if men don't take their weekends back for themselves. Empty nesters and single dudes incapable of getting a lady friend(perhaps a new definition of lucky) make up most of the pilots, same as the gliderport. Despite the price difference perception most paraglider pilots that I've met could afford to fly sailplanes if they wanted to.
On Friday, March 6, 2015 at 1:28:25 AM UTC-5, Surge wrote:
Paragliding is fun, has lower barriers of entry (training and licensing), doesn't require large time commitments (soaring is typically a full day event) and is relatively cheap (no $50 aerotows, hangar fees, annual inspections, etc.) so it's little surprise it's doing so well.

However I know many more ex paraglider and ex hang-glider pilots who've either had near death experiences or are currently held together with metal pins than I know of glider pilots who've been injured or killed while soaring.

Unfortunately danger is not something that youngsters take much note of and safety isn't something that sells very well unless you're targeting people who have a family to look after.
When one is young one feels invincible.