What's the difference between a standard and thermal flight?

Standard paragliding utilizes natural upward air currents created by wind interactions with terrain features like hills or mountains. Pilots navigate along ridge lines or utilize wind lift to maintain flight, adapting to prevailing atmospheric conditions. In contrast, thermal paragliding involves leveraging rising columns of warm air known as thermals to ascend and prolong flight duration. Pilots circle within these thermals to gain altitude, offering opportunities for longer and higher flights compared to standard paragliding. Understanding these techniques enhances the paragliding experience, providing enthusiasts with diverse options to explore the skies.