In reply to SebCa:
As others have said, you definitely want to undertake proper training rather than self teach (though back in the day self-teaching was the norm). Its a weird sport in that what will kill/maim you is virtually invisible, subtle and difficult to detect with the window of safe conditions in which you can fly exceptionally narrow. Your first flight will make clear that what looks extremely sedate and calm from the ground is a full-on sensory motion experience in the air. The difference between a joyous flight and finding yourself completely at the mercy of the elements with your wing folding up around you isn't much - I've watched one person plummet to their death, know a handful who are now in wheelchairs and can probably name half a dozen household names who were in the sport 5 years ago and are no longer with us today. Don't take it lightly. Spinal and other life-changing injuries are relatively common.
For the training, everyone has different suggestions. I'd advise against training in the UK however. The time spent grounded between flights makes it difficult to justify as the conditions you can fly in are even more limited than usual. Also, while UK training is good for a lot of take-off and landing practice, scratching in weak lift and honing your slope landings, some of the most exhilarating flying takes place in the Alps where the alpine(forward) launch techniques and thermaling skills are necessary but not an area of skill amongst UK pilots or trained much in beginners courses.
I can suggest Passion Paragliding in Ager, Spain, or Fly4Seasons in Bulgaria as good choices. Good instructors, very reliable conditions, nice cultural experience, and in 1-2 weeks you can get your basic CP qualification.
The kit these days is advancing. Single skin gliders with the norm becoming very light weight harnesses and wings, sufficiently so to climb a hill/mountain and fly down at the end of the day. Plus vol-biv (hike-and-fly), the X-Alps competition and mini-wings/speed wings. But compared to sail planes be prepared for abysmal relative performance. Our glide-ratios are still dire, though thermalling techniques from gliding definitely of use in PG. Instrumentation is becoming comparable (eg. XCSoar or LK8000 + FLARM becoming norm). The biggest win is that wherever you land, you can pack everything up in your rucksack, at a total weight of 10-12kg, and walk out, so outlandings are no longer a stress.