Pilot was rushed to Krugersdorp Private hospital. A properly maintained and serviced hang glider will still perform well and maintain an acceptable margin of airworthiness for a lifetime of 300-500 hours of airtime. Unfortunately, most gliders that I see in the field are pretty well thrashed after a fraction of this time. Even if you don't plan on putting 500 hours on your glider, you can save yourself a lot of time, money and frustration if you routinely inspect and maintain your sail. These suggestions are a brief guide to taking care of your sail.
Ultraviolet radiation is very damaging to polyester fabric.
If you leave your glider assembled and unsheltered for long periods before and after flying, UV deterioration is likely to be the most significant factor in the premature wear of your sail. Also, the less time that your glider is left assembled and unattended, the less likely that it will be blown over and damaged. Most of the wear and tear occurs in the bag, bouncing down the road. A good set of padded racks will help but certainly won't save the sail of the glider that spends 12,000 miles a year on top of a car. Most glider bags are equipped with pads and covers for the severe wear areas.