The present application relates to a covering apparatus for covering anoutdoor area comprising a screen (1) that can be operated between a retractedand an extended configuration, the screen having a leading portion (2) and atrailing portion (4), the trailing portion (4) being connected to a firstsupport (5, 6), the apparatus further comprising a plurality of longitudinalflexible elements (11, 12) extending from the first support (5, 6) torespective second supports (9, 10), and the leading portion (2) of the screen(1) being supported by the longitudinal flexible elements (11, 12) as thescreen (1) is operated from the retracted to the extended configuration,wherein the leading portion (2) of the screen (1) is moveably mounted to thelongitudinal flexible elements (11, 12) such that the leading portion (2)moves with respect to the longitudinal flexible elements (11, 12) duringoperation between retracted and extended positions, and wherein at least oneclamping system is provided on the leading portion (2) of the screen (1) forreleasably clamping the leading portion (2) to at least one of thelongitudinal flexible elements (11, 12).
