Wellington Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club Home
Newsletter: March 2007 (Note: all external links open in a new window)
Next Meeting: Tuesday 3 April 2007, 7:30 pm @ The Valley Club, 10 Daly St, Lower Hutt
(MAP).
Minutes: No minutes from the December meeting, as informal meeting held at the K Sing Thai cafe. No meeting held in February....
Top UK woman paraglider pilot moves to Wellington
Louise Burnham, the UK's #1 woman paraglider pilot has moved to Wellington!
Louise was recently at Manilla as part of the UK team - she will talk
briefly about her experiences there - including THE thunderstorm.
Recent flying
Barry Baxter and Laurie Ross had about an hours flying off Mt Climie on Friday 23 March. On Sunday 25 March Grant Tatham spent the day instructing at Bull Hill. Was a bit windy middle part of the day, but James, Mark Moloney, and Terry O'Neill flew from the top, and it was quite soarable. Lightened off in the afternoon and was good at the bottom. The "fly-in" was cancelled on 17/18 because of strong winds.... The following Saturday was also cancelled due to forecast strong winds....
Andy Maloney flew 73km from Blowhard down the Rainbow Valley towards Hamner at the St Arnaud XC Classic on March 10 along with five other pilots!! Russ Read over-flew Hanmer getting 96km.
Easter flying
There are a bunch of paraglider pilots going to the Paeroas from Auckland (see Wings & Waves website - about three stories down), and there's a bit of interest from some of the hangies. At this point the long term forecast is looking "interesting". One problem - Waikite is booked out. Anyone going up will have to make other arrangements. There are a couple of other camp grounds in the area, or possibly the local domain? Louise burnham is keen to go up, but doesn't have a vehicle yet. Anyone planning to go up please contact her on 027 496 32 54.
Hang gliding web sites
Do NOT try this at home (or anywhere else for that matter!) YouTube video
Australian YouTube video by Alex Charles
Rigid Wings - Part I: Spins, Speeds and Safety by Dennis Pagen
Paragliding web sites
Harmony Gaw third woman at World Paragliding Championships - Team Kahu site
Bright YouTube video
Paragliding Earth newsletter
XC Championships for 2006/07
Email Kris at whgpceditor@backup.net.nz with any news you may have!
Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned forever skyward, for there you have been, and there you long to return" Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
