Jayson's blog

An hour in the air on her first paragliding tandem flight!

Click for more photos!

Natalie and I have been in Hawaii for almost two weeks and today turned into a pretty magical day.

Our sweet Hawaii friend, Allison Green, was keen to go for a tandem flight and the stars aligned just right to make it happen on the very day we planned for. The wind was very light in Kailua so we drove to Makapu'u and hiked up to Cactus Launch. Unfortunately (and surprisingly) the wind there was too strong so, mildly dejected, we made the hot hike back down. Umpf.

A couple of years ago, I took Charlie's wife, Billie, for a flight from 'Tomato Patch' launch which, although a steep hike in, works well when it's too strong at Cactus.

We were all game, so up we went! Conditions were next to perfect when we arrived at the takeoff, blowing straight in at 10kph. Launch was easy and, before Allison knew it, she was looking WAY down on her buddy Natalie!

We quickly gained a few hundred feet, taking in the views that only Makapu'u affords: Koko Crater, Koko Head, Hawaii Kai, Makapu'u Lighthouse, Waimanalo, Rabbit Island, Maui, Molokai, etc.

We also had the good fortune to see a few horned goats tucked under a steep, rocky alcove below the hang glider ramp.

Needless to say, we flew our fill and then touched down lightly in the LZ.

Natalie hiked down and drove retrieve. Thanks Natalie!

We were both SO happy to share the experience with you Allison!

With Aloha,
~Jayson

Another Morning Triple to end the trip!

Early on launch again and, as throughout the trip, the wind was blowing in.
Audrey, Lars, Mark, and Hans all had 3 flights before noon to make it three mornings in a row and they all thermalled up again on their final flights.

On her last flight, Audrey ended up low but did a wonderful job of picking out an alternate landing area. Way to go Audrey!

Hans made it over to Lumby Ridge low and put down in the big field near the base while Mark zoomed all around the valley from Coopers to Lumby Ridge to the Saddle and he actually had to work to get down!

This Okanagan trip definitely tops the list as the most flying-filled one in recent memory and I know that all participants benefitted enormously from it.

To all of those who weren't able to attend, your time will come!

Four flights each for five pilots

Morning Triple yet again (this time with Mark as well).

Lars thermalled up quite high on his third flight and then Audrey got high, leading the way for Mark and Hans to follow. After nearly an hour of airtime, Audrey headed out to land while Hans and Mark both made it over the Saddle for a nice morning XC.

Mara again in the afternoon, this time a bit earlier, and we pushed the overheating limit of the Delica but made it up nonetheless. The wind was straighter than yesterday and Audrey had a great launch and thermalled up right away. Mark had to work it a bit, but managed to climb up and join her as did Hans. They got up to 7,000' or so.

Lars yet again climbed up high, took in the view of the Monashee Range and actually stayed in the air for about an hour, landing just as I arrived in the LZ! This was his 10th flight to date (his first being on Friday).

Duane also had a nice flight, cutting it a bit short to make his return flight back to Victoria from Kelowna. Again, Hans and Mark flew south, with Hans making it to Enderby two days running!

Thai dinner in Vernon ended a long day. We're hoping for some morning flights in Lumby before ending the trip and driving back to the island.

Full day of flying!

We were on launch by 8am due to the heat and we already had light cycles blowing in. Turned into a morning triple for Hans, Audrey, Lars, and Duane - three flights each by noon!

There was some thermalling for everyone, with conditions getting stronger on the last flight, allowing Hans to make it over to Lumby Ridge briefly.

After an extended lunch, we headed up to Mara Lake and were joined by Mark (who was accompanied by his wife, Mary). Audrey had her 35th flight, Duane had his 10th flight, and Mark had his 100th flight.

Conditions were a bit snarly with a crossing north wind so Audrey and Duane flew out into the valley where it was smoother. Lars' years of aviation showed as he handled the bumps and flew for over half an hour.

Hans and Mark both made it to the Enderby Cliffs, with Hans getting part way across the gap. Needless to say, Mark was PUMPED when we picked him up on the way back to Vernon!

First two Okanagan flights for Lars and Duane
And a 20km XC flight for Hans and I!

Much warmer temperatures were forecasted on our second Okanagan of the season and, since it rained heavily all day Thursday, it wasn't surprising that soarable conditions greeted us as the thermometer stretched up towards 30 degrees today.

To start the day off, Hans (who drove the 8 or 9 hours south from Vanderhoof the night before), went first and then assisted Duane and Lars on their first landings at Randy's LZ (newly signed, 'Freedom Flight Park'). They both did well and up we went for another.

Conditions had strengthened a bit and I guided the two newbies through some thermals before putting them down into the LZ. Hans was hoping for some cross country flying and I said that I'd fly as well if he got up .

He zoomed around the lower tree line for a while before finally catching and nicely working a strong thermal in the south gully, using it to climb up over launch height.

I decided to test out a GRADIENT Aspen 3 on a Sup'Air reverse-able harness and took some time installing a speed system. By the time I was ready to go, Hans had already made the first jump over to Lumby Ridge. I picked a nice cycle but got low out front before hooking one and climbing up over launch. I could see some serious shade about to set in and considered toplanding but, instead, I got flushed. Low.

I limped well below launch (-900') for at least 30minutes and then called it quits. I radioed the guys in the LZ to come and pick me up from the bomb-out as there was no way I could make it to Randy's from that low. I watched Hans speck out on the other side of Lumby Ridge and wished him luck.

As I glided out to the field, I encountered some light lift and thought, "Why not?".

Visiting couple from Ottawa fly tandem!

Yet another sunny summer day and some of us headed to Saltspring to see what the day would hold.

Kuno came out to play and he launched first, heading left instead of the usual right and was rewarded with some nice lift over the lower ridge. Rick followed shortly after with Carla on tandem and they, too, put in some turns before gliding out over the valley.

Carla's tandem launch with Rick: HERE

We have a new, temporary LZ which is on the small side and its Fulford border is lined with a tall row of trees that throw off some good rotor if a valley wind is present. Rick and Carla found there to be a substantial wind gradient as they came in to land.

Launch conditions were a little tricky for Audrey and Duane but they handled themselves well and showed good reactions in the LZ, following Rick's instructions on approach.

After a few inflations with Derek on tandem, we got airborne and ended up running most of the length of Bruce Peak towards Burgoyne Bay before landing in a brisk Fulford wind. Good job Derek!

Derek's tandem launch with Jayson: HERE

Rick and Kuno then headed up to Maxwell for some thermalling while the students drove retrieve.

Photos by Jayson, Carla, and Sue,
iPhone videos by William :)

*Special note: Rick scored a site hat-trick by having a multi-hour sunset flight at Dallas Road

Friday, July 2nd - Monday, July 5th

I've been negligent with my postings this past month. I keep thinking that I will catch up but I realize that it is unlikely so I will just post the most recent news and try to get to the past news when possible.

On Friday, a group of Vancouver Island pilots made the trip to the small town of Pemberton, just north of Whistler. Unfortunately, the Whistler Express (aka the inflow wind originating down in Squamish) was blowing strongly from the south so no one was able to fly Friday evening.

On Saturday morning, we headed up to west-facing McKenzie launch to find the wind crossing already. Some of us made the four-wheel drive trip up to the new launch and were impressed with all the work that had been done. After some parawaiting, PMac reported that the wind was dying on lower launch so we headed back down. Audrey, Amara, Maurice, and Greg all had their first flights but the Whistler wind kicked back in, effectively ending the day of flying. Before it did, however, I was able to have a nice flight with Cornell's son Mishka and Cornell himself went last, learning first hand how valley winds work.

After a nice lunch at the Pony Espresso, we decided to hike Joffre Lakes. After a short hike to the first lake, we somehow thought we should push on to the second lake. Not everyone made it. Those of us that did, however, were treated to a closer view of the glacier. What, a third lake? Even closer to the glacier?

We were humbled by the family with three young boys returning from above so we put our heads down and kept going. Everyone agreed that it was well worth the effort. Good job Rick, PMac, Audrey, Greg, Charlie, Mark, Cornell, Mishka, Jaron, and Hannah. Going back was faster (although harder on the knees). Turns out it was a 11km return hike!

BIG day of flying in the Okanagan!

After being rained out on Friday, Saturday made up for it in spades!

We headed up to Coopers launch in Lumby fairly early and were surprised to find cycles already coming in nicely. Everyone got their first flights in except for Natalie who loaned her glider to Greg as his got left in the LZ somehow.

Everyone being:
Lee, PMac, Shabe, Greg, Audrey, Amara (who soared high over launch), Maurice, Ian, Bev, Rob (who had his first high flight!), Rick, Paul, Charlie, Hans, Cornell, and Brett.

Simon missed out on the first run but joined in on the second run, eventually landing out en route to Randy's.

Natalie then got to fly and managed to thermal out front for a bit. Audrey flew into some strong lift out in the valley and I had her work to avoid it (she is fast becoming known as a 'lift magnet').

I made the call that it was too strong for any more student flights so Lee launched on his new, sporty SWING Astral 6 and got high over launch before heading to the Saddle and over towards Rawlings Cliffs and then back to the Saddle and off to Lumby Ridge. We later learned that he then flew over Lavington before finally gliding from Vernon Mountain to the King Eddy LZ. Way to go Lee!

Have a look at Lee's Flickr set here:

Not too far behind was Cornell who didn't have to make the low saves that Lee did as he timed everything just right (lucky bugger). He arrived over Vernon Mt at 6000' + but elected to join Lee at King Eddy LZ as he wasn't familiar with the airspace over Vernon (good decision Cornell).

Hans wasn't too far behind but he didn't make the transition from Lumby Ridge with enough height and ended up near the gas station in Lavington for his first XC flight (congrats Hans!).

Long Day of Travel - with some flights to end it!

A big VIP Crew caught an early ferry and drove under sunny skies the 5hrs+ to the Okanagan Valley.

Some of us had heavier feet than others and arrived early enough to actually get some short XC flights in at Mara Lake (Charlie, Rick, and Paul). Winds were straight in and 15kph and PMac, Simon, and Audrey were all part of the speedy group. However, they put down in the LZ.

Bringing up the rear, Lee, Greg, Ian, Rob and I arrived on launch around 7:30pm to much lighter and north cross winds. Lee went first on his new SWING Astral 6.24, taking it for its first mountain flight, and was surprised by the strong N wind in the LZ.

Ian went next, forward launching well for his first flight in the Okanagan, and he had a good and surprising long flight, following Lee's input before landing. Greg was next and also executed a nice forward launch before experiencing the 3,000'+ vertical drop that Mara provides.

The wind lightened up for Greg's approach and he joined Lee and Ian below.
I then I took the Astral 6.26 for a smooth evening flight to cap off the day.

Looks like rain tomorrow and then better weather for the weekend.
Wish us luck!

Kiting and Training Hill time in between showers

Rob, Hans' longtime friend from up north, drove 16hrs+ to spend some time training here at Vancouver Island Paragliding this past weekend. Two years ago he went for a tandem flight and was now ready to start his Certified Novice Course.

I really didn't think we'd be able to get much done before heading to the Okanagan on Thursday but we spent some time in the Parahangar adjusting his harness, installing and practicing extracting his reserve, setting up his speed bar, etc.

The ground was pretty soaked at the Training Hill but I thought that we might be able to do some light wind inflations on his new SWING Arcus down at Dallas if we got a window. We headed down even though it was foggy and, just as we arrived, some rain cells out in the strait formed and displaced enough air to provide enough onshore wind that I was able to test out his new glider. That was lucky!

Seizing the moment, I landed next to Rob and had him clip in and, before he knew it, he was kiting his glider overhead facing both forward and back. He definitely has some natural ability - excellent job Rob!

And then it rained so we packed up.

The next day we headed to the Training Hill and the rain stayed away. Unfortunately the sun came out and, with it, the thermals started to cook - causing strong, gusty conditions. We covered some more basics and then decided to have Rob practice 'building a wall' and controlling his glider on the ground. After a good hour or two, things started to calm down and he was able to inflate and kill his glider repeatedly.

Finally, conditions mellowed enough for him to get some flights in and he ended the day by putting everything he'd learned together and having his best flight!