2009 VIParagliding Pilot Awards

Another year of flying on the islands has come and gone and, overall, it was an excellent season. Some good spring mountain flying, followed by consistent sea breezes in the summer for dynamic flying, and then, when the fire hazard finally passed, some great fall mountain flying.

A dedicated crew of pilots took to the air when able and some new faces came on the scene as well: Greg, Nathaniel, Maurice, Bev, Johnny, and Audrey all made good progress towards their Novice Pilot rating and will be finished next season.

Here are the 2009 VIParagliding Pilot Awards as I see them:

MOST IMPROVED: Charlie Webb

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Paul McLennan

NOTEWORTHY FLIGHTS: Charlie Webb (Duncan to Ladysmith XC)

Lee Kenyon (Saltspring XC)

Rick Heatley (Maxwell high pressure soaring)

MOST PROMISING: Johnny Lu







DETERMINATION: Beverley Hall, Maurice Robinson








AIRTIME: Charlie Webb








GIVING BACK: Rick Heatley (Teaching and Tandems)










PILOT OF THE YEAR: Lee Kenyon

Congratulations everyone and here's looking forward to an even better season in 2010!

~ Jayson