July Okanagan Trip

Where's the reliable Okanagan summer sun?!

First time in over a decade of flying here in the summer that the rain beat out the sun over the course of a week in July.

Regardless, a determined crew of pilots made the most of it and flew two sites (and saw some magnificent thunderstorms!).

We were joined by 3 pilots from the Kootenays (brothers Jay and Andrew - both past students, as well as Joaquin). Jay became an instructor and runs his own business in the Kootenays (Kootenay Paragliding) and he helped with landings for 2 days.

Everyone got 2 flights in from Coopers on the first flying day (Duane, Natalie, Bev, Maurice, Ian, Chris, Lars, and Audrey). Not a lot of thermals to be had but Ian did manage to make the locals look bad.

The next day saw a low bank of cloud obscuring the valley in the morning but it broke up after not too long. Everyone got three flights in, except Audrey and Duane, who got two.
The third flight was a bit windier and everyone put down in the alternate LZ. On this day, Rob had his first three solos flights! Welcome to the sky Rob!

Coopers wasn't working the next morning but we took a chance on Mara and the clouds parted as we arrived on the 3000'+ takeoff and everyone had great flights! Everyone being: Russ, Zay, Chris, Bev, Maurice, Lars, Audrey, and Rob

After two more days of valiant efforts (especially by Ian) the mountains weren't letting us fly from them so we limped back to the island.

All told, it was a successful trip. We just expected some sun.
The rivers and lakes were overflowing and the fruit crops are in danger so we shouldn't complain too much.

Bev took some great photos and has them in a Flickr set: HERE