These are a Few of My Favorite Things
Friday, July 13, 2012 at 9:01 Dion Vuk It just happened. Again.
17 seasons, thousands of paragliding flights, hundreds of different mountains spread amongst 12 countries worldwide: I still feel like a kid on boxing day every time a bulk shipment of new paragliders arrive from Germany.
No kidding. The sound of the exact-o knife cutting through the tape...the scent of new paraglider fabric...and then I tear the boxes apart in anticipation...
But why? Really? I've been thinking about this lately. It makes perfect sense.
Here is the secret: inside the box is pure joy.
And each new paragliding wing brings the promise of a new pilot with a first flight smile, an "aha" moment, and the start of a great pastime of flying adventures.
It just doesn't get any better than this.
This week we had some very special state-of-the-art paragliders in the shipment including the all new ICARO Cyber TE, Wildcat TE (Details to follow) and Maverick 2. Also some further refinements to the Energy Cross and Energy Light Harnesses. Rounded out with beautiful ICARO Fly Helmet and functional concertina bags.
Later on...
Russ was doing his first kiting session with his new Wildcat TE Thursday night at Vanier.
On Saturday morning we hit the slopes for slope soaring with the Wildcat TE getting its first low altitude flights in Russ's able hands, while the Cyber TE was softly lifting new student pilot, Tom Hakemi, into the third dimension.
Then mid-day we took the student group to Vanier for reverse launch and kiting practice. Still later on Saturday, Russ flew the Wildcat TE on its maiden high mountain flight!
Finally...on Sunday...Tom Hakemi took the Cyber TE through all its first paces with a gracefull first paragliding high mountain flight.
2000 ft vertical had him grinning ear to ear when he had a tip-toe landing in front of Russ.
So how would I describe a shipment of paragliders?
A box of pure elation!
Reader Comments (2)
I can see and feel through the photos that you are a very passionate para glider.
Keep it up. Soar high!
Love that picture of all the wings and other equipment ready to be distributed to lucky new pilots. I know Russ is loving his new wing!