These are a Few of My Favorite Things

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!

iParaglide & WCSC Riverside LZ Work Party: June 24 09:00

Paraglider Pilots,  We're asking for volunteers for our work party in Riverside LZ, Sunday June 24 09:00: to tackle blackberries to prepare for routine mowing of this great paragliding LZ.  As last time, want to track number of volunteers and critical tools coming out.  Wanted in order of priority:  paraglider pilot volunteers!  gas powered hedge trimmer the ones with a long reach of teeth work best  brush cutters (like weed eater but with blade instead of wire at base) loose out 3:1 in production compared to the type above  HEAVY DUTY rakes  shovels, picks  pickup trucks & tarps to move cuttings   Please bring: work clothes that will protect you from brambles (coveralls etc) steel toes or work boots  gloves  bug dope  tons of water  picnic  complete change of clothes so you can paraglide after  Please let us know if you plan on attending and what specific tools/number of tools you are bringing well in advance so we can rent what else we need.  (Lack of tools means standing volunteers...)  Burt recently asked all paraglider pilots not to barbecue or smoke in his field for concern regarding fire safety: so sorry no barbecue this time (or ever in the field), but we encourage all to bring out picnics and any other beverage you may want...  We've got paragliding students coming out to fly, so the plan is to take turns bush whacking while not flying...  Bridal Falls Road work party had 19 come out, let's see if we can top that!

iParaglide Flight Club: June 1, 18:00 on

Paragliding Flight Club has been growing steadily with a great mix of free flyers, free spirits and their friends getting together on the first Friday of every second month.

We invite all down to this upcoming paragliding social evening. 

To  ensure maximum enjoyment, convenience and above all, safety, Flight Club Paragliding pilots social has been selected to be walking distance from Skytrain and in the heart of Yaletown's high energy venues.

Yaletown Brew Pub is at 1111 Mainland Street (Mainland@ Helmcken per blue location marker) one block north of Skytrain Roundhouse Station:

Street view of Yaletown Brew Pub. 

At the hostess stand ask for the paragliding "Flight Club" and we have a section reserved on the Pub side.

A great venue with good tunes, big screens, pool tables, good beer and great nooks to hang out and talk about free flying adventures.

We encourage all paraglider pilots to utilize public transit, and look forward to a flying Friday night!

iParaglide HPAC Instructor Certification Seminar: April 28, 29 & May 6

iParaglide is hosting an HPAC Paragliding Instructor Certification (and re-certification) Seminar on the weekends of April 28, 29 & May 6, 2012. (Please note that any modules that cannot be completed due to poor weather/wind will be re-scheduled on following weekends.)

This is designed to be a comprehensive "hands on" paragliding instructor certification seminar. You will be working closely with real students to learn how to teach fundamentals to pilots in an efficient and effective manner: so that students will have a positive experience, and feel secure and empowered. You will learn how to mentor at each of the locations that are the three pillars of a successful paragliding curriculum: the classroom; the training hill; and the mountain. We will work to maximize learning opportunities, adapting to what the wind and weather provides.

Cost is $474 for initial certification or $237 for re-certification. 

Locations:

• Instructor Theory: "The Space" Lounge, (1238 Seymour @ Davie, Vancouver), Buzzer "#0122".
• Training Hill and/or Kiting Practicum: Diefenbaker Park (1st Avenue @ 56th St, Tsawwassen) and/or Vanier Park (1905 Ogden Ave, Vancouver)
• Mountain Flying Practicum: Mt. Woodside (2226 Lougheed Highway, Agassiz)

Requirements for Paragliding Instructor Rating

Please bring any items you already have. Others you can acquire at a later date.

• Log book - photocopy of last page with total paragliding flights and air hours
• HPAC Intermediate Paragliding Rating: 25 hours, 150 flights, 10 sites
• HPAC paragliding membership card
• Transport Canada HAGAR Exam Results Photocopy
• Standard First Aid Certificate
• Assist a Paragliding Instructor 25 hours
• Paragliding Instructor Certification Seminar 24 hours
• Paragliding Reserve Seminar: HPAC recommended, iParaglide required
• Paragliding SIV Simulation of Flight Incidents Seminar: iParaglide required

April 28, 2012 (weather pending, we will adapt course modules to conditions)

06:00-07:00: Course Overview & Training Hill Mentoring (Deifenbaker Park)

07:00-11:00: Paragliding Training Hill Practicum (Deifenbaker Park) 

11:00-12:00: Lunch

12:00-13:30: Paragliding Mentoring Theory (iParaglide)

13:30-13:45: Break/Review

13:45-15:15: Paragliding Operations Theory (iParaglide)

15:15-15:30: Break/Review

15:30-17:00: Paragliding Content Theory (iParaglide)

April 29, 2012 (weather pending, we will adapt course modules to conditions)

07:00-08:00: The LZ Walkover Pre-flight Briefing (Riverside)

08:00-09:00: LZ walkover with students Practicum (Riverside)

09:00-12:00: Landing Guidance of Students Practicum (Riveside)

12:00-13:00: Lunch

13:00-14:30: Paragliding Practicum Lecture Presentations (TBA)

15:00-17:00: Kiting Practicum with Students (Rosedale)

May 6, 2012 (weather pending, we will adapt course modules to conditions)

08:00-09:00: The Launch Pre-flight Briefing (Woodside)

09:00-12:00: Launch Guidance of Students Practicum (Woodside)

12:00-13:00: Lunch

13:00-14:00: Instructor Seminar Synthesis: Mentoring, Content, Operations (TBA)

iParaglide Flight Club - Apr.13 18:00 - Yaletown Brew Pub

Paragliding Flight Club has been growing steadily with a great mix of free flyers, free spirits and their friends getting together on the first Friday of every second month.

We invite all down to this upcoming paragliding social evening and season opener: Friday April 13, 2012 from 18:00 onward. 

To  ensure maximum enjoyment, convenience and above all, safety, Flight Club Paragliding pilots social has been selected to be walking distance from Skytrain and in the heart of Yaletown's high energy venues.

Yaletown Brew Pub is at 1111 Mainland Street (Mainland@ Helmcken per blue location marker) one block north of Skytrain Roundhouse Station:

Street view of Yaletown Brew Pub. 

At the hostess stand ask for the paragliding "Flight Club" and we have a section reserved on the Pub side. 

A great venue with good tunes, big screens, pool tables, good beer and great nooks to hang out and talk about free flying adventures.

We encourage all paraglider pilots to utilize public transit, and look forward to a flying Friday night!