PLF: Parachute Landing Fall - although we usually have soft landings, occasionally we may find ourselves coming in to land too quickly to "run it out". In this case your best choice is to roll onto your side as soon as you touchdown to dissipate that energy and save your knees for another day!
Paragliding:
a visual journey
Follow along with us as adventurers take to the skies for the first time on a tandem, learn valuable paragliding skills or even catch a glimpse of pilots just goofing around!
We got up to some shenanigans after talking GPS & XC yesterday! What better way to practice PLF landings than by jumping off a ledge onto soft gym mats? Here's an action shot of Nicole "mid-flight" (and yes, everyone had safe landings!)
PLF: Parachute Landing Fall - although we usually have soft landings, occasionally we may find ourselves coming in to land too quickly to "run it out". In this case your best choice is to roll onto your side as soon as you touchdown to dissipate that energy and save your knees for another day!
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Great weather for more kiting and ground school as the spring winds were too unpredictable for flying today. I still think this is the most fun way to get in your cardio for the day! What do you do on a sunny Sunday when the winds are perfect for kiting? The answer is easy...you teach! We had a fun intro session yesterday and are making the most of this dry weather. Join us next time you're in Chilliwack!
The sun is shining and the long range forecast looks amazing! This early spring is blowing my mind...this is the earliest in the season I've ever booked a tandem. Hope to see you out there this weekend!
I was looking for some friends to fly with on Sunday, but the only pilots coming out were planning a hike & fly. Still nursing my tweaked knee (that I got from hiking! See? Flying is so much safer!) I couldn't join in so decided to go kite my student wings instead. Taking the long way to the training hill so I could pass Mt Woodside, I soon heard from one pilot already on launch looking for a ride up to retrieve after he flew, then another on his way out. Perfect! Hammer & I had to wait a bit for an uphill breeze and then we both got to fly.
Here's a GoPro screenshot as I do a quick shoulder check before starting my reverse inflation. I got to fly through a few wispies before they disappeared...one of my favourite things! After seeing this video where a pilot missed a crucial step in his pre-flight (he looped his speedbar line through his reserve handle, causing an accidental deployment when he stepped on bar while flying!), it made me think about all the times pilots sometimes hurry on launch either because conditions look great or there are people waiting to take-off. This is a good reminder to take the time you need...safety is always the priority!
Here is a picture of my launch helper William (who came tandem with me for his birthday a couple of years ago) who helped sort out my lines. A second set of eyes is always helpful, and after a double check I was good to go! Keep an eye on your buddies, and don't be shy to speak up if you see something that doesn't look right! Sunday February 22nd...mark that day on your calendars! Skywalk Team Pilot and owner of Jet Set Paragliding Martina Lang will host a casual get together to learn your instruments, check out some used gear (bring yours to sell!) and talk about XC plans for the upcoming season. More info at this link. Come join us!
Thanks to Chief Instructor Adam Gibson from Sun Hang Do Chilliwack for letting me rent this awesome space! Can't wait to practice some PLF's on that mat ;) This winter has been stunning on the West Coast of Canada. No thermals to keep you up in the air, but the sun's warmth has been strong enough to heat the front of launch and send up nice cycles to take off in. Loving life in BC! Inspired by a woman who will be coming tandem with me this year, I finally sat down and started going through all the GoPro footage I've kept over the years of my paragliding flights. Giggling at some of the "unique" ways passengers ran off the mountain, I put together this little video. Visit the Jet Set Paragliding Vimeo and YouTube pages for more! Sometimes the most fun you can have is in your own backyard. Last week I managed to out-fly our local "sky god" and even though we're comparing flights in minutes and seconds instead of hours these days, I have to admit that getting the whole "we're not worthy!" arm wave from the man himself made me feel like a champ.
Laugh every day, and you'll find life can be the best adventure :) |
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