Hang Gliding & Paragliding Blogs

 When I tell people I hang glide they say, "that's a sport? I guess I always thought you just hang there." 

I built a flying contraption out of a brown paper bag...

This morning I was visualizing myself flying over beautiful scenery, piloting my own glider, with nothing but the birds to keep me company. I had every detail in mind with acute clarity, the azure sky, huge fluffy cummies, the smell of evergreen trees and freshly cut grass, wind in my face, consistent pressure on the control bar. Bumps to the left and right to maintain my heading. I was technically proficient and in total control of my glider. This is my meditation, my reason to get up in the morning. Sometimes I am at the beach, with the beauty and power of the ocean so close to the atmosphere in which I play. Perhaps I will land on the sand and go for a swim and do some body surfing. Sometimes I am in the mountains, and I can see the goats playing on the cliffs I dare not try to climb. It doesn’t matter. I drink it all in, observe everything with the same exhilaration and joy I felt the first time I experienced free flight. I smile, take a deep breath and think, “this is why you are here…right here, right now.”

Right here, right now, I am nowhere near achieving the reality of that gorgeous daydream. I’m mentally preparing for...

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a strong body = a strong pilot. I want that.

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 And what's she dreaming about? Her very own set of wings!

 I had a lovely weekend out at the airport recently. It was very quiet, the weather was great. It's actually a little unnerving not having the tug buzzing around up there, or seeing the gaggle which would have surely been up there with this indian summer weather. (Hello summer - where have you been for the last 3 months?) I had a go on the scooter tow line with good takeoffs, a few touch and goes, and some not so good landings. My landing gear needs a tune up! Darn legs, cooperate with me next time! Not just the legs, but the eyes too! "Target!" Don't look down, look at the target! Easy to say, not so easy to do. must practice that. I'm a bit clumsy and have compensated over the years by looking at my feet to make sure I'm not going to trip on anything. Now I have to unlearn that. Sigh. my knee is hurting but not busted up or anything really bad. I'm concerned that it will interfere with my massage training so I hope it heals quickly.

 Hang gliding is so much more than flying. It's a mindset. It's one of the many things that nurtures my soul and makes me thrilled to be alive and well. In the motorcycling community...

(by scootermaven on Wed May 13, 2009 11:03 am)Well, I am posting this a bit late, after the initial excitement and anticipation of actually finding out about hang gliding in Wisconsin of all places. I mean it's not really like we have any cliffs or mountains to run off. It's hard to take seriously "Run. Run Fast. Run Really Fast. And Don't Trip or Fall or YOU WILL DIE." when all you are doing is running down what is literally a pile of dirt. And RUNNING? I am not good at running, except if you count running out of hot water in the shower. But I did it. I actually FLEW a hang glider. With my own power and a bit of wind I managed to get off the ground. It was amazing, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. I'm hooked for life now. Or should I say carabinered?Later in the day the temperature started to rise and this caused the wind to become erratic and unpredictable from one moment to the next. My instructor Rik decided to call it a day which was fine by me since I was exhausted and ready to jump in a hot shower!Considering...

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