Tomorrow morning I head to Europe . . . . finally! After a month of solid practice on the FLX over the lake and especially at Mussel Rock, it's time to do this shit for real!
First stop is Frankfurt, Germany to buy a car, then a few days of hanging out before my first comp in Norway. While I'm registered for Acrolac (first stop of the APWC), I'm on the waiting list, which means I won't know until 6 p.m. the day before the start if I'll be allowed to compete. You see, in acro comps, ranked pilots get in first. If the number of ranked pilots who show up is under the maximum of pilots the comp will take, THEN the unranked pilots get their shot by first passing a "safety selection" flight (ensures you know what you're doing). Pass the selection flight and you're in. If I went to Acrolac, it would at best 50/50 that I'd compete. By going to the Norway comp, I accomplish 2 crucial things: 1) I'm assured I'll get to compete, and 2) I'll get a ranking since it's categorized as FAI Cat2. Hopefully, this will make things MUCH easier for Austria, Italy, and the test event for the 2009 WAG near Turin.
I'll be putting up more vid on YouTube of my latest exploits at Mussel Rock soon. I've been testing out my "shin cam" on an HD camera I got recently and have some great on-board video of a helico-SAT and a helico-helico.
See you Norway!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Ozone FLX
I finally got it yesterday. While I kited it a lot, today was the first time I got to fly and test it out.
But things didn't start out so great.
Firstly, the FLX has trimmers which gives it essentially 3 speeds: acro, super acro, and infinity. Secondly, the coast was nuking pretty good and northy. As I flew low close to the cliffs with the trimmers off, I'm sure I caught a bit of rotor which caused the wing to frontal, dropping me about on the cliff about 30 ft. above the beach, and right on my neck and shoulders. Reminded me when I got slammed doing throws in jiu-jitsu.
Luckily, the tide was out (I knew this beforehand) and landed/rolled on the beach. More importantly, the FLX wasn't damaged and it didn't get dirty at all! Nonetheless, I'm going to be fucking sore tomorrow.
Instead of calling it a day, I re-launched from Walker which is important because I didn't want to think about the accident and get intimated by it. But this time, I launched with the trimmers on "acro" which enabled me to penetrate and get up. (I think with the trimmers pulled all the way in, it's slightly slower than the 6907.) After a few wingovers and halfpipes, I decided to try some helicos. It took me a few attempts to find the parachutal point, but once I did, I had them dialed perfect. That thing helis SO fast, but I guess at 15 meters open, it's supposed to!
I'm looking forward to another good day on the coast to take it up and practice more. But even more exciting is that I'm going towing for 3 days this weekend. My plan is to spend the first day making sure I do tailslides, full stalls, misty flips, helicos, and dial in all the combo tricks. Then days 2 & 3 I will focus solely on the rhythmic SAT and if that goes well . . . . on to the Infinitron!
But things didn't start out so great.
Firstly, the FLX has trimmers which gives it essentially 3 speeds: acro, super acro, and infinity. Secondly, the coast was nuking pretty good and northy. As I flew low close to the cliffs with the trimmers off, I'm sure I caught a bit of rotor which caused the wing to frontal, dropping me about on the cliff about 30 ft. above the beach, and right on my neck and shoulders. Reminded me when I got slammed doing throws in jiu-jitsu.
Luckily, the tide was out (I knew this beforehand) and landed/rolled on the beach. More importantly, the FLX wasn't damaged and it didn't get dirty at all! Nonetheless, I'm going to be fucking sore tomorrow.
Instead of calling it a day, I re-launched from Walker which is important because I didn't want to think about the accident and get intimated by it. But this time, I launched with the trimmers on "acro" which enabled me to penetrate and get up. (I think with the trimmers pulled all the way in, it's slightly slower than the 6907.) After a few wingovers and halfpipes, I decided to try some helicos. It took me a few attempts to find the parachutal point, but once I did, I had them dialed perfect. That thing helis SO fast, but I guess at 15 meters open, it's supposed to!
I'm looking forward to another good day on the coast to take it up and practice more. But even more exciting is that I'm going towing for 3 days this weekend. My plan is to spend the first day making sure I do tailslides, full stalls, misty flips, helicos, and dial in all the combo tricks. Then days 2 & 3 I will focus solely on the rhythmic SAT and if that goes well . . . . on to the Infinitron!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Better, Not Perfect
The coast has just been sick lately.
Over the last couple of weeks, we've flown around 7 - 8 days and I've been getting in 4-5 hour practice days with at least 25 - 30 refills each session. While I don't have my left helicos comp-ready yet, thanks to these awesome days I know I'll have it soon. My goal each day is not to get them perfect, but to just get them better. With spring here and the flying simply awesome so far, I'm ahead of schedule as far as nailing my left helicos. Interspersed with the lefties, I'm mixing in some righties and stopping them on a dime, which prepares me for twisters (switch helicos). Once the lefties are solid, the twister comes next. Sometimes I'm able to get high and far enough from the cliff that I can practice some combo moves such as the helico-SAT and even the helico-helico. But one combo trick I haven't tried yet is the SAT-helico which I'll start soon, provided I have the distance.
If I can nail these tricks on the coast in April, then I can focus on the rhythmic and the infinitron when I go towing. If I can put together a rhythmic-infinitron-SAT-twister routine, that would be absolutely sick.
But I need to dial in the leftside helicos first.
Today was hilarious because while I was in the air, the fire department came. I'm sure one of the caring neighbors at Westlake saw me in helico and I thought I was in trouble when I disappeared below the cliff and out-of-sight. Oops.
I think this is #3 for me this season.
Over the last couple of weeks, we've flown around 7 - 8 days and I've been getting in 4-5 hour practice days with at least 25 - 30 refills each session. While I don't have my left helicos comp-ready yet, thanks to these awesome days I know I'll have it soon. My goal each day is not to get them perfect, but to just get them better. With spring here and the flying simply awesome so far, I'm ahead of schedule as far as nailing my left helicos. Interspersed with the lefties, I'm mixing in some righties and stopping them on a dime, which prepares me for twisters (switch helicos). Once the lefties are solid, the twister comes next. Sometimes I'm able to get high and far enough from the cliff that I can practice some combo moves such as the helico-SAT and even the helico-helico. But one combo trick I haven't tried yet is the SAT-helico which I'll start soon, provided I have the distance.
If I can nail these tricks on the coast in April, then I can focus on the rhythmic and the infinitron when I go towing. If I can put together a rhythmic-infinitron-SAT-twister routine, that would be absolutely sick.
But I need to dial in the leftside helicos first.
Today was hilarious because while I was in the air, the fire department came. I'm sure one of the caring neighbors at Westlake saw me in helico and I thought I was in trouble when I disappeared below the cliff and out-of-sight. Oops.
I think this is #3 for me this season.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Bad . . . .
These aren't really THAT bad, but just some minor disappointments:
- I don't get to go FLYPA this year with Team Ozone. Since I'm still a relative unknown in Europe, the organizers didn't want to pay for another US plane ticket to Tenerife. (There are 3 going already.) I saw the list of who's going and one of them is a BASE jumper which would make 2 and 1 paragliding pilot. I guess someone would rather pay to see more BASE jumping than acro paragliding . . . . whatev. Hopefully I'll change their minds after this summer.
- The 2008 World Acro Championships at Vertigo Voss, Norway has been cancelled. The organizers just couldn't get the sponsors together. While it's disappointing that I won't get a chance to get a world ranking this summer, what's more disconcerting is that they couldn't get sponsors in Norway where "extreme" sports are very popular. Thankfully, the other comps are still happening or else my trip would be a bust.
As I mentioned, just setbacks. Other than these, life is just fucking great.
- I don't get to go FLYPA this year with Team Ozone. Since I'm still a relative unknown in Europe, the organizers didn't want to pay for another US plane ticket to Tenerife. (There are 3 going already.) I saw the list of who's going and one of them is a BASE jumper which would make 2 and 1 paragliding pilot. I guess someone would rather pay to see more BASE jumping than acro paragliding . . . . whatev. Hopefully I'll change their minds after this summer.
- The 2008 World Acro Championships at Vertigo Voss, Norway has been cancelled. The organizers just couldn't get the sponsors together. While it's disappointing that I won't get a chance to get a world ranking this summer, what's more disconcerting is that they couldn't get sponsors in Norway where "extreme" sports are very popular. Thankfully, the other comps are still happening or else my trip would be a bust.
As I mentioned, just setbacks. Other than these, life is just fucking great.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Good . . . .
I'm finally making this current. Since my Colombia trip, here's some sh-t that's happened:
The Good
- I'm on the Ozone website now. Check it out here. Since it's not mentioned, I must give action photo credit to Loren Cox.
- I bought my flight to Europe. I'm fully committed. Now I just need to make sure I can get a car!
- After some prodding from friends, I now have some of my acro stuff on YouTube - it's not everything I've done, but most of it. This is from towing I did last weekend where I nailed some transitions - super important for comps. On the first day, I actually did a tumble-helico combination that was just sick, but this PPGer Ryan didn't have his camera set yet - SUCKS! Here's a compilation video of stuff I did last year, with some beautiful music by Thievery Corporation.
- This morning I got an email from Matt Gerdes (Ozone Team manager) with a shipping notice . . . . I'm FINALLY getting the FLX. Should be here by month's end. I'm really glad it's coming as I'll get a few months to train on it before heading to Europe. With enough practice, maybe I'll be doing this in 2008.
- Chris Santacroce and the O'Connors have talked since last year about having a spring acro "comp" in CA, similar to WOBL last year. Most of the acro peeps on the West Coast know about it and hopefully they'll come. Maybe the Point boys will show up but I doubt it. Nothing's set but the weekend of May 3-4 is being penciled in.
- I bought a practically new Aerodyne skydiving rig (3 jumps only) for a great price: Icon Sport container, Pilot 150 main, Smart 135 reserve, and a Cypress 2. Even though it REALLY hurt to fork over the cash for this, I need to remind myself that it'll pay for itself in 5 years or less, depending on how many times I jump per year. By having my own gear, I can buy 50 jumps in bulk, making Lodi cost only $13/jump. By having to rent, I'll pay $35. And plus, there's all that pride of ownership and piece of mind crap.
That's all I can think of flying-related for now.
Expect to see The Bad in my next post.
The Good
- I'm on the Ozone website now. Check it out here. Since it's not mentioned, I must give action photo credit to Loren Cox.
- I bought my flight to Europe. I'm fully committed. Now I just need to make sure I can get a car!
- After some prodding from friends, I now have some of my acro stuff on YouTube - it's not everything I've done, but most of it. This is from towing I did last weekend where I nailed some transitions - super important for comps. On the first day, I actually did a tumble-helico combination that was just sick, but this PPGer Ryan didn't have his camera set yet - SUCKS! Here's a compilation video of stuff I did last year, with some beautiful music by Thievery Corporation.
- This morning I got an email from Matt Gerdes (Ozone Team manager) with a shipping notice . . . . I'm FINALLY getting the FLX. Should be here by month's end. I'm really glad it's coming as I'll get a few months to train on it before heading to Europe. With enough practice, maybe I'll be doing this in 2008.
- Chris Santacroce and the O'Connors have talked since last year about having a spring acro "comp" in CA, similar to WOBL last year. Most of the acro peeps on the West Coast know about it and hopefully they'll come. Maybe the Point boys will show up but I doubt it. Nothing's set but the weekend of May 3-4 is being penciled in.
- I bought a practically new Aerodyne skydiving rig (3 jumps only) for a great price: Icon Sport container, Pilot 150 main, Smart 135 reserve, and a Cypress 2. Even though it REALLY hurt to fork over the cash for this, I need to remind myself that it'll pay for itself in 5 years or less, depending on how many times I jump per year. By having my own gear, I can buy 50 jumps in bulk, making Lodi cost only $13/jump. By having to rent, I'll pay $35. And plus, there's all that pride of ownership and piece of mind crap.
That's all I can think of flying-related for now.
Expect to see The Bad in my next post.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Colombia - final thoughts
I'm way behind on blogging but I'll pick up where I left while keeping it brief.
Ruitoque in Colombia is a great place to practice thermals, kiting, and top-loading. I specifically went there to check out its acro potential. While the site where Richi has his hostel is great, and you'll almost always fly every day, don't expect to go XC often and get high to practice heavy acro. There were only a few times where I got high enough to really throw down - the refills are few and the only time to get altitude with an acro glider is when it's nuking and rough. Not a great combo that we acro pilots like.
So, if you're looking for a PG vacation where flying's a daily occurrence but you don't need to go XC or practice acro (and don't mind paying a lot), then Richi's got the place. But, anything more than that, and you'll be disappointed. It was great hanging out with Richi - his positive energy is infectious! - but I doubt I'll be going back just for the flying.
Ruitoque in Colombia is a great place to practice thermals, kiting, and top-loading. I specifically went there to check out its acro potential. While the site where Richi has his hostel is great, and you'll almost always fly every day, don't expect to go XC often and get high to practice heavy acro. There were only a few times where I got high enough to really throw down - the refills are few and the only time to get altitude with an acro glider is when it's nuking and rough. Not a great combo that we acro pilots like.
So, if you're looking for a PG vacation where flying's a daily occurrence but you don't need to go XC or practice acro (and don't mind paying a lot), then Richi's got the place. But, anything more than that, and you'll be disappointed. It was great hanging out with Richi - his positive energy is infectious! - but I doubt I'll be going back just for the flying.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Colombia - first thoughts
Colombia is pretty cool to live that "paragliding lifestyle" - Richi's got this hostel thing set up pretty sweet. While I'm only camping, I still get to use the kitchen and bathroom - great practice for Europe. And there's wireless! In fact, the whole city of Bucaramanga, which we overlook, is entirely wireless. WTF is up, SF?
The flying's great for those who don't get smooth stuff like we do on the coast but who also want to learn some thermalling. There are some easy thermals in front of launch and marked often by the "chulos", or vultures. Everyone flies before 12 and then after 4. Btwn 12-4 is way too windy and turbulent for almost everyone, but this is the time I fly since it's the only way I can stay up and get refills. It's the most turbulent air I've ever had to practice acro in so it makes trying new stuff pretty difficult.
(Did I forget to mention the weather? It's so warm here that I've been flying with just shorts, a t-shirt, and no gloves. Last time I did that was in '05 in Bali.)
Anyways, I only got really high a few times enough to feel comfortable doing tumbles and combo tricks. But one of the things I'm getting LOTS of practice in are ground sprials . . . . lots. Since I'm the only flying from 12-4 (dnk about the weekends, we'll see), I get the entire grass launch/LZ to myself. While I've found many ways NOT to do it (as evidenced by my harness and leg scrapings), I've almost got it dialed to where I'm probably 6 inches short of getting the stabilo touch, which is one of my goals for the trip. Today I've got to turn the 6907 tighter and I'm sure I'll nail it. Then it's to the left side . . . . wax on, wax off.
One thing I'm regretting is not bringing my Addict. I sank out 2x today on the 6907, and since no one had a small Ozone wing I could fly all the time, I had to borrow one of the local's Niviuk Artik R. Of course, I had to heli it and nailed a perfect one my first try. WOW . . . . that thing helis good. Reminded me of the Aspen.
I finally tried the Oregon Scientific ATC2K camera on my foot mod'ed with a super wide angle lens. Not only was it difficult to keep it centered and still, but when I did do it, the framing wasn't very good. I definitely need to see how the Parateam guys did it with the knee brace. The only good vid I got was a pretty sweet ground spiral I did, but then I broke the mount when I landed later.
A not-so good ATC2K video of that ground spiral.
Yesterday, I went w/some locals to a place called Chicamocha which is the "Colombian Grand Canyon" - they were taking a videographer and a photographer up on tandems. Launch is about 3000 ft above the river and you can obviously get above that by thermalling. I was able to throw down several times and had a rhythmic chopping pretty good. Then, I had an awesome low save which enabled me to top land with everyone else.
Weekend's coming and it should be a zoo as the locals do lots of tandems. Hopefully I can squeeze more practice in the afternoon.
The flying's great for those who don't get smooth stuff like we do on the coast but who also want to learn some thermalling. There are some easy thermals in front of launch and marked often by the "chulos", or vultures. Everyone flies before 12 and then after 4. Btwn 12-4 is way too windy and turbulent for almost everyone, but this is the time I fly since it's the only way I can stay up and get refills. It's the most turbulent air I've ever had to practice acro in so it makes trying new stuff pretty difficult.
(Did I forget to mention the weather? It's so warm here that I've been flying with just shorts, a t-shirt, and no gloves. Last time I did that was in '05 in Bali.)
Anyways, I only got really high a few times enough to feel comfortable doing tumbles and combo tricks. But one of the things I'm getting LOTS of practice in are ground sprials . . . . lots. Since I'm the only flying from 12-4 (dnk about the weekends, we'll see), I get the entire grass launch/LZ to myself. While I've found many ways NOT to do it (as evidenced by my harness and leg scrapings), I've almost got it dialed to where I'm probably 6 inches short of getting the stabilo touch, which is one of my goals for the trip. Today I've got to turn the 6907 tighter and I'm sure I'll nail it. Then it's to the left side . . . . wax on, wax off.
One thing I'm regretting is not bringing my Addict. I sank out 2x today on the 6907, and since no one had a small Ozone wing I could fly all the time, I had to borrow one of the local's Niviuk Artik R. Of course, I had to heli it and nailed a perfect one my first try. WOW . . . . that thing helis good. Reminded me of the Aspen.
I finally tried the Oregon Scientific ATC2K camera on my foot mod'ed with a super wide angle lens. Not only was it difficult to keep it centered and still, but when I did do it, the framing wasn't very good. I definitely need to see how the Parateam guys did it with the knee brace. The only good vid I got was a pretty sweet ground spiral I did, but then I broke the mount when I landed later.
A not-so good ATC2K video of that ground spiral.
Yesterday, I went w/some locals to a place called Chicamocha which is the "Colombian Grand Canyon" - they were taking a videographer and a photographer up on tandems. Launch is about 3000 ft above the river and you can obviously get above that by thermalling. I was able to throw down several times and had a rhythmic chopping pretty good. Then, I had an awesome low save which enabled me to top land with everyone else.
Weekend's coming and it should be a zoo as the locals do lots of tandems. Hopefully I can squeeze more practice in the afternoon.
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