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Published: August 15th 2005
Soaring Like an Eagle
Charles hang glides above me at an altitude of 800 + feet. August 14th 2005.
We decided to do the ultimate extreme. Hang glide. After pondering over what activities to do while in the South Island, Charles and I decided to look for a hang glider instructor. One cannot leave New Zealand, the land of endless extreme adventures without doing something wild and crazy. We called Nelson Hang gliding and spoke with Kevin. We felt confident and comfortable with Kevin after several personable phone calls and were impressed with his professional, yet personal knowledgeable attitude. He was the perfect fit.
We were serious about hang gliding- and seeing as we know nothing of hang gliding we were eager to find out about what we’d be doing. We decided to glide Sunday morning. Sadly, the wind speeds were too strong up at Takaka Hill, our first choice for a launch site. At takaka we would be running off a mountain and reaching altitudes of 2500 feet. However, we felt comforted in the fact that Kevin’s number one priority was our safety. So, we ended up driving to Motueka with Kevin and doing a tow launch from the motueka air strip. We were just happy to get up in the air!! John, Kevin’s
right wing man, towed us from a truck down the air strip, until we reached our maximum altitude of around 800 feet. Then Kevin dropped the rope and we continued to glide and reach even more altitude with proper wind speed. Charles went first, and I waved from the ground, I couldn’t believe he was flying above me 800 feet in the air!! What a sight! Incredible. I went next, and then we alternated once more, each getting two rides in. The feeling is indescribable. I got as close to flying like a bird as possible. The feeling of the wind hitting your face, and the weightlessness while gliding through the air is amazing. Up 800ft, we could see the Tasman Bay and Sea, Able Tasman national park, Kanarangi national Park, Richmond Mtn Range, Mtn Richmond, and mtn Arthur, City of nelson, and apple orchards and farmland. My head was on a constant swivel trying to absorb the whole experience. A glider is a fascinating thing, without the use of any complex technology one can shift bodyweight to turn the glider, no need for any special instruments or handles. No bells and whistles here. Kevin even let us fly th3e
glider each trip. It was a little nerving but easier then I imagined. At one point Kevin taught us how to stall the glider and do a mini freefall and acrobatics, 360’s and 180’s. Although the actual glide lasted for a mere 2 minutes each, (due to lack of proper wind speed),
It was an experience I will never forget. I appreciate how much work goes into gliding, the set up and take down of the glider took around 2 hours total. Not to mention the possible disappointment of having to pack up and leave if the weather changes. It is, like any extreme sport, an act of trust on Mother Nature, and total vulnerability of your self to nature.
I would advise anyone planning on hang gliding to do your research, and find a highly experienced and knowledgeable instructor. DO NOT attempt any type of glide that is not tandem. It is crucial to go with a person who is a professional. Find a proper gliding firm and a scenic launching site and go, you won’t regret it. It was absolutely amazing and I am still feeling like flying in my dreams. The sensations still there! What a
Safety First...
Putting on the harness time! Enjoy the pictures and I have video if anyone is interested…can’t load it to the site though.
Take care, till next time- Shelly (and Charles alongside)
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Mommy
non-member comment
Yikes!
WOW Shelly!! What an incredible experience it must have been to soar like an eagle high in the sky!! Yes, it looks like you're having quite the time of your life! I am so very happy for you, sweetie!