Articles
Thermic Bo Peep
By noon the wind was still strong but feeling much more appealing. The level of gusts had also reduced and a launch window had opened. Pilots were beginning to take to the skies and it wasn't long before I was ready and positioned at the front of the hill...
19 Apr 2015
By noon the wind was still strong but feeling much more appealing. The level of gusts had also reduced and a launch window had opened. Pilots were beginning to take to the skies and it wasn't long before I was ready and positioned at the front of the hill...
19 Apr 2015
Wills Wing U2:160
I bit the bullet and purchased my very first 'brand-new' glider, the Wills Wing U2 160 - here's my thoughts about this glider!
06 Feb 2015
I bit the bullet and purchased my very first 'brand-new' glider, the Wills Wing U2 160 - here's my thoughts about this glider!
06 Feb 2015
Aeros Target 16 Novice Hang Glider
My thoughts on the Aeros Target 16 hang glider, Aeros' glider aimed at novice and recreational pilots.
04 Feb 2015
My thoughts on the Aeros Target 16 hang glider, Aeros' glider aimed at novice and recreational pilots.
04 Feb 2015
Hard Going at the Dyke
I arrived at the Dyke for 13:00 and already gliders were in the air. There's wasn't much in the way of cloud but the wind was strong, so I decided to flat rig the U2. ..
24 Jan 2015
I arrived at the Dyke for 13:00 and already gliders were in the air. There's wasn't much in the way of cloud but the wind was strong, so I decided to flat rig the U2. ..
24 Jan 2015
Truleigh and Back - 4 Times!
I ran hard down the hill before I was lifted into the air. I re-checked airspace then turned left and followed the contour of the hill around the bowl and onto the north facing part of the ridge…
18 Jan 2015
I ran hard down the hill before I was lifted into the air. I re-checked airspace then turned left and followed the contour of the hill around the bowl and onto the north facing part of the ridge…
18 Jan 2015
Eddy Hopping
Article describing the Eddy Hopping technique for moving a group down a section of white water.
18 Jan 2015
Article describing the Eddy Hopping technique for moving a group down a section of white water.
18 Jan 2015
Leap Frog
Article describing the Leap Frog technique for moving a group down a section of white water.
18 Jan 2015
Article describing the Leap Frog technique for moving a group down a section of white water.
18 Jan 2015
Eskimo Rescue
Article describing the various techniques for righting a capsized kayak using the eskimo rescue technique. This is often used before the paddler has perfected rolling the kayak.
18 Jan 2015
Article describing the various techniques for righting a capsized kayak using the eskimo rescue technique. This is often used before the paddler has perfected rolling the kayak.
18 Jan 2015
Cartwheels
The cartwheel seems to be one of the first 'modern' play boat moves that most aspire to perfect. A cartwheel looks pretty impressive but in essence there's not a great deal to it - it's a series of sweep strokes with some careful edging and body rotation - it just takes a bit of practice to bring all the elements together and hey presto, you're there!
18 Jan 2015
The cartwheel seems to be one of the first 'modern' play boat moves that most aspire to perfect. A cartwheel looks pretty impressive but in essence there's not a great deal to it - it's a series of sweep strokes with some careful edging and body rotation - it just takes a bit of practice to bring all the elements together and hey presto, you're there!
18 Jan 2015
Wet Feet and a Christened Glider
Almost 3 months without flying and my frustrations with regard to not flying my new U2 160 were to be addressed today!
05 Dec 2014
Almost 3 months without flying and my frustrations with regard to not flying my new U2 160 were to be addressed today!
05 Dec 2014
Windy Firle
I arrived at Firle and as soon as I opened the car door, it was evident that the conditions had exceeded top end…
21 Sep 2014
I arrived at Firle and as soon as I opened the car door, it was evident that the conditions had exceeded top end…
21 Sep 2014
A Perfect Day at Bo Peep
I'd been very apprehensive about flying with my new harness and after studying many YouTube videos, exploring techniques others were using to climb up onto the uprights for landings - I was convinced of the need to change my own technique..
13 Sep 2014
I'd been very apprehensive about flying with my new harness and after studying many YouTube videos, exploring techniques others were using to climb up onto the uprights for landings - I was convinced of the need to change my own technique..
13 Sep 2014
The Wills Wing U2 and Phippsy!
After months of waiting, it was time to collect my new Wills Wing U2. The collection point was Sennen Cove in Cornwall where'd I'd planned to meet Graham Phipps of Cloud9 Hang Gliding, Paragliding and Paramotoring…
23 Aug 2014
After months of waiting, it was time to collect my new Wills Wing U2. The collection point was Sennen Cove in Cornwall where'd I'd planned to meet Graham Phipps of Cloud9 Hang Gliding, Paragliding and Paramotoring…
23 Aug 2014
The Bottom Landing Field is the Place to Be!
I must admit, my confidence in flying has been a little dented since my crash. For this reason, I had decided to revert to my old familiar harness…
14 Jun 2014
I must admit, my confidence in flying has been a little dented since my crash. For this reason, I had decided to revert to my old familiar harness…
14 Jun 2014
Return to Flight
Over two months since my crash and my glider is finally repaired with thanks to both John Barratt from South Downs Hang Gliding, and Steve Elkins from Avian…
08 Jun 2014
Over two months since my crash and my glider is finally repaired with thanks to both John Barratt from South Downs Hang Gliding, and Steve Elkins from Avian…
08 Jun 2014
Still Grounded - But Not for Much Longer!
Almost two months on and I'm still grounded. Due to the economic downturn in the European Union, the strength of the Australian Dollar compared to the UK pound is making AirBorne spare parts prohibitively expensive and in turn, problematic repairing my AirBorne Sting 3...
17 May 2014
Almost two months on and I'm still grounded. Due to the economic downturn in the European Union, the strength of the Australian Dollar compared to the UK pound is making AirBorne spare parts prohibitively expensive and in turn, problematic repairing my AirBorne Sting 3...
17 May 2014
My Hang Gliding Crash!
In retrospective, I should have listened to my inner voice and opted to fly another day but I feel fortunate enough that I was able to walk away from this one; even if my glider didn't…
23 Mar 2014
In retrospective, I should have listened to my inner voice and opted to fly another day but I feel fortunate enough that I was able to walk away from this one; even if my glider didn't…
23 Mar 2014
An Ugly Landing!
Out in front I spotted black birds all enjoying a thermal so advanced in their direction. As I bullied my way through they all dispersed in every conceivable direction and I was rewarded with a few beeps from my vario…
15 Mar 2014
Out in front I spotted black birds all enjoying a thermal so advanced in their direction. As I bullied my way through they all dispersed in every conceivable direction and I was rewarded with a few beeps from my vario…
15 Mar 2014
The Myth Debut
As I ran down the hill the glider lifted above me, much more than I was used to. For a moment I feared that I hadn't attached my leg loops but then I felt a reassuring grip as the leg straps went taught…
30 Nov 2013
As I ran down the hill the glider lifted above me, much more than I was used to. For a moment I feared that I hadn't attached my leg loops but then I felt a reassuring grip as the leg straps went taught…
30 Nov 2013
Soaring in the Rain
As I drove down the A23, I saw nimbostratus clouds reaching towards the top of Truleigh Hill and a gold band of light sandwiched in between. ..
24 Nov 2013
As I drove down the A23, I saw nimbostratus clouds reaching towards the top of Truleigh Hill and a gold band of light sandwiched in between. ..
24 Nov 2013
November Northerlies
The air wasn't particularly buoyant but there were November thermals; small awkward punchy ones that occasionally kicked the glider around if you caught the edge of one, but if you persevered with them, they rewarded you with 300-400 foot height gains…
23 Nov 2013
The air wasn't particularly buoyant but there were November thermals; small awkward punchy ones that occasionally kicked the glider around if you caught the edge of one, but if you persevered with them, they rewarded you with 300-400 foot height gains…
23 Nov 2013
The Missing Sense and a Close Shave!
It was an incredible sight when I arrived at the Dyke and saw so many hang gliders - I believe there were 27 on the hill! Some rigged, some were being rigged but no one had yet taken to the air as the wind was top end and blowed from a north westerly direction. It was however, forecast to drop off later...
11 Nov 2013
It was an incredible sight when I arrived at the Dyke and saw so many hang gliders - I believe there were 27 on the hill! Some rigged, some were being rigged but no one had yet taken to the air as the wind was top end and blowed from a north westerly direction. It was however, forecast to drop off later...
11 Nov 2013
The Accident
I looked down with horror as the dust settled and revealed a motionless pilot pinned under the wreck of the glider. It suddenly dawned on me that this was serious and there was no-one in the immediate vicinity to get to him…
29 Sep 2013
I looked down with horror as the dust settled and revealed a motionless pilot pinned under the wreck of the glider. It suddenly dawned on me that this was serious and there was no-one in the immediate vicinity to get to him…
29 Sep 2013
An Evening at Swanborough
As I launched for the second time, the air certainly felt more buoyant and I was soon established high above those chatting on top of the hill…
27 Sep 2013
As I launched for the second time, the air certainly felt more buoyant and I was soon established high above those chatting on top of the hill…
27 Sep 2013
A Sunset Delight
As the sun began to set I spotted a kestrel and decided to follow it around the sky. Needless to say, this little nimble sky god flew circles around me but I enjoyed the moment…
10 Sep 2013
As the sun began to set I spotted a kestrel and decided to follow it around the sky. Needless to say, this little nimble sky god flew circles around me but I enjoyed the moment…
10 Sep 2013
Something is Leaking!
The flexies on the other hand, were pretty much glued to the ridge with the occasional escape attempts being made…
31 Aug 2013
The flexies on the other hand, were pretty much glued to the ridge with the occasional escape attempts being made…
31 Aug 2013
White-water Rafting at the Lee Valley White-water Centre
I share my Christmas present with Daniel S. and we both go off to explore rafting at the Lee Valley White-water Centre
07 Jul 2013
I share my Christmas present with Daniel S. and we both go off to explore rafting at the Lee Valley White-water Centre
07 Jul 2013
A Prolonged Sled Ride
As I returned to the launch, I started to low. To my surprise, although unable to climb, I was able to soar back and forth along the tree line that bordered the bottom landing field, much to the annoyance of a couple that appeared to be making out in the corner of the field directly beneath me
01 Jun 2013
As I returned to the launch, I started to low. To my surprise, although unable to climb, I was able to soar back and forth along the tree line that bordered the bottom landing field, much to the annoyance of a couple that appeared to be making out in the corner of the field directly beneath me
01 Jun 2013
Truleigh and Traffic
Eventually my paragliding pursuers caught up with me, so I decided to leave them to enjoy Truleigh Hill to themselves and set off back along the ridge…
31 May 2013
Eventually my paragliding pursuers caught up with me, so I decided to leave them to enjoy Truleigh Hill to themselves and set off back along the ridge…
31 May 2013
