Diamond Head Rules!

Today a bunch of us flew at Diamond Head in varying conditions, light to moderate south and southeast flow. A really great day of flying, especially after getting skunked the day before. Several of our prodigal sons from Seattle are back for a visit: Motorhead Paul and Scot both flew with us out there, along with Bruce from Denver who has visited us before.

After landing I spoke with a nice DLNR officer who had come out specifically to warn us not to hike and launch from the crater above the road. The crater is in the jurisdiction of the State Parks division, and we do not have a permit to launch there. The State Park rules require a permit for aircraft to be launched or landed in their parks. Pilots who continue to launch from the crater will face fines and confiscation of gear. Please refrain from hiking above the road and launching from the crater. Thank you.

In Between Rain Drops

In order to take advantage of the incessant rain and light southerly flow I have taken to hanging around Diamond Head. I know that brings to mind images of creepy dudes lurking about with that all too eager "Hi!" and the funny stare. Okay, so I might look like that, walking back and forth with no apparent agenda, but I did have a large backpack on which somehow makes it alright.

Yesterday, after talking to Mike Doyle about conditions, I launched into the southeast flow. I managed to scratch around for about an hour above the rim until the wind swung east and waned. I was just happy to get a little flight time.

Today, started out rainy and still so once again all work was cancelled. By 10am I noticed the trees moving briskly from a SSE direction. Off to Diamond Head and the path launch to find the trees had gotten taller and the wind seemed too west. I headed off to lunch while Bob came by and checked conditions and gave it a pass.

After lunch, I came back and saw a squall out east bringing the flow stronger and more straight in. I launched into strong slightly westerly conditions and had to work my way up on the other side of the lighthouse. I climbed my way to 1000' into very strong smooth air.

About this time some big and low squalls were bearing down on me. I figured I would head over to Kapiolani Park to sidestep them and maybe soar Waikiki if it looked good. The wind was 25 or more over Kapiolani Park and I couldn't escape the fact that I was downwind of the 15 story Colony Surf and all the other buildings there. I found myself bouncing down the last 200' or so. I land at the biggest LZ in town and it turns out to be the bumpiest. On top of that the black squalls with their opaque walls of rain decide to follow me there. 30 seconds after I land the squall does the same.

I waddle off to the nearest cover, which happens to be the bathrooms, and an all too neat Parks and Rec. guy informs me that I cannot "practice" paragliding in the park. I inform him that I am finished "practicising" for the day and apologize for the hassle I have caused.

The rain stops, I stuff my glider in the bag and I walk 300 yards and the ground is dry, I then realize that I flew into the path of the rain and I could have stayed dry in the air up top.

Don shows up, and I relaunch into lighter and more cross conditions, I am scratching away on the Funky when the people at the Lighthouse step out on the deck to watch. Aware of past episodes there I scratch around for a while and the people at the Lighthouse start returning my waves. I then fly past to the other side to work the better lift there I steadily climb for a while, until the lift starts to fade, I then head back over to launch side to scratch for way too long in fading conditions and effectively block Don from launching (Sorry Don). Eventually the lack of rising air and my ADD kick in and I sink out to the beach.

Then all my flying buddies show up and stand around with me, I even take a quick sledder to the beach (and the waiting naked guy) on their behalf.

All I have to show for the day is this goofy phone picture that comes out reversed. Anyone up for Friday?

Cloudplay at Makapuu

Yesterday was the best day of cloud surfing I've ever seen at Makapuu. We've flown days like this before, where a thin layer of wispy clouds forms below the ridgeline and streams up and over the ridge, but this time the clouds were thick and massive like real cumulus clouds. It's hard to describe the feeling of floating high over a vast swirling cloudbank that obscures the entire ridge. So instead I'll just let my pictures do the talking. I only had my old camera with me but it was better than nothing.

Fang Unleashed

Not to take away from the very important announcement below about Kahana ... but I felt the site needed some happy news. So I'll share these picks from a really nice flight that Don and Bob had.

We arrived in Auckland midday, then drove to a spot about 40 minutes SW of Auckland. Don knew the site well as he had had several epic flights here with the locals in the days before the rest of us arrived. This particular day we waited around, milled about, explored different sites, waited for locals to show, waited for the wind to turn, had lunch, waited for the wind to lighten up. Finally, we decided to hike up to check out a particular launch. Don and Bob brought their wings. I was skeptical. It was a short hike, so I opted to return for my wing if the conditions were right.

I sure was glad I hiked up (sans wing). Winds were pretty strong, gusting in the high 20's, but the terrain was beautiful. Grassy slopes on top of a black sand dune. Miles of beach as far as the eye could see.

Don brought out his new wing, "Fang", and even his sure hands struggled a bit in the high winds. But soon he was off, and going up fast. While he speed-barred out toward the water, Bob set up and soon joined him. They both stayed out high above the water, finding lift nearly all the way down the beach back to land by the waiting car. They should tell you more about how awesome it was, because I had to settle for a "flight" running along dune-top grassy cow trails trying to catch up with them.

Now don't forget to read the very important message about Kahana below ...

Important Notice: Kahana Permit Suspended

Our Kahana permit expired at the end of February. I have been working with the division of State Parks to renew it, and it was ready for my signature as of late last week. But before I could pick it up, they called to say they want to hold the permit until the beach fills back in. Today I called Dan Quinn, the director of the division, and he confirmed that he'd like to see the beach fill back in before our permit goes into effect this time. Due to the recent flooding and erosion, there's a lot less beach out there right now to be shared safely between all park users. Dan and I will monitor the regrowth of the beach and keep in touch, and we will get the permit in place as soon as we agree that the beach is big enough to handle all of the customary traffic. Thanks for your understanding.

Michael is selling his wing

Michael from Hungary is returning home soon and would like to sell his wing before he leaves. He gave me these details: It's a UP Vision Classic DHV 1-2, weight range 85-110kg, manufactured in 1998, with about 80 hours on it. The wing and the lines are in good shape. Good for beginners, very safe but also good for cross country or acro, it's fun to fly. Leaving the Island on the 8th of April. MUST SELL !! $800 / OBO. Call Mike at (808)457-8909.

PPG in Pepeekeo

Powered paragliding is growing in popularity on the Big Island as a way to enjoy our beautiful island paradise from above. Due to our gentle slopes, the opportunities for powered launches are much more abundant than without the motor. There is a growing group of pilots who fly regularly in the Pepeekeo area on the East side. Numerous waterfalls and endless green pastures make this area ideal for PPG. The tradewinds may be ripping past the coasts on both the south point and north ends of our island, but Onomea/Pepeekeo typically have very gentle or calm conditions year round.

Bill Heaner with WalkerJet out of Salt Lake was here last week training instuctors. Despite somewhat wet conditions, everybody enjoyed some breathtaking flights. People visiting the Big Island can contact me, Eric Weinert 896-2610 and I'll try to hook you up. I've only been at this for a year and a half, but I can direct you to some very experienced pilots.

Thanks to Alex and the windlines community for allowing us to post to your site and share our love of paragliding. From time to time I'll post pictures from different areas of our island.

Aloha, Eric

PS pictures are of myself over Onomea Bay looking back into Hilo Bay and of Bill Heaner set up for a launch from my front yard

Rescue courtesy call reminder

Anytime there is a botched launch or landing that might be mistakenly interpreted by any witnesses as a possible incident, please remember to call the Fire Department at 523-4411 to let them know you do not need any assistance. It's also good to call in advance if you are planning to launch anywhere where we normally get false alarm calls (Tomato launches at Makapuu, all Koko launches). Just give the guys your cell number so they can follow up with you if they get any calls. Please put the phone number on your cell phone now so it's there when you need it. You can also just call 911 to call off a potential response if you don't have the direct number.

A River Runs Through It

I woke up yesterday to find my neighborhood stream was overflowing its banks and rising to fill my street and surround my house. The highway was closed in multiple places and Dorothy and the kids couldn't get to school in town. Some of my neighbors had been digging sand all morning to open the stream to the ocean, and they got through just as the water was reaching the first step of my front porch. I took a picture just before the highest level was reached.

After the water on my street had receded, I braved the flooded highway to drive by Kahana later in the day, and there I saw that the center of the beach had been opened up to let the floodwaters out of the valley just like it was four years ago (as some of you will remember).

Today I went back to take some pictures to share with you guys. It's still possible to land here but the approach will be quite a bit trickier. You don't want to overshoot, or if you do, you should overshoot by a lot. Last time it took about six months before the ocean returned enough sand for us to use our customary landing zone again. Maybe this is a good chance for us all to make more frequent cross country trips, so we can enjoy some larger (and drier) landing zones!