Support the 2009 US Paragliding Team

Please consider making a donation to the US team - five of our country's very best competition pilots (and two experienced team leaders) have been selected to represent us against the world's best financed teams in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, in January of next year. Please take a minute to read the team's letter below, and click through to the team website to show your support.

Dear Paragliding Pilots and Friends:

U. S. Paragliding Team, a Nevada Non-Profit Corporation, has been set up under the rules of IRS 501(c)3 to help subsidize the expenses of the U.S. Paragliding Team’s participation in the World Paragliding Championships which are held every two years at various locations all over the planet. On January 23rd through February 7, 2009, the World Paragliding Championships will be held in Valle de Bravo, Mexico: www.pwmex2009.com.

I had the honor of attending the last World Paragliding Championships in Manilla, Australia and it would not have been possible for me without the creation of this Non-Profit Corporation and the unbelievable generosity of the paragliding community. Now it's my turn to give back and help raise the money for the new 2009 U.S. Paragliding Team. Please help me spread the word and reach "Our" goal.

This year’s U.S. Paragliding Team includes Eric Reed, Matt 'Farmer' Beechinor, Brad Gunnuscio, Josh Cohn and Kari Castle. The Team Leaders are Rob Sporrer and Jeff Huey (thanks to you both for taking this on!). As you well know, these spots were hard fought over the last 2 years with the highest caliber flying I have ever witnessed in U.S. competition history. All of these pilots have worked extremely hard to earn their position on the U.S. Paragliding Team. The U.S. team also won the Pre-Worlds (warm-up event to the World Championships) in Valle this year against a very strong international field, AND we had 2 members on the podium at Monarca Competition just a few days before. There is no doubt they have an excellent chance to be on the podium as individuals and as a team. It is now our job to help them in their quest to represent the United States of America in this World arena!

This event is over two weeks long. Besides being mentally and physically demanding, it also demands a substantial financial commitment. The estimated cost for our U. S. Team and team leaders to participate in this year's World Championships is $15,000.00. It is up to us to help lighten the burden for our team and for all U.S. Paragliding Teams to come. Please support our team by visiting usparaglidingteam.org and making a donation to this non-profit corporation.

We have raised approximately $6,750 as of October 13, 2008, so we are on our way to reach our goal of $15,000.00, but we won't make it without you.

U.S. Paragliding Team, a Nevada Non-Profit Corporation, is hoping that all United States Paragliding pilots will take pride in their team and donate money to the team. Donations in any amount are welcome and appreciated. These donations are tax deductible. Thank you in advance for your support.

All members of this non-profit corporation are volunteers and are not paid for their time and services. All funds raised from donations go directly to the U.S. Team to subsidize their participation in World Championship competition.

WE KINDLY ASK YOU TO PLEASE FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO YOUR PARAGLIDING CLUB AND ALL PARAGLIDER PILOTS IN YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS BOOK.

Please remember, we need the support of the paragliding community to make this work!!!

Thank you all for making this dream possible!

Bill Belcourt, President
U.S. Paragliding Team, a Nevada Non-Profit Corporation
http://www.usparaglidingteam.org

It's called the "Crown Jewel" for a reason

To give you an idea of how often Diamond Head is flyable, the last time I got to enjoy it, I flew with Johan, Ike, and Alex - while Jetflap was helping on launch mending from a broken back & wrist. And I fly often - at least on the east side – only sailing and business trips get in the way. When I checked Sandy's Monday morning it was due south and Alex's earlier post "...the guys will be watching to see enough S for DH (10+mph)." was gnawing on my mind.

I arrived at Gardens at 11 am and it was perfectly straight in so I got out the phone and started calling. Only problem was I had a new phone w/ only two PG's in the directory – One-Eye and RT. I called Jim, knowing he was on the mainland, so he could call others but I got his recording. I called Ryan knowing he would probably be with Reaper and they could let everyone know. He was, fortunately, just down the street prepping to surf Waikiki. He promptly posted a notice to Windlines and headed over.

It was tough, but I waited for him since he wasn't too sure of the location. To let you know how good it was, you could launch from the edge without someone holding your wing up – the wind was blowing that good. He went straight up and I followed. It was so strange flying the "Crown Jewel" again that I felt like I was doing something illegal and kept waiting for the keystones to pay a visit. The tourists were definitely in awe, as Ryan thrilled them with low passes, SAT's and wingovers.

The lift was as good as the bowl in Makapu'u – you could get below launch and get back up to the tourist on the top bunker of DH where I realized I had given Ryan incorrect info – I told him the ceiling for us was 2000' but after I made a pass by those tourists I realized my mistake and radioed the correct altitude – 1000'. No problem, Ryan was busy enjoying what he calls "free refills". (This is a thermal pilot's reference to our ridge flying capability)

I kept looking down to the parking lot waiting for pilots to arrive. Fireman was first and launched with gear I had never seen before – no wonder, it was always in California with his then girlfriend, now bride – a bright orange wing with a very minimal harness and an even more minimal helmet. He joined us for a while and I landed at the LZ which is perfect now – the lower part is still cluttered with small brush but the top part is nice and clear. Ryan landed soon after at the LZ and we headed over to Gardens to assist newly arrived pilots on their take off. Too late! The window was closed and Fireman bombed out on the beach – game over.

That's why it is the "Crown Jewel" - you can't fly it often, and usually the flying window is very short. Just look at the wind numbers from HNL airport that morning: 09:53 S 7mph; 10:53 S 12mph; 11:53 S 14mph; 12:53 S 12mph; 13:53 S 9mph. So only from 11:00 to around 13:30, the "Crown Jewel" was open for business.

Looks can be deceiving....

So, I started this fateful day out by making the drive out to Kahana around 10am or so, only to find it completely washed out with squalls. So, I grabbed Marc and Ray and we headed to Lanikai where the winds seemed to be a little better. Once we got to the LZ we realized it too was a bit too strong and flyin' didn't seem to be on the agenda, so we settled for pupus at Reapers. After about an hour of football highlights and a bunch of BS'n, I checked the winds only to find to my suprise that the wind gods had answered our prayers...We were goin' flyin' !!!

Here we go again, second trip out to KNA... I spoke with Alex and he too assured me its lookin' good and would soon be joinin' the caravan at launch. I arrived shortly after 3pm and did a wind check at the LZ...guess what? Super light! but doable. So I started the dismal hike and made it to low, then mid and finally upper launch, where I was soon joined by Alex and the rest of the gang: Reaper and Kui, Marc, Ray, Don and Rich.

This is where things get interesting. The winds had slacked off so much the streamers were pointing at the ground... Every now and then a light cycle would come through and then out of nowhere, the wind was at our backs! I think we were all in utter amazement but it was conceivable due to a large squall that pushed back into the valley behind KNA. So there we were perched up at high launch eagerly awaiting that window of opportunity... Both Alex and myself were determined - we were geared up and ready to go at a the first sign of wind. After about 20-30 minutes of hangin' around, the streamers started pointing up at us. Here it is guys...let's do this! Alex took first dibs and took off and I was seconds behind him, into what seemed to be a perfect cycle at the time.... Little did we know what lay in store for the both of us.

I watched Alex cruise across to the North ridge... Here I come dude! After a picture perfect launch I was airborne! It felt perfect until my first turn, then this is where everything went badly.... NO MORE WIND! It's gone - it can't be! I immediately started sinkin' out, so I turned back towards the hill...nothin' but sink, then a left turn and my wing was all over the place. ROTOR! from where??? I knew I was in trouble and I hear Reaper "Its more north then you thought" so instinctively I think I'm in rotor from rhino/N launch so I veer right and across the valley thinkin' if I punch thru it since I'm already in it and get out front of N launch I should be good...NOT! Sinking air everywhere - there was nowhere I could go without the trees getting closer to me. I couldn't even make it to the low North launch to top land so I make a right turn to run to the LZ as fast as possible.

In the meantime, I'm getting tossed around like a ragdoll and I have no idea what Alex is dealin' with and Reap is yellin' "head to the beach, the beach, the beach!" and I'm thinkin' "I know, I know, I know!!!" After I make my right, and still in sink I realize situationally: I'm well below low launch, God, I can't even hillside land I'm so stinkin' low.... Well, I have two choices at this point... Tree landing or run for it. So yep - I ran for it. Now I know I'm not makin' the beach - it was clearly obvious, so I decide to go for the boat ramp, which seemed like the most likely decision. "I got it, I'm on glide" NOT! Another heart stopper... more freakin' rotor and plenty sink, but I held my course. I knew at this point I'm committed... So, all I could think was get over the water in case I take a collapse and stay close to the shoreline while holding my line to the ramp...."Oh yeah, I think I got it"....NOT! More massive sink so I'm hands up for max glide and speed and droppin' fast.

I know my fate at this point, it's gonna be a wet one! So, I take aim for the set of trees just alongside the ramp and pretty much hit my mark. My thoughts were if I could get just a little bit more glide I could land the wing on the branches overhanging the water and just maybe get my lower half wet. Wrong again. So, I came in fast, and there it was...splash down! I managed to get a couple bouncing skids across the water before the wing overflew me and pulled me over onto my face. And to my surprise, the water was only like 8 inches deep! And when I pushed myself up the wing was fully inflated in a perfect wall resting on top of the water, leading edge down only about 3 feet from the trees. WOW! what a rush.

I tried to call Reap but unfortunately my radio and iPhone were fried. Moments later, Hillbilly and Scrappy managed to drag me and my wing to shore and we all had a few laughs at my expense. Scrappy managed to get it all on camera which you will all be able to enjoy at some point.

I managed to walk away from this unfortunate situation with mostly my pride damaged and some electronics that need replacement. But, I can't help but think how lucky I really am because it could have had a much worse ending for me and Alex, who I later learned had experienced the same nasty, rotory conditions. I'm sure he will post his own personal experience, that I was unable to witness. There was some valuable lesson learning today for the new guys as well as for the experienced pilots.... Don't be the wind dummy! LOL, no really, don't be in a hurry! Had we waited a few minutes to see what the real deal was, we probably would have made a better judgment call and not found ourselves in this predicament.

Aloha...Joey

Long lost friends...

Our long lost friend Ken Berry is still at it in Tennessee. And today was tribute to Ken.

We hiked to low launch today due to the high winds. Alex and visiting pilots reported very East and strange conditions while they were flying today. They said there were holes in the wind and very light conditions with almost rotor conditions on landing.


I met Alan Goldberg, Mauri, and Hillbilly today to fly late at Kahana and Alex says "it looks doable" The wind was picking up and clocking around a little more northeast as we arrived at the LZ.

We hiked to the low launch and it was blowing 14 to 20 mph in the gusts. Ugly conditions for a P-3 and my student P-1 Mauri. Who has only flown in 'Butterfly' conditions here before from the high launch?

We waited on low launch and Alex was reporting strong conditions at the Punualu wind talker up to 15 on the beach? It was blasting on low launch. I told Alan and Mauri that if you got ready there might be a lull in the wind and allow us to launch?

Just then the wind died down to 12 mph on launch. Mauri, eager to fly, said " I'll go, I wanna fly".

So, we launched Mauri in lighter winds. She actually was able to kite her glider for a moment and just as she left the hill and flew straight out and up, (Perfect launch!!!) the wind started nuking again. I asked Alan if he wanted to fly (as the windlines increased), and he said "no".

Ok, not wanting to 'EVER' hike down; I laid out my medium Hook and started to build my wall. Now the winds were back up to 20 mph... Sh&%t. I pulled up the glider (not expecting to be yanked as I outweigh it considerably), I had a huge knot in my left tip. The glider swung over and I had to kill it quickly. Then Alan who was helping me tackle the wing, slowly and cautiously untangled the knot. I was now on top of low launch and ready to fly. I pulled on the A's and was dragged off of the hill backwards at high speed while the glider was still in a horseshoe shape. The glider was caught in a tangle of scrub and then finally released with full force and further yanked me in the air. I was flying backwards off of low launch, past the trees and into the air when I noticed I was flying backwards and with a couple of twists?

I love to fly backwards and this seemed almost normal to me, when I decided that in high winds and low it was probably not a good idea. I un-twisted and stood on the speedbar in the next valley and managed to get up, only to see my un-suspecting student soaring a 1,000 feet over the road having the time of her life. Hehe

I joined her for some very strong soaring in gusting conditions trying to play the 'Cool' instructor and taking lots of photos and videos. All of a sudden, Alex says, "Do you guys see those menacing clouds on the horizon?" Uh no, not until you mentioned it.

So, we ambled back to the beach park for a couple of fun landings near the frosty swizzling post flyers.

Just as we landed and packed up our wings, the wind kicked up to 21 mph and 20 minutes later the rain fell.

I told Alex, that my launch was in true Ken Berry fashion. Sucked off of low launch in high winds, dragged thru the dirt, and spun around only to have a short flight in near storm conditions. God, I miss the 'ol tough Green Beret to show me the way...

Miss ya Airborne.

Reaper

This One's for Joey

Just a short recap of a really nice downrange mission on Sunday, October 5th. Many pilots had opted to head for Makapu'u first, but the conditions there seemed a bit strong and easterly. There were a couple reports of pilots hitting the beach there, so I opted to head toward Kahana. After a short time I was joined out there by Scot, Joey, Mauri, RT, and Reaper with a tandem passenger.

We all got out of high launch, and found plenty of lift around. After a light rain squall passed through, Scot made the first foray toward the distant lands downrange. We had been chattering on the radio about heading there before the rain came through. I followed suit and then Joey came along.

We had a great cruise - due to the easterly flow there was a lot more ridge lift on the Punalu'u ridge than normal. The winds were strong downrange so we decided to go land at Hau'ula Beach park, rather than pushing for Pounders. A big Mahalo to RT and Alex for the transport back to the LZ, and to Mauri for the fine selection of postflight refreshments. Nice job to Mauri on her first high flight that day too.

Quentin's Fundraising Party at Pearl Nightclub

Quentin's campaign is having a fundraising event next Tuesday, October 14, 5:30-7:30 at Pearl Ultra Nightclub at Ala Moana Center. A suggested donation of $50 will help Quentin reach his goal of representing Waimanalo, Lanikai and Kailua in the State House. It also gets you started with a couple of drinks. See Q's website for more details.

Welcome to Oahu, Maui Doug!

I enjoyed some sweet sea breeze flying at Kahana today with Maui Doug, a recent transplant to Oahu and a brand new pilot. He is also a big time kitesurfer so I'm sure he'll be meeting lots of you out on the water as well. He enticed me to come out and fly on a day when I had doubts about how it might be working, but it turned out to be one of those days with a fat but gentle lift band, as smooth as butter, although pretty light on launch.

Doug scratched mightily for a long time to get started, trying to follow my clumsy radio supervision, even whacking a tree deep in the valley of despair at one point - but he finally worked his way up and above the ridge. Not bad for his first ever ridge soaring flight. I followed him up there, and we flew for over an hour up and down the ridge in slowly waning conditions until I thought it might be time to precede him to the LZ before the lift died out too much. Superb launch, soaring and landing for a new pilot. Keep up the good work, Doug - and welcome to Oahu flying!

The LOST Boys

So … 21 Sep 08, Hillery & I were pushing the stroller around Costco (eating free samples), when this hot blonde "Hollywood Lady" & her "friend" walk up to "see the baby."

Turns out … she is the casting director for the TV show "LOST." If you are a fan of the show or a grip, you prolly know that they film here on Oahu. Anyway … turns out that they needed a dark-haired, blue-eyed, Caucasian, newborn baby boy for one of their upcoming shows.

They spent 10 minutes fawning over our son (your nephew), calling "their people" & snapping pictures on their cell phones; all the while trying to convince us to let him be on the show … even suggested that I consider being an extra, because she “liked the way I was built.” Being polite, I returned the compliment, suggesting that I like the way her surgeon had “built” her, too.

Anyway … “What the hell … huh?” We gave them a contact number. They called several times the next day & faxed us a bunch of child labor regulation information & releases; which Hillery read & signed.

Long story short … 24 Sep 08 was the shooting day. There were several babies whose photos were evaluated for the part: age (2-4 weeks-old); hair (dark & a lot of it); sex (outdoor plumbing); overall cuteness … (Their acting skills were not part of the criteria.)

It came down to three boys … then two … then one: Peter J. Arroyo, III. We filmed at the studio near KCC; ‘cross The Dog Park. It was a “Birthing Scene” in which one of LOST’s beloved characters spends the entire episode in one of the show’s typically precarious situations, while in labor; at the end of which, our son (your nephew) emerges as the newest LOST cast member … one who may or may not ever be called back to the studio for another scene.

It was pretty freak’n cool. The “little diaper killer” was stripped naked, covered in cream cheese & cherry jelly (all “organic” … LOST is a bunch of tree-hugging hippies); then presented to the new parents and caressed by the camera for several long seconds. The last thing tens-of-millions of LOST fans will see that week will be the face of the youngest member of the Hawai’i Paragliding Association.

Several casting people, camera crew members and Emmy/Peabody/Pulitzer Prize winning directors telling you how adorable your newborn is, may or may not confirm your belief that your child is, in fact, beautiful. HOWEVER, staring into the remote camera monitor, onto a multi-million dollar set, with your organic cream cheese & cherry jelly smeared infant son gazing calmly into the face of his make-believe momma, as the music cues up, with credits about to roll, WILL bring a tear to the most stoic of eye.

Yes … “P-3” was paid handsomely for his efforts: $65.00/hour. (Not bad for a first job … huh?) NO … I am NOT allowed to give any details about the episode. The CIA & FBI are not quite as secretive as the LOST people. We will let everyone know when the episode airs … some time in February.

Aloha,
Suicide

(P.S.: It has now been EIGHT weeks since my ACL repair. Therefore, if the wind calms down, I will be back in the air this weekend!! I miss you folks.)

Pretty as a Postcard

Yesterday was another sweet northeasterly day at Kahana, with lighter wind and a much clearer sky than the previous day - a proper post-frontal kind of day. A bunch of us hiked the north ridge in the morning and flew most of the day out there. There were many first time flights: Bob from Torrey flying his girlfriend Donna on a tandem, RT from Colorado/Utah, Pete's latest student Harris, and John from the Big Island.

Reaper and I also flew, although his flight was brief since he had to take care of Kui and Harris. I was really stoked to make it to Kualoa and back on such a gorgeous day. After arriving over the ranch I enjoyed a long session working my way up at Puu Kanehoalani to cloudbase at around 2,500 feet.

Later on, Joey and Scrappy came out and flew, but the wind had grown a bit stronger, which made the bay crossings more challenging. Scrappy got super high and made it into the pocket over the Lion with height to spare, but it was almost dark and he wasn't excited about muscling through the strong and rolling airflow coming around the spines from Kaaawa.

Then after the successful nocturnal conclusion to a long-running project to make the shoreline safer for pilots and beachgoers alike, we ended the day with a nice dinner at Bobo's. Thanks to Harris for the cold refreshments, and to Pete for the ribs!

Coup d'Etat

Jefferey MacStalliker, seventh Earl of Kahana and self-styled Monarch of Maili, shocked the Kingdom of Kahana yesterday by announcing his intent to usurp the throne. As a cold wind blew in from the north under steely grey afternoon skies, the upstart Earl made a surprise claim on the distant crown lands of Kaaawa across the bay, but the aging King anticipated the threat and handily repulsed the incursion, turning the invader back before he could reach Kualoa. As darkness began to fall on the kingdom, the Earl negotiated a tenuous truce with an offering of traditional cold libations.