Paragliders spotted by the public and evidence provided here ...

Quoting Nigel and Sue Pacey,
"We were on our way back home and stopped to see the very impressive display of paragliders as we turned off the M74.
I am surprised you didn?t cause the odd accident as you were all very visible from the motorway.
I am a keen amateur photographer and took the attached photos which you might like to post here....
With the grey sky you were not the easiest to photograph!!"

Nigel Pacey

Labels: 2008, abington, july, open, pacey, paragliding, Scottish

Labels: 2008, BPC, july, open, paragliding, photo, Scottish

Task 2, 13th July 2006.
Race to Goal, Takeoff ~T09050 1312", Multi launch, thermal right, Window open 11:45, Close 14:30. Race start 12:15. Goal close 17:00, Land by 17:00, Report in by 17:30, Check in asap and closes 19:30.
Task:-
Takeoff - T09050 Broughton Heights, Prestart2.5km radius round T02055 (TP1) then 4.14km I think to Race start which is a 10km radius circle around M24016 and start of speed section. End of speed section 2km from the goal G09017. Total distance 44.9km.

Labels: 2008, BPC, july, open, paragliding, Scottish, task 2

Scottish-Open_080712.kmz

Just showing Takeoff, Turnpoint and Goal

Labels: 2008, Earth KMZ, google, july, open, Scottish

Well by the previous messages you might think that pilots are ready to be picked up by now - not so. Just a few minutes before the window opening was scheduled the wind picked up, result the task was delayed.
Quite a few paragliding pilots went free flying as there is apparently going to be quite some time before the task is started. There had been some discussion about moving site because the wind had veered a bit West but the decision was made to stay put.

Labels: 2008, BPC, open, paragliding, Scottish, status, whiteside

Gareth and Dave briefed everyone - decision to meet at T07, Abington asap.

Labels: 10am, 2008, borders, BPC, open, Scottisn, status

Well things are essentially set up, breakfasts eaten, sore heads nursed, and the first briefing occurred about an hour ago - result come back at 10am. Initial forecast looking a tad windy ut possibly flyable. Weather being discussed with great vigour and plans being set in preparation for the briefing commencing in half an hour. Rainfall forecast looking good.

Labels: 2008, borders, BPC, open, Scottish, status

	12.9 Mb	Orange wing landing
	60.3 Mb	2 More TTB landings
	39 Mb	Steve Durkin and Pilot review route
	8.8 Mb	Richard V?.
	13.9 Mb	Pilot landing near landing field
	4 Mb	Steve Nash walking with his bunched glider
	23.4 Mb	Jitka (and Cliff) just shortly after arriving in Goal
	23.4 Mb	Jitka chat
	39.3 Mb	Jitka + Paul Ogden discussing ..
	108 Mb	Jitka - "interview" however very windy so cannot actually hear very well at all - sorry Jitka
	30.7 Mb	Andy McGregor interview and short story?.
	25.1 Mb	Just before prize giving ceremony ?.
	16.6 Mb	Part of Cliffs Speech
	8.5 Mb	Steve Nash receiving the 1st X-Scotia Trophy, 11th May 2008

Labels: 2008, event, May, paraglider, paragliding, paragliding event 2008 scotland, Scottish, videos, x-scotia

During the recent X-Scotia Chris relates a short story to video detailing what..... - 21.2MB

Labels: 2008, Chris, event, paragliding, scotland, x-scotia

	12.3 Mb	Julian and Chris
	9.3 Mb	More pilots walking past near the turn for the South Lochearnhead Road
	8.8 Mb	Andy McGregor and Mark Leyland
	25.3 Mb	Long distance parawalkers
	6.8 Mb	and more
	4.8 Mb	Ian +Gordon
	24.5 Mb	Dave H
	8.8 Mb	DH into distance
	30 Mb	Bicycle Reflectors play at headquarters
	7.5 Mb	Non Competitor landing
	12 Mb	Non Competitor landing+ Dorita
	6.8 Mb	Gound handling practice
	68.5 Mb	S Durkin spiral and landing
	105 Mb	Quentins son landing
	61 Mb	Quentin landing
	9 Mb	Dave Thomson Killin evening day 1
	36.8 Mb	Dave Thomson Killin evening day 1 - talking through his day and events
	27.3 Mb	Status report of competitors as of the first evening by C Smith
	56.9 Mb	At control - paragliding stories?.
	19.8 Mb	Steve Nash arriving as winner - all dark so mainly sound
	8.3 Mb	Paul Myerscough arriving a couple of minutes later ..similarly dark
	40.54 Mb	and Paul Myerscough a few minutes later
	92 Mb	Interview / talk by Paul Myerscough

Labels: 2008, May, paragliding event 2008 scotland, SHPF, videos, x-scotia

X-Scotia - 10th + 11th May 2008 Videos Part 1

Below you will find the first of a series of a tables containing links to numerous videos and their respective sizes ... Please right click and save as to view. I hope that you enjoy and all comments gratefully received.

	16 Mb	X-Scotia 2008 Campsite at The Lochearnhead Watersports Centre the night before the event
	33 Mb	The X-Scotia competitors signed check
	15 Mb	The X-Scotia Tracking board
	3.7 Mb	X-Scotia - sign to fly sheet
	18 Mb	X-Scotia campsite again on morning of race start
	247 Mb	X-Scotia - fun pilot and pack weigh in
	0.5 Mb	and continued
	46 Mb	and continued
	4.3 Mb	and continued again.
	28.8 Mb	Just before the start of X-Scotia at 07:30 on Saturday 10th May
	27.8 Mb	The start of X-Scotia 2008, 07:30 Saturday 10th May
	2.5 Mb	Steve Nash briefly visible in the distance dashing past
	12.3 Mb	Julian and Chris
	9.3 Mb	More pilots walking past near the turn for the South Lochearnhead Road

Labels: 2008, events, May, paragliding, SHPF, videos, x-scotia

Please accept my apologies as I have been moving house since the fantastic X-Scotia event completed the other weekend and I have just not had a chance to get this done earlier.

There are loads of pictures and videos available and my plan is to start by giving a flavour here with some unlinked thumbnails and later on add more posts with more complete details and links to new pages and or full size images...

Photos here by Matt Church, Peter Will, Rik McHarg, Bob Veitch

Labels: 2008, paragliding event 2008 scotland, photos, pictures, x-scotia

X-Scotia Paragliding and Hiking Adventure Race 2008

1st Overall - Steve Nash - Sup`Air X-Ride Light Speed Riding Harness & SHPF X-Scotia Trophy - sponsored by Northern Paragliding

2nd Overall and Longest Flight 2008 X-Scotia - Paul Myerscough - 1 week at La Basse Beaumettes - sponsored by Ulric and Ruth Jessop of www.pottyplace.com

Highest % Walking and 3rd Overall 2008 X-Scotia - £300 Voucher - Mark Leyland - sponsored by Niviuk UK

1st Female 2008 X-Scotia- Skywalk Overall Jacket + Sunglasses - Jitka Polechova - sponsored by Northern Paragliding

2nd Female 2008 X-Scotia - Teva Shoes - Helen Gant - sponsored by TEVA

Special 2008 X-Scotia Sportsmanship award - Teva Shoes - Nick Ogden + Julian Robinson - sponsored by Teva

Heaviest Pack 2008 X-Scotia - Subscription to Cross Country Magazine - Peter Will - sponsored by Cross Country

1st tandem 2008 X-Scotia 2008 - Teva Shoes - John Newton- sponsored by Teva

All pilots competing received T-shirts and other small prizes.

Labels: 2008, awards, events, hiking, paragliding, prizes, winner, x-scotia

Here are some of the photos that I have managed to upload very slowly of the first day of X-Scotia 2008 event. There will be lots more to come along with videos later.

X-Scotia Paragliding Competition May 10th + 11th 2008

Labels: 2008, paragliding, pictures, scotland, x-scotia

Well whilst I was asleep the blog entries faded out but now it is time to catch up from roughly midnight...

06:25 Mark Leyland landed in the finishing field coming third. This was after having walked up Ben Vorlich during the night and flying down at first light. Luckily although unexpected he was spotted and the cameras caught the action - pictures soon...

Julian Robinson and Nick Ogden landed equal fourth - with lots of stories to tell- video to come.

Peter Shields and Billy Casson retired near the Killin Land Rover garage at 1:15am. Other retirements Mark Harrison, Crawford Coulson,

Loads of people staying in Killin at B+Bs.

Labels: 2008, paragliding, results, scotland, status, x-scotia

At about 23:20 this evening Steve Nash arrived at the finish line and between 1 and 2 minutes later Paul Myerscough also arrived . There was a little consternation when Paul arrived as race control hadnt realised that he had completed all the turnpoints on a different route to Steve a stunning achievement from them both. They professed to be tired but my opinion would be that they looked amazingly good. After the welcome and the deserved congratulations some of the stories are becoming out, 2 short examples....
Steve only just managed to get a flight in from the Tarmachan with what sounds like the very last chance before the weather closed in...
Paul it seems may have had the longest flight of the competition .. all to be confirmed with the GPS / picture data tomorrow...

Labels: 2008, competition, paraglider, paragliding, Paul Myerscough, SHPF, Steve Nash, winner, x-scotia

Well a few hours have passed now and it is fairly clear how the tactics are resolving for the evening.
Fist Steve Nash who is awesome - having completed all 3 turnpoints and he is expected to complete before midnight. This is an estimate after he just reported his position as just North of Killin a few minutes ago and he is still running ...

Second place - an interesting situation is becoming apparent between Julian Robinson and Nick Ogden - both have completed 2 turn points but in different directions. Julian having gone clockwise to Ben More / Tarmachan and Nick has gone anti-clockwise Tarmachan - Ben More and both have very similar distances to go and the final climb of Ben Vorlich - this will go down to the wire.....
Fourth contenders include - Paul Myrescough currently on Ben Vorlich having done Ben More.
John Newton - on Tarmachan, and a few others.....

Ladies - Both Jitka and Helen are about the same distance from the finish though both have followed completely different routes it will be very interesting to see how this pans out as well ...

Everyone else - well basically a lot of people near Killin with a few staying out on the hills overnight ...

Retirements - Matt Church, Mark Harrison, Crawford Coulson.

Labels: 2008, May, paragliding, scotland, status, x-scotia

X-Scotia - status as at 1pm on Saturday 10th May 08
What has been happening at base whilst all the competitors are doing the hard stuff well...
Computing crises - especially wrt to GPS tracks from different types of machine and connectivity and Google Earth issues (This should be put into context as there was a relaxed breakfast earlier of course.

Lots more pilots reported their positions by radio or text message and even after looking out there glasses!....

X-Scotia text status as at 11am, 10th May 2008
Last night the pasta party was a huge success and the chance for everyone to start casing out the competition. Then the briefing from Steve Durkin, Cliff Smith and Dave Thomson (who summarised a very complicated weather situation very clearly and having already had the invidious task of choosing the weekend of the event must have felt some pressure..) hopefully you will soon be able to see the video of this. Most people went to bed fairly early in the tents or campervans based near the Lochearnhead Watersports Centre in preparation for an early start today.
Saturday morning 10th May- X-Scotia 2008 - race weigh in - Heaviest pack wins a prize - results for this fun bit of fun will be shown below asap.
Race start - at 07:30 this morning - different strategies apparent from the onset, most notable being Steve Nash who must win the lightest pack competition if there were one! with a running start. And just a few minutes ago he reported that he was above Balquidder and had just rounded the TP3 - the first reported TP rounding. Just 2 more to go!

Labels: 2008, live, paragliding, scotland, x-scotia

X-Scotia 2008 Weekend of 10th + 11th May 2008 Status - GREEN

Labels: 2008, events, green, paragliding, scotland, SHPF, status, x-scotia

Chucking your reserve is planned for Friday evening (14th March) from 5pm - 9.45pm at Ratho.

Repacking with guidance (for those that need it and subject to availability
of repacking help) on Saturday (15th March) at the Tinto hotel, plus SHPF AGM and some flying at Tinto if conditions allow.

Para-phrasing Dave Thomson :-

a )The booking for the Ballroom for the day (£100 ) has been confirmed and they have been advised that everyone "will do their own thing" re meals - They have a tour in so the restauraunt will be quite busy. Bar meals should be OK, although they would still like an idea of numbers.

b) It is obviously crucial that we get some folk along who have some packing experience. Has someone been approached to take the lead in getting a team together to help folk who have not done it before ? The entire success of this day depends on getting enough folk to help. Volunteers contact Dave, Mike or Al.

c) Mike J and I were discussing how successful the format of last years event was. Clearly, of we are packing all day, there is less time, but we felt that the Day would be a lot more enjoyable (and attract more folk to the AGM ) if we put something on for the early evening/ Since X Scotia is the main SHPF Event coming up, we are proposing a series of short chats on Fly Walking ;- eg Equipment; Tactics; Nutrition (10 minutes each ) then a Discussion Forum ? Then show the 2007 X Alps film (either the official one or the BBC one about Ruth abd Ulric )

d) I've got (almost) all the Trophies sorted. Does anyone know anything about the whereabouts of the SHPF longest Flight Trophy ?

Unless there are any better suggestions, Dave will make the arrangements re item (c), but really doesn`t want to be left with (b) - As stated above if you are volunteering please contact Dave , Mike or Al - or anyone really.

David

Register your interest with Alistair Bowman at:

Email :- ambowman43@aol.com

Please give an indication of what time you plan to be at Ratho in the evening.

Cost £20 per person.

Mike Jardine

Information for attending pilots
Your covering email/letter will give you a registration number. This number determines approximately when you will be using the zipwire. If you do not turn up for your allocated slot, you will be included as soon as possible.
1. Programme (may be subject to change)
Friday 14 March
4.30pm onwards Registration Location to be confirmed
This is primarily for the first group of names but anyone is welcome to come along at any time.
However, use of the zipwire will be dictated by registration number. If you do not turn up when you are
due to use the zipwire, you will be slotted in as soon as possible.
Follow signs for SHPF repack. Bring all your kit but no resonsibility will be accepted for lost or
damaged items.
5.00pm - 9.45pm Reserve deployment SkyRide level 5+
The fun starts. The number of pilots allowed in the take-off area at any one time will be 5. This gives
you the chance to watch how the system works before your flight and to provide moral support or
give marks out of 10 to those in front of you. Each pilot will be called forward by number, briefed and
attached to the zipwire. Two screwlock caribiners will be used to attach the pulley system to the hang
points on your harness. When you are ready and happy with the arrangements - yehahhhhhhhh -
remembering to deploy reserve as quickly as possible.
When you come to a halt you will still be suspended some 15" above the floor so wait until you
are lowered. Someone will then help you to detach yourself from the pulley. Bundle up reserve and remember to collect the deployment bag.
You then have the option of taking your reserve home for un-assisted repacking (if you are confident of what to do) or bringing it to the Saturday repack.
NB. This is the ideal opportunity to re-pack your reserve at home BEFORE the deployment, to
test your reserve re-packing skills.

Saturday 15 March
10.00am onwards Reserve repacking Tinto Hotel, Symington
The Tinto Hotel have provided their Ballroom for mass re-packing. We hope that SHPF coaches will be
on hand to offer some assistance but it is your responsibility to carry out your own repack.
Flying?
If it?s flyable, you can head off to Tinto once you?ve packed away your reserve.

AGM Tinto Hotel
The time for the AGM will be based on the flying conditions. If a non-flying day, the AGM will be around 1.00pm, if flyable expect a 5.00pm start (or later).
Notes:
1. The programme times may be adjusted depending on numbers - priority will be given to those who have pre-registered.
2. The amount of repack supervision may also depend on total numbers, but priority will be given to those who are new to reserve repacking.
3. Please bring:
Full harness and reserve
Helmet and gloves
Reserve manual (if you have)
Warm clothing (it can be cold in Ratho)
Radio tuned to 143.675 (if you have)

Important
The zipwire will be installed and supervised at all times by Adventure Centre staff. All persons using the zipwire must follow the directions of Adventure Centre staff and take full responsibility for proper adjustment of their own harness.

Food and Drink
Coffees, drinks, snacks, bar snacks and full meals are available at the Ledge Cafe (Ledge in
Climbing Hall) and Stone Room Bar/Restaurant (Level 5).

Labels: 2008, AGM, hang-gliding, paragliding, Ratho, repack, reserve, SHPF