SHPF Blog

Monday, July 21, 2008

Photos of The Scottish Open and BPC Saturday 12th July, Abington

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

Nigel Pacey Paragliding photo 1
Nigel Pacey Paragliding photo 2
Nigel Pacey Paragliding photo 3
Nigel Pacey Paragliding photo 4
Nigel Pacey Paragliding photo 5

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Thursday, July 17, 2008

BPC & Scottish open photo galleries

Photos by R Veitch on Saturday 12th July - Whiteside near Abington.
BPC- Borders round & Scottish Open July 12th 2008

and on Sunday 13th July - Broughton Heights, near Broughton.
BPC 080713

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Sunday, July 13, 2008

Lots of pilots about to be in flight at Broughton

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BPC & Scottish Open Paragliding Task set .....

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.

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BPC & Scottish Open - Setting the task

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Broughton - BPC &Scottish Open 13th July 08

Good morning the first briefing happened at the crack of dawn .. well 08:30 and the decision was made to go to Broughton Heights, accessed via Lochurd Farm.
Conditions - light slightly SW expected to get better during the day.

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Saturday, July 12, 2008

BPC Borders & Scottish Open - status 16:10 Race start

The task window has just now opened. The route has changed somewhat with the addition of T029 reference NT07450 17735, replacing M040404, with the same goal as before.

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BPC Borders & Scottish Open - status 14:30

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.

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BPC Borders & Scottish open -12th July - Task set

The first day of this competition paragliding task has now been set and is :-
Takeoff - T07035 White Hill - external cylinder 2km radius - with takeoff within 1km.
Turnpoint M0404 2.8km down the ridge - 400m radius then speed to Goal 25.7km Go2011 near Moffat - 1km radius.
Elapsed time multi launch attempts allowed, thermalling direction leftWindow and race start 12:30, Check-in closed 17:30. SMS or voice check in.

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BPC Borders & Scottish open - 12th July 08 status


Well everyone has decamped to T07 - White Hill- near Abington and at least 18 pilots have taken off for a free fly :-

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Sunday, June 08, 2008

X-Scotia 2008 Videos Part 3
















12.9 MbOrange wing landing
60.3 Mb2 More TTB landings
39 MbSteve Durkin and Pilot review route
8.8 MbRichard V?.
13.9 MbPilot landing near landing field
4 MbSteve Nash walking with his bunched glider
23.4 MbJitka (and Cliff) just shortly after arriving in Goal
23.4 MbJitka chat
39.3 MbJitka + Paul Ogden discussing ..
108 MbJitka - "interview" however very windy so cannot actually hear very well at all - sorry Jitka
30.7 MbAndy McGregor interview and short story?.
25.1 MbJust before prize giving ceremony ?.
16.6 MbPart of Cliffs Speech
8.5 MbSteve Nash receiving the 1st X-Scotia Trophy, 11th May 2008

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Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Chris and unexpected travails during X-Scotia 2008

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

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Sunday, June 01, 2008

X-Scotia - videos - part 1

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

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Sunday, May 11, 2008

X-Scotia 2008 - Winners , Prizes and Sponsors

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.

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X-Scotia Pack weights more information ...

Just a bit of fun but I took the previously posted data on X-Scotia pilots and their pack weights and generated this - interesting ?.



A chart image of X-Scotia pack weights versus pilot weight as a percentage 10+11 May 08

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X-Scotia - some recent things ... 12:30 11th May 08

Status -
4 Bob M No reports last seen in Killin boozing
5 John N In Lochearnhead heading for Ben Vorlich at 12:15
7 Paul M - on Tarmachan 1 hour ago
8 Helen G 2km 2 Killin heading North 3 hours ago.
10 Dave T Just landed North of Lix Toll
11 Adrian S - 579346 at 0917 this morning
13 Johan 590365 near Killin 9am
14 Dave H heading towards Killin at 9am 548310
25 Andy M at 10am at top of pipeline at Tarmachan
21 Scott R With Jitka - through Lochearnhead heading for Loch Vorlich
24 Peter W at 917am at 579346
28 Patrick A - heading for Ben More Hotel
30 Jitka P - 2 turnpoints done currently heading up Ben Vorlich
31 Ian W - with Paddy A also heading for the Ben More Hotel.
35 Gordon S - about to launch from lower down on the Tarmachan

Finished
Steve Nash - unofficially reached goal First
Paul Myerscough - " 2nd
Mark Leyland - " 3rd
Julian Robinson - equal 5th?
Nick Ogden - "

Retirements.
Mark Harrison, Chris Miles, Peter Shields, Billy Casson, Crawford Coulson

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Some photos from X-Scotia 2008

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

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X-Scotia status as at 10am Sunday 11th May 2008

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.

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X-Scotia Winners..

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...

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Saturday, May 10, 2008

X-Scotia 2008 Status as at 9pm Saturday 10th May

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.

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X-Scotia - 2008 The leadership contest as at 6pm 10th May

As at about 6pm the following people appear to be competing for the top places.
Clearly in the lead Steve Nash - first to round 2 turnpoints, and apparently a close race amongst Julian Robinson, Chris Myles, Mark Leyland and John Newton for the following places.

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X-Scotia 2008 Where are people now 2.15pm Saturday 10th May....

Here are the positions of people as recorded as at 2pm ish ..

Pilot 1 Mark Leyland, 444197 at 11.55
3 Steve Nash 11.05 Balquidher Ben Vorlich achieved
4 Bob Mathews 13:10 Ben More
5 John Newton 11:05 Ben Stoibhienen?
7 Paul Midgely 11:35 Ben More
8 Helen Gant 12:45 Rounded Vorlich, Balquidher
9 Julian Robinson 12:00 430230
10 David Thomson 11:30 492232
11 Adrian Smith 10:39 454188
12 Mark Harrison 11:55 511230
13 Johan Kritzinger 13:05 585234
14 David Hutchinson 10:48 Kirkton Glen
15 Nick Ogden 13:45 Killin having rounded TP2 Tarmachan
16 Paul Myerscough 13:35 Leaving Ben More
21 Scott Rigg 12:27 Ben More
24 Pete Will 13:45 Cleared TP3
25 Andy McGregor 13:55 535298
26 Cris Miles 13:45 Killin Road,
28 Paddy Angier 11:50 Balquidder Braes
29 Peter Shields 12:45 Rounded TP3, Lochearnhead
30 Jitka Polechova 14:05 439210
31 Iain Wallace 13:30 534237
32 Billy Casson 12:45 Rounded Ben Vorlich now Lochearnhead
34 Crawford Coulson 13:45 Ben More
35 Gordon Smythe 12:45 Landed near Start/Finish having rounded TP3
36 Matt Church 13:10 494821

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X-Scotia 2008 Status - tactics becoming apparent..

Ok - it is nearly 2pm on the inaugural X-Scotia event and 6 hours have passed.
Tactics and routes are varying quite significantly ....

There have been a group who have headed West along the road towards Ben More and then headed North into the spurs of Ben More. And an equivalent group headed into the Balquidder Braes and then apparently planning to fly towards Ben More.

Another group has headed SE up Ben Vorlich and have flown down to near the start finish line again. Who are then splitting to either head West or Nortth to the other turn points.

1 person at least headed from the start straight North to Ptarmichan (Nick Ogden) and has now turned South West heading for Ben More having rounded turn point 1.

More soon ....

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X-Scotia 2008 Race on... Status as at 1315 10th May

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!

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Wednesday, May 07, 2008

X-Scotia 2008 10+11th May 2008 is ON.

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

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Saturday, April 19, 2008

Hang-gliding + Paragliding Reserve deployment videos Parts 1 to 4 - Ratho

Rik kindly prepared a video from the recent paragliding and hang-gliding reserve deployment excercise held at Ratho near Edinburgh.

Here are links to each quarter of that film, each of which is very large at ~269MB so I strongly suggest that you right click and save as .... just clicking will probably cause things to seize up!

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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

CAA Mode S Transponder Consultation Meeting - Portmoak 20th March

To reiterate news that you may have already seen elsewhere the next consultation meeting regarding Mode S Transponders is to be held at Portmoak (Scottish Gliding Centre) Thursday 20th March at 7pm.

Paraphrasing the above information and links from the BGA :-
"These meetings are a great opportunity for members to engage with the rulemakers and further clarify our airspace needs. .... We are calling on all glider pilots to make a response as was done to such great effect during the first round of consultation and, as such, ALL pilots should try to attend one of the meetings."

A succint summary of the current situation from the BGA

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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

X-Alps film about Ulric & Ruth Jessop nominated for Scottish Bafta.

On the 11th March at The BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards 2008 within the "Best First Time Producer ? Factual" category Dave Hipkiss was nominated for X-Alps: The World?s Most Extreme Race.

This features Ulric and Ruth Jessop during the 2007 X-Alps competition and the film was made for BBC Scotland.


Update - unfortunately this film did not win, however that does not lessen in any way the quality of the film or the amazing amount of dedication required by Ulrich and Ruth to enter and compete in this event.

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Monday, February 25, 2008

Paragliding and Hang-gliding reserve throw , repack & SHPF AGM

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).

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Thursday, February 07, 2008

SHPF Committee meeting 30th January 2008 - minutes

The minutes from the recent committe meeting of The Scottish Hang-gliding and Paragliding Federation (SHPF) can now be found by clicking on the above title.

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Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Scottish Nationals Paragliding Series - Arran

This coming weekend the rescheduled Arran round of The Scottish Nationals Paragliding Series is arranged, the usual webpage (that the title links to) has been updated with details.

Registration and briefing will be at 10:45 at the Mc Alpine hotel opposite the ferry terminal Brodick Pier, Arran, on Saturday morning.

Bob V

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Thursday, August 16, 2007

LLSC round of Scottish Nationals Paragliding Series postponed 1 week

Owing to the less than ideal weather conditions forecast for the weekend, we have decided to postpone the Tinto round of the Scottish Nationals for one week.

Weather permitting, we will hold the Tinto round on 25/26 August.

George McGhee
Series Co-ordinator

RV - As usual as more details are made available they will be on this page :-
http://www.shpf.co.uk/scotparanationals.php

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Tuesday, July 03, 2007

The Scottish Nationals Paragliding Series - reminder

Please don't forget that the next round of this friendly competition is scheduled for this coming weekend the 7th and 8th July. Also as usual, as details are made available, they will be on the above linked page.

See you there.

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Saturday, June 02, 2007

Scottish Nationals - Arran round postponed

Evenin' All,

Quick note to inform you of the rescheduling of this weekends Scottish Nationals Paragliding Series round scheduled for Arran.
Owing to a clash of dates with the Lakes Charity Classic and a fairly
poor weather forecast, the Arran round will now take place later in the
year.

Cheers,
George

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Sunday, May 27, 2007

BPC at Broughton 26th May

Photos by Bob V from the first day of the BPC round held at Broughton on 26th May 2007 and based at Tinto Hotel, Symington.

A ~45km task was set with goal near Clovenfords and I am sure the results will soon be here on the BPC website.

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Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Scottish Paragliding nationals and Events updated

Hello,

Just in case you weren't already aware,

This coming weekend may well be the SMPC and first round this year of The Scottish Nationals Paragliding Series and as such I have updated this page. This will be as usual changed as and whenever I have new information available.

The decision as to whether the weather is good enough for a competition on the 12th / 13th May will be taken tomorrow evening (Wed 9th May) so keep an eye on the above page.

I have also updated the events page - here with as many things as I can find and if you know of any other events please tell me and I shall get them posted asap as well.

Bob V

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Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Scottish Nationals Paragliding Series dates 2007

The dates have been set for the Scottish Nationals Paragliding series as follows.

As usual the Nationals page here will be updated as and when information becomes available nearer the time.

12/13 May - SMPC (This round is flexible and decision normally made by the Wednesday evening prior to the chosen weekend.)
02/03 June - Arran
07/08 July - Aberdeen
18/19 August - Tinto
08/09 September - Borders
06/07 October - Ochils

Hopefully this years series will be just as successful as last years.

See you on the hill.

Bob

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Sunday, March 25, 2007

Scottish Nationals Presentation to Tina Wood

Earlier today as a small and pleasant aside to the Club Coach course - Dave Thomson presented Tina Wood with a Sol flight deck for being the top female pilot in 2006 in the Scottish nationals paragliding Series.


Tina Wood being presented her prize for being the top female pilot in the 2006 Scottish Nationals Paragliding Series

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Saturday, March 03, 2007

2007 BP Cup Registration now open.

Registration is now open for the 2007 season BPCup.

Go to the link here for the entry form.

Read about the new discount system we have in operation on the FAQ
page.

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Safety Notice, Carbon Seat Plates

This is for any and all paragliding pilots with carbon fibre seat plates.
Please be aware that the plates can cause severe abrasion to straps/leg loops coming into contact with them.

Although this pertains directly to the Sup'Air Alti Randonneuse XC harness, owners of all harnesses equipped with carbon seat plates should check for abrasion of the leg straps where they pass around the carbon seat plate.

The original FFVL safety notification in French - is here.

Please check yours now and consider the following modifications as per the link here at Northern Paragliding.

Paraglider carbon seat plate damage to straps

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Saturday, February 24, 2007

Scottish Nationals Paragliding Series - 2006 awards

At the recent SHPF AGM George McGhee updated the results from the Scottish Nationals Paragliding Series and prizes were presented to Kenny Cooper, David Thomson and Gordon Smyth pictured below.

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Wednesday, February 07, 2007

SHPF AGM 2007 Agenda

AGENDA

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

10TH FEBRUARY 2007

TINTO HOTEL, SYMINGTON

1 Introductions

2. Apologies for absence

3. Minutes and Outstanding Actions from last AGM (26th February 2005)

4. Chairman's Report

5. Treasurer's Report

6. Sites and Safety Report

7. SportScotland and Scottish Sports Association Report

8. Communications

9. Programme for 2006

10. Subscriptions

11. Election of Executive Committee

12. AOCB

13. Presentation of Awards

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SHPF - Social weekend - 10th and 11th February 2007

"Here is the finalised programme of activities for the SHPF Free Flying
Weekend. Remember it's a flexible weekend and things can change but as a
rough guide this is what you can expect to happen.

Saturday 10th February
If it is flyable.
10.00 am Meet at Tinto Hotel Symington (near Biggar). Weather briefing, open
discussion on coaching requirements then travel to closest flyable site.
Here we will attempt to provide a day of personalised coaching in a fun and
supportive environment. There is no set agenda; whoever turns up will
dictate what we do.

If it's not flyable.
12.00 noon Meet at Tinto Hotel Symington (near Biggar). We will then try to
deliver an afternoon of paragliding and hang-gliding related activities.
Again it will depend on who turns up and what they want to do. We have
received a number of offers from people to lead sessions as follows. GPS and
map reading, XC Flying Weather, Scottish Access Situation, Scottish
National's Slide Show. In addition there has been a request for the
following peer group session to be run. Harness and speed bar set up. Other
ad hoc sessions could take place again depending on who turns up.

The emphasis on the afternoon is to enjoy the company of fellow pilots and
to share knowledge and experience. We plan to build in plenty of time for
the social element of the day to be enjoyed.

5.30pm SHPF AGM at Tinto Hotel Symington. This will include the presentation
of various trophies etc won by pilots/clubs throughout the year.

6.30pm An illustrated talk from Steve Etherington. Lakes based PWC pilot and
good bloke.

7.30pm Meal and socializing. Final details of catering are still be
finalised with the hotel. Very few people signed up for the meal so we are
trying to negotiate with the hotel over a buffet or just access to their bar
meal menu.

If you want to stay at the hotel please contact them direct and make your
own arrangements. Mention that you are part of the SHPF weekend event.

Sunday 11th February

David Thomson is organising a Club Pilot and Pilot Exam. This will involve a
revision and preparation session followed by the exam itself.
Contact David direct for full details of the programme and what you need to
bring.

If it is flyable.
10.00 am Meet at Tinto Hotel Symington (near Biggar). Weather briefing, open
discussion on coaching requirements then travel to closest flyable site. A
similar plan of attack to Saturday again tailored to the needs of those who
turn up.

If it's not flyable.
Help David with the exam day, have a nice bar lunch, sink a couple of pints
and go home happy having taken part in a great event.

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Monday, January 15, 2007

Free Flying Social weekend and SHPF AGM, 10th and 11th Feb

Free Flying Social Weekend being planned. In this long, dark, wet and windy times we need something to cheer ourselves up.

Ratho is shut so no chuck?n?pack event so how about trying to get as many
pilots together to fly or talk about flying?

Tommy Bryson is the main organiser with help from David Thomson, Cliff Smith
and other members of the SHPF committee.

Rough details are as follows

Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th February

Tinto Hotel at Symington

Saturday, Daytime

If flyable we plan to run a coaching day at Tinto/Broughton or nearest
flyable site.

Coaching will be targeted at what you want to learn so let us know what you
want to do. We might even set some simple but achievable tasks. Ideas
include ground handling, the perfect take off, flying in company, the art of
top landing, how to fly 100km??.

If its not flyable we aim to offer a range of flying related sessions mixed
in with some social time to catch up with all the free flyers who turn up.

Session topics are flexible but could include GPS, flying weather, Harness
setup, DVD shows, slide shows, photo competition, bring and buy sale etc. If
there is anything else you?d like to see please let us know.

5.00pm (ish) the SHPF AGM and annual prize giving.

6.00pm (ish) Meal in the Hotel £15.95 for a 3 course meal or cheaper bar
meal options.

7.30pm Slide show and talk by Steve Etherington. Topic TBC but will focus on
Steve?s paragliding exploits home and abroad. For those that don?t know him
Steve is one of the UK?s few PWC pilots who according to Tommy has a few
right guid tales t?tell.

Once Steve shuts up you can socialize for as long as you want.

B&B is available at the Tinto Hotel for those that want to stay over.

Sunday

If flyable a similar plan to Saturday.

If not flyable a similar plan to Sauturday.

PLUS David Thomson and LLSC are planning on running a CP and P exam. Further
details from DT to follow.

The