US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

I am now working with the president of the Newport Beach historical Society. Neil's article has not been published in the NB Independent but it soon will be (according to the editor). I've been hearing that for awhile now.

The current plan is to pick a city council meeting that I and he (Pres. NBHS) plus another member of the NBHS will be able to attend. In the public comment period, he will give an introductory and then I will present the photo of the marker and state what we would like to accomplish.

Each public speaker is allowed three minutes. By having the president of the historical society give his introductory and then to my speaking we will get at least six minutes on the marker proposal. If another member of the society is present we could get more time, but the council is not favorable to too many people speaking on the same subject, unless it is a hot issue.

One thing that concerns me is that the president of the NBHS is enthused about, in his words, this being the birth of the age of extreme sports. I don't like putting that slant on it and I hope I can get him to back off on that aspect. I have told him that we don't consider Hang gliding to be an extreme sport but instead we see it as a more personal and free form of human flight. He countered with the statement that we early fliers took the leap (pardon the pun) and took the risks to develop and advance the sport. I do remember at that time many people thought we were crazy, death wish, etc.

Please, anyone, weigh in on this with your thoughts, ideas, etc.

Frank Colver

I'm quoting this from memory, so please forgive me if it's not exact.

Didn't "Big Blue Sky" have a quote something like the following?

Hang gliding was the first extreme sport. It wasn't about getting "some air" ... it was all air.

Personally, I think bull riding was an extreme sport long before hang gliding. Check out this Joe Montana video if you doubt me.

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I personally don't like the term "extreme sport", but it might be a generation gap thing. Maybe that's what we need to get younger folks interested. On the other hand, I think most of us fly to fly and not to show how close we can come to death. So I guess I'm on the fence. I'd also like to hear what other people think.

By the way, very good job on carrying the ball forward Frank!! It takes time to get these things in front of City Councils, and I appreciate anyone who goes the distance for a good cause. Thanks also for keeping us posted!!  

Yes Sir. Thank You Frank.

I hear what You are saying about "extreme sport". More so personal flight, for me to experience flight. First airplane I'd ever been in, at the age of 24. That was '74.

What I have never been able to relate to is the frequently used, "Free" flight. What does that mean? No cost? Free from what? Free as a bird? Mooch group?

Good luck with NBHS.

Thank you for letting us hear about it on the US Hawks Hang Gliding forum

Respectfully,
Sam

Not extreme Ageless dream renaissance:
We gave a safe push to a century-old wonderful adventure.
Son sent this share this morning, and it seems fitting to the Otto Meet:
Thank you for the inspiration to fly: Even Eagles Need A Push Movie
http://youtu.be/_ap8u-xD8xc

Thanks all and I'm looking forward to more comments about the "extreme sport" thing. Maybe as an "old guy" I'm just too sensitive about that label.

Joe, thank you very much for that video link. Very inspirational lesson there! Maybe the NBHS president was right when he basically said we gave the push to start modern worldwide hang gliding.

Whereas the early pioneers used hang gliders to try to figure out some way, any way, that man could fly at all. We used similar configurations to try to find a different, more personal, way of flying in an age where human flight had become commonplace.

Frank

Make that two grateful people from Florida!

   

Hi Neil!!!

Thanks for posting this!!!

I can't wait to see the next picture when they're digging the hole and planting the marker!!!

These are the photos that I just got from Frank showing the installed marker!!!





I thought these photos would be an appropriate addition to this topic!! Thanks Frank!!