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Stacy Whitmore wrote:HI Bob
Please send this out to your pilots
Thanks
The US Paragliding Nationals will be held July 23-30 in Richfield, Utah. This rather recently discovered paragliding mecca offers great flying over spectacular red rock landscapes. In case you are a competition regular and haven't signed up yet- just go to http://redrocknationals.com/ and register- you know you want it!
In case you are saying to yourself “I would love to see all the action and volunteer with driving, wind-teching, and retrieving the hot-shots from the wilderness, but I also want a flying vacation with some air time for myself"- Well, Here are 5 very good reasons to come to Richfield:
#1) The Pioneer Day fly in on Cove. This fun tradition dating back many years takes place this year on July 23rd and will make a classy opening for the comp. All of us, i.e., volunteers and competitors together, will launch from Cove Mountain and soar this incredibly scenic site until sunset. Once the sun hits the horizon, we'll fly out in one great gaggle, putting on an awesome show for the Pioneer day celebration crowds gathered on the festival grounds far below. We land nearby, pack our gliders on the soft grass of the park and enjoy the burgers, chips and a drink awaiting us. Finally, the Pioneer Day Fireworks Display will provide the grand finale.
#2) Join the Cove Club. In the evening after the pilots have been retrieved and accounted for, there will be rides provided up to Cove Launch. At 3300 ft, Cove offers launches in 3 directions and the possibility to soar up another 3000 ft above the cliffs marking the top of Cove mountain. Anyone who succeeds in accomplishing this task is made a member of the cove club and listed on the Cuasa web page (http://www.cuasa.com). Last year on the 23rd of July 19 Pilots launched and 18 went to the top of Cove including a P-2 who had only been signed off two weeks earlier.
#3) Fly the Monroe Cascade. Monroe Peak is the main Launch for the Red Rock paragliding nationals with a vertical drop of nearly 6000 feet between the launch and the LZ. It is an amazing paragliding launch. We chose it over Cove and Mt. Edna because the good road provides easy access, and the many opportunities for catching thermals on the way down. I have identified some of the most consistent house thermals and pioneered LZ’s and launches near them, so that the Red Rock Nationals would be able to take advantage of any flyable conditions. If the winds are too strong at 11,000 feet we will be able to launch at 10,000 or 9,000, or 8,000 and be near great flying no matter what. This makes a great opportunity to form another club, the Monroe Cascade club, In the morning, when the air is still butter smooth we can launch from Monroe Peak land at Monroe 10, launch from Monroe 10 and Land at Monroe 9, Launch from Monroe 9 and land at Monroe 8, launch from Monroe 8 and land on the Monroe Training hill, Launch from the training hill and land at the Training hill LZ. This will be great practice for launching and spot landing and quite a challenge to complete besides being a fun way to have a sledder. Once again rides will be provided before the comp pilots need the vans. Anyone who is unsure of their launching and spot landing skills will be welcome to just take the 6000 foot sledder
#4) Incredible mountain scenery. Richfield, the host town of the 2011 Red Rock Nationals, sits in an incredibly scenic part of the country, boasting alpine peaks and lakes, green river valleys and desert badlands all within a short radius. Not surprisingly, three national parks are located nearby. The entire guide to Richfield and surrounding areas is on the Red Rock Nationals web site.
#5) The best pilots in the country and many of the best pilots in the world will be there. What a great place to see awesome flying, and rub shoulders with the greats of the sport.
Please email me, if you can spare a few days that week, or come for the whole thing, I am putting together the volunteers list. As you can see we have many things planned to make it a fun week for competitors and volunteers.
Hope to see you there
Stacy Whitmore
stacy@cuasa.com
435-979-0225
Note: The US Hawks Hang Gliding Association was specifically formed to meet the needs of hang gliding pilots. But we are not opposed to paragliding and many of our members enjoy both sports. For that reason, I felt it was appropriate to post this announcement on our club forum.
Now where's my flame proof emoticon?
