Nelson Paragliding Nationals 2021

NZ Paragliding Open

Nelson 2021

Eighty one paraglider pilots (including a small number of overseas pilots who had been trapped in paradise since the beginning of Covid-19), their partners and drivers from around New Zealand enthusiastically descended upon the mapua Leisure Park for the 2021 New Zealand Paragliding open.

The campground, which had notoriety for being a naturist retreat in its heyday, was an inspired choice by the organisers of the competition, Peter Allison and Lyn Watkins, as the place to locate the headquarters, as it meant that most pilots based themselves there and it made for a very sociable time. Saturday 20 Feb

Registration started at the Leisure Park on the Saturday afternoon, and a couple of seminars were also run on various topics. At six a compulsory safety briefing was held for all pilots in the hall, which was decked out with a multitude of flags from around the world (but also inexplicably included a NZ Railways flag).

This briefing was followed by a yummy BBQ for everyone, overlooking the Mapua Estuary. This was organised and catered for by Dave Marriott, his daughter Ellie, and partners Clare and Ramon. They also did the curry night event and the prize giving meal, which were also amazing. Sunday 21 Feb

The day kicked off with an 8:30 am briefing on the weather and the announcement that we were heading to Takaka Hill. We headed off in a convoy with the compulsory stop at the bakery in Motueka and then the inevitable parawaiting. A cats-cradle task was announced racing started at 1:15pm. Hamish Barker “jumped the gun” by a

By Sven Ericksen

whopping 73 seconds. Obviously he didn’t look behind to wonder why no one else was chasing him to the first turn point!

Twenty three pilots made it to goal, with Luke Nicol taking one hour and 23 seconds to complete the speed section. Twenty five pilots, however, misjudged their glide angles or were maybe overly optimistic as to the amount of lift that they would encounter after they left the hill on the final glide towards goal, and landed short. Monday 22 Feb

An early briefing at 8:00 am was called as Mt Murchison was posited as the place to be that day, and indeed it was. We were only given a few minutes after briefing to have all our stuff ready before the convoy headed off (and this time with a compulsory stop at the Wakefield Bakery for supplies). A rendezvous was made at Rait Road, where the compulsory feeding of the sandflies occurred, and we then headed up the mountain, with some of the vehicles struggling with overheating.

The task committee rapidly organised a task taking us down the Tutaki Valley, crossing the Matakitaki River at the southern end, with the goal near the Mangles Valley Road turn-off.

Race start was at 1:30pm and pilots split into two groups. The main group headed directly south to follow the western side of the valley, while a smaller group headed across the valley to the eastern slopes. Both groups had members of the top ten finishers, so both strategies seemed to work. Aaron Ford was the first pilot into goal, having taken two hours, ten minutes and 18 seconds, but Louis Tapper took first place in the rankings for the day, despite being almost two and half minutes later, due to his significant lead-out points. Tuesday 23 Feb

We drove up to the top of Barnicoat and huddled in groups wishing we had more layers of warm clothing as low cloud scudded closely overhead. At the briefing that was eventually called, Peter Allison, one of the organisers, caused a bit of mirth when he repeated Sven’s observation that “a NZ record for the greatest number of paraglider pilots all at cloud base at the same

Right; Andy Maloney launching at Takaka

Photo: Sven Ericksen

Below; First briefing at Mapua Leisure Park

Photo: Sven Ericksen

two Photo Stephen Scott

time had been achieved”. Shortly afterwards the day was cancelled for competition flying and people dispersed to amuse themselves around the Nelson region.

In the evening Louis Tapper gave a “horse race” presentation at Eddyline Bar of the previous two tasks - see the Ayvri visualisations in the “links” URL below. Pilots talked about the various strategies that they had taken in the previous two days of flying, and if one could remember what they said it would be very useful for improving future flying, but I can’t! Wednesday 24 Feb

The day dawned wet and windy and the day was cancelled...

That evening Dave and his able crew catered for the delicious “Curry Night”, and Eddyline provided lots of their delicious beer. Thursday 25 Feb

Another day of expected inclement weather so the “powers that be” cancelled the day at the morning briefing. One group of adventurous pilots headed to Nelson Lakes National Park and went to the top end of Lake Rotoiti to canyon Chandler Stream - a series of seven waterfalls. The hot fun was counter-balanced by the coolth of the icy water. More details of the canyon in the ‘link’ below. On another expedition Rob “Baitman” Boyle caught a whopper of a snapper in Tasman Bay. (The author unfortunately did not get to partake in this subsequently...) Friday 26 Feb

This morning saw us headed out to Octopus Park with the intention of then convoying up to Barnicoat, but the weather forecast had us reconvening back at Octy early in the afternoon. However, the first task was to have a group photo, with all of us wearing our beautiful blue competition tee-shirts (see below).

We then all dispersed to enjoy the alternative attractions of Nelson. Settling into a relaxing coffee twenty minutes later we were urgently advised that plans had changed and that we were to head to Havelock ASAP. Ninety minutes later we were all (or at least most of us) assembled at the base of a hill on Readers Road opposite the Foote’s Hill launch site.

We headed up a hill to a topdressing strip, and then hiked further up to the launch site. A task was set with the goal near Linkwater. However, the task was cancelled shortly after it started for safety reasons - this was due to task legs being in the lee of the prevailing wind. Many pilots then flew down to the bomb-out field. Later in the afternoon a number of pilots headed up Barnicoat for some free flying in the evening restitution. Saturday 27 Feb

An early start was called for as it was thought the only option for the day would be Mt Murchison, and it was prize-giving night - so it promised to be a long day. However, the weather gurus announced that we would be heading to Blowhard in the Wairau Valley instead. We gathered at the base and then made the long journey up to the launch site.

Because of prize giving, a goal down the Rainbow Valley was discounted and instead a “three leg” cats-cradle was tasked for the

Upper right: Launching at Mt Murchison Right; Record number of pilots at cloudbase Photos: Sven Ericksen

On Reserves

The last task didn’t contribute much to the comp results, but long after points are forgotten, many pilots will remember the challenge of battling turbulence into a strong valley wind which wasn’t forecast. An exercise in survival sharpens the senses as the pilot draws on all their skills to manage their glider in the rough air. Pilots who decide against finding a safe landing are constantly monitoring the conditions against what is possible with their glider and skill set.

Jan, Russ and Tom chose the high ground route after the turnpoint, ended up together closing with the Blowhard ridge on the left in an effort to avoid the strongest wind in the valley. It was the roughest option, but it offered the possibility of leeside thermals off the spines getting us up above the range and the worst of the valley wind. Out to the right some had elected to fly up the centre of the valley and were doing well, others including Robbo and John Morgan were in between, having a harder time over the foothills of the Raglan range.

I didn’t see John throw his reserve, but I watched him go down for a few seconds, hauling his Enzo in to get it under control. He finished up with a hard landing on the side of a rocky outcrop, one spine back from us. It looked gnarly, and I turned to fly out for a closer look. But a few seconds later John was on the radio giving the all ok call. I put out the reserve deployed call which interestingly wasn’t picked up by the organisation, and it was about 15 minutes later the task was stopped.

It was surreal watching John that evening at the prize giving, with a renewed appreciation for his big smile and easy laugh. Thank goodness for reserves... - Russ Read

Clockwise from Left; Paragliders in front of Blowhard launch - task 3 Free-flying at Havelock, shortly after the task was

cancelled Photos; Rhys Akers

Walking up Readers Road hill, Havelock

Photo: Sven Ericksen

Canyoning Chandler Creek, Lake Rotoiti on a wet day

Photo; Andy Maloney

Post-briefing task entry at Blowhard, task 3

Photo; Kate Flemm

Ripped wing after a reserve throw at Blowhard

Photo Zoe Snowden

Wairau Valley, with strict instructions as to which side of the valley we were to land in if it were either upstream or downstream of the bridge. What wasn’t taken into account was the two metre high “cliffs” that bounded long sections of the river, and which provided some pilots an “interesting” challenge after they landed.

The large number of pilots in front of launch prior to the race start provided spectacular opportunities for photographs. Unfortunately 38 minutes into the race the task was stopped due to increasing winds, which were causing turbulence along the spurs. One pilot had to throw their reserve and landed in trees, fortunately without injury to himself, but not the same could be said for his wing.

Luke Nicol was in the lead at the time and won the day for a second time. Unfortunately for Luke he had “raced to the ground” (along with some other top pilots) in the second race, and Louis Tapper, who had flown consistently in all three races took top honours at the prize giving dinner held later that evening at the Mapua Community Hall. Photos and details of all the prize winners will be in the next issue of Airborn.

Many thanks to the organisers Peter Allison and Lyn Watkins (who also designed the great tee-shirts), the chief scorer Kyla MacDonald and her able assistant Johnny

Above; Flying at Blowhard -

task 3 Photo: Rhys Akers

Hopper, the caterers Dave Marriott, his daughter Ellie, and partners Clare and Ramon, everyone in the Tasman Club who also assisted, all the drivers and the sponsors (listed below) and anyone else that I’ve forgotten.

Links to results, Ayvri 3D visualisations and more: https:// tinyurl.com/PGOpen21

Sponsors:

Eddyline Brewery Pizzeria, Pics Peanut Butter, Wings and Waves, Brisk Insurance, Hoppers Happy Hens, Little Beauties, Penati, Appleby Farms, Fuji Xerox, Reality Mechanic, NelsonTasman.nz, Glide Pro, Flow Paragliders, Pure Sports Nutrition, E’stel, Fairhaven, Cross Country, Yank and OSM.

Iwas delighted to hear that the PG Nationals were to be held in a clothes optional holiday camp this year - perhaps Johnny Hopper could shock the locals by putting his trousers ON this year!

Sadly, the weather didn’t cooperate - and the option of displaying blue gooseflesh to public gaze was not a popular one amongst the paragliding community, except during the nightly visits to the campground sauna.

A week of what was supposed to be lovely weather (due to a large high over NZ) turned out to be somewhat moist and often windy. “It was beautiful last week!” was an oft - heard phrase from the locals, much as it is at every PG nationals in recent years.

Flying wise, there was one really great day, a task from Mt Murchison down the Tutaki valley to the Matakitaki and back, 57km of pure joy to goal (Yes, I made goal for the first time in years), which made the whole week worthwhile. There was a reasonable day at Takaka Hill doing a cat’s cradle task, which I stuffed up due to putting an unattainable 400m cylinder around the Hailes Knob turnpoint instead of a 1km cylinder - but the disappointment was lessened by flying over a brilliant scarlet patch of flowering southern rata - a botanists wet dream!

A third task was set at Havelock (as the Nelson region was clagged in with low cloud), but the task was canceled due to potentially dangerous turbulence, though at least we got to fly down to the bomb out paddock!

With only one more good task needed for a valid Nationals, and a good weather forecast, we all went up Mt Blowhard, 1400m above the Wairau Valley. Conditions were perfect when Duncan ‘the Magnificent’ McNab wind-dummied for us. Sadly, as soon as the task was opened, the west wind joined the party and conditions got dangerous for any pilots low behind spurs, and the wind made the westward leg from TP1 impossible, so the task was stopped, sadly with insufficient points for a valid nationals. On top of that, a wazzock* damaged a gate really pissing off the landowner and potentially loosing the site. By now, every pilot should know to respect private property. Please everyone, think before such selfish acts!

Despite the indifferent weather, for me the paragliding Nationals is always a fun week. Meeting old and new friends, and having fun even when not flying - and what could be more fun than getting cold and wet in a deep and gloomy canyon near Lake Rotoiti on a wet and dreary day!

A group of us pilots-cum-canyoneers, lead by Mal Haskins (who knows a bit about adventure guiding), got the water taxi across Lake Rotoiti to Chandler’s Creek; and with more ropes, harnesses and rubber suits than a sado-masocists convention, we spent four hours traveling a whole 400m down the canyon. More fun than a barrel of bushbabies!

Sadly, the week came to an end, with the usual (excellent) dinner and awards presentation. Despite my frequent reminders to the organiser (Peter Allison) during the week, my suggestion of a prize for ‘most mediocre’ pilot - (the only prize I’m likely to be in the running for) was nearly overlooked. A word in the ear of Rob Boyle the MC corrected that, but sadly I did far too well in the overall scores, and the prize went to a deserving Derek Divers. Maybe I’ll shine next year...

Rob also forgot to ask me to recite some limericks during the prize-giving, so to spare you all from missing out, here is one of my favorites: A competition pilot from Bright Had a wing that flew faster than light She launched it one day in a relative way And made goal on the previous night That pilot of Bright she did chatter “I’ve learned something new about matter! My speed was so great that I gained lots of weight But I failed to become any fatter!” (apologies to those people who didn’t do physics at school for that one)

Thanks to all the hard work from all the organisers, and the people at Mapua Motor Camp for making a great week despite the weather * Wazzock is the Yorkshire word for a bull’s penis, straightened out and dried into a walking stick. Commonly used to mean an idiot, as in “You stupid wazzock!” Yes, YOU!