was no accidents but we just didn’t know what would happen. Steve and Gui are both base jumpers and while they didn’t think conditions were that great, they both agreed they’d be much more comfortable with a base rig than a paraglider! The next task was much more wholesome. Late November is a great time for hiking in the Arab Emirates - it’s hotter than anything the European athletes have experienced, but cool for this part of the world. The northern province of Ras al Khaimah is a gateway to the Hajar mountains which lie between the Persian Gulf and Oman.
Flying conditions were actually very pleasant, gentle well formed thermals giving us views of dry jagged peaks stretching off into the distance. At least they were on the practice day - on the day of the task a north wind put us into the lee, and conditions were very scratchy. Starting mid-mountain we climbed to the launches near the top of Jebel Jais and flew, having to land again to sign our names at the start, before ascending to the next turn point above us. The winners actually packed up and hiked, I flew my way up but it was so slow that Spike (from Poland
whose guest house I stayed at in the Dolomites) attempted to fly, gave up, slope landed in the same place a second time, walked up, and finally overtook me. I believe he did have rather a sore head from the exertion, however - worse than any day in the X-Alps, he said. At the finish the organisers facilitated a carnival atmosphere, we filled out bellies courtesy of the Arabian hospitality, and we had prize giving with the local Sheikh giving the nod of approval for a new paragliding site, our transgressions at venturing too close to the Omani border the day before seemingly forgiven. The Dune task. Stopping by the road to have a closer look at the camels, our ridge seemed to tower in the distance. It was an optical illusion - when we arrived it had shrunk somehow. But it was still the perfect place to gather the desert breeze and offer world class soaring. You could play waggas in the sand, thermal up to a thousand metres, or glide along the ridge. Of course the environment is inhospitable to your wing with the red gritty sand but my Gin Puma has had a good life, with a long summer full of adventures.
Left; A carnival atmosphere after the mountain task
12 A i r b o r n
Above; Playing with the Gin Puma, dune reconnaissance day
Below; Waggas while watching the sunset
