SAFA Skysailor Magazine

10 SKY SAILOR July | August 2024 Paragliding State of Origin 2024 by Peter Beamish – Paragliding State of Origin Competition Director & President, Newcastle Paragliding Club Queensland have done it again! Pulling off a ‘three-peat’ at the Paragliding State of Origin in 2024. The competition has been held at Mt Borah, Manilla, since 1996. It is a SAFA C sanction comp and a great way for Novice (PG2/3) to get into competition and XC flying in a fun and safe way. The Paragliding State of Origin (SoO) is a great event with friendly state rivalry. The competition sees QLD and NSW pilots go head-to-head, but also includes a ‘Barbarians’ team, made up of international pilots and pilots from other states. The camaraderie of the teams means pilots have the chance to build valuable XC experi- ence, and novice pilots get to add to their XC hours. This environment takes the pressure off novice pilots and lets them experience the thrills of a paragliding competition in a relaxed, fun setting.