SAFA Skysailor Magazine

13 November | December 2021 SKY SAILOR On arrival in Border Village on the WA border, we found it closed due to Covid. We settled into comfortable cabins with café and bar facilities all within five kilometres of many launch sites – an unexpected bonus. We scouted the launches and were extreme- ly cautious – the cliffs had us all reassessing the risks! Survival kits included life jacket, Garmin InReach and overnight equipment should one of us water land. Ken, our experi- enced rescuer ,was well prepared if necessary. We discovered, flew and named many new sites, like ‘Old man’s launch’, most were dune or rocky launches allowing the opportunity of then flying onto the cliffs and return should the wind demand it. Cliff launches and top landings proved a hand full, yet fear was often worse than the reality. Some of us managed the conditions, however, we mostly bottom landed, swam, then climbed up arduously, hand over hand, mindful of falling rocks and where we placed our feet, fighting against the weight of our packs. Bitten by the Bight Right from top: Too risky – we decide to find a sand dune launch to take us up to the cliffs Ben takes every opportunity We agree to go to the pub and re-evaluate conditions Photos: Tony Sandeberg