SAFA Skysailor Magazine

11 September | October 2021 SKY SAILOR Hoffman’s launch from the air Photo: Nick Neynens The crew of SeXC Camp 2021 It is extremely important that all visiting pilots contact the club before visiting any Killarney sites. All launches are on private land and require prior notification before arrival. Contacts can be found at www.wickedwings.com.au app. The drivers’ commitment to getting to pilots quickly and efficiently meant pilots rarely waited more than 30 minutes for a retrieve. With great conditions at both sites, nu- merous PBs were achieved with many pilots flying more than 100km each day. After three days of perfect flying conditions, the Manilla contingent saw forecast of strong winds for the fourth day of the event and chose to drive back north to Killarney. This turned out to be a wise move and a sky full of fluffy cu’s greeted the reunited team on the SE launch. It pays to be fluid as a paraglider pilot. It was a spectac- ular day of flying where altitude was limited at times only by airspace rather than conditions. Typical of Killarney, convergence clouds at different levels provided incredible views of cloud candy the entire day as most pilots headed NW, crunching kilometers. A change of wind direction in the afternoon provided an opportunity to head back, and several pilots completed impressive triangles. Hammed capped off the successful SeXC Camps with a flight back from Allora to Killarney, landing in spectacular fashion after six hours in the air, streamer unfurled, bang in the middle of the campground as the sun touched the horizon. Rowan Gorringe flew 165km on the first day at Killarney and reflected on what made SeXC Camp memorable for him: “Whilst that long flight on the Saturday was a PB for me, it was the last day’s flight, on Tuesday, that echoes in my memory. It was the crescendo of three previous amazing days of camaraderie, laughter and joyful flying. We launched in almost nil wind, and were taken to base under a deliciously puffy cloud in a bluebird sky, with the emerald countryside of two Australian states patchworked below. The light wind gave pilots their choice of direction and the freedom had us in an exhilarated limbo until we each stopped circling and headed off on our paths. As I flew my line, I heard the voices of besties over the radio – then I’d spot one of them popping out behind a cloud or on the next range. I remember thinking, ‘I love these people, this place, the flying game’. A magical day.” The SeXC Camps highlighted the beauty and potential for flying in the ranges and flatlands of NSW and Queensland, as well as the inclu- sivity of the Australian flying community, and what people can achieve when knowledge and support are freely given, as they say: “SeXC as, bro.” IMPORTANT