SAFA Skysailor Magazine

47 WINTER 2025 | June-July-August SKY SAILOR formed, all turning in the same direction, main- taining the flow of the soft dawn thermal. Just above within metres, these wondrous birds looked so buoyant, their long beaks piercing the air like swords, their yellow ringed eyes fixed on the intruder. Reluc- tantly, they allowed him into their lift, out flying him, continuing on their way. On a Thursday morning one late summer, the forecast of easterly winds at 10-15kt was extremely favourable. Having prepared his equipment, radio and mobile phone batteries charged, he packed two litres of water, and a couple of muesli bars as sustenance. He rechecked the synoptic – a high just south, good spacing between isobars, 10-15kt south-east going east in the af- ternoon. Looking good! Grabbing his glider, he jumped in the car and headed for launch – a grassy expanse overlooking the sea, the windsock alive in the early morning breeze. He laid out his paraglider, pre-flighted and launched into the cool onshore sea-breeze. Clouds began to build on the canvas of blue sky, promising a perfect day. He headed north, flying over the track to the coastal walk: Tall gum trees leaning away from the dominant southerlies, rainforests emerging from the valley floor, large-leafed tropical trees and towering palms overseeing the forest canopy. A gaggle of pelicans circle in lift and he quickly heads over to join them. Hesitant as he approached, they broke and re- Photos: Tony Sandeberg