Note to all beginners like me out there......

I just got my first superman under my belt on, of all things, a 3m ACE (yeah, it's windy today). Moreso? I was scudding along on my rear at the time. A gust just lifted me up and I pivoted to a graceful arms first attitude mid-air. Came down and had the wherewithall to apply full brakes and stop the insanity.

Now....I can't say it wasn't actually super fun but I should have waited a bit longer for my kite killers to arrive - more importantly I should have waited for my helmet!! Not to be completely reckless, I was wearing my pressure suit which arrived a few days ago....

I will not fly again until I have at the very least, killers installed but can quite confidently say I'll wait for the helmet too. Don't need to train bad habits like unwillingness to let go of the handles for fear of losing a kite or letting go for fear of hitting an unprotected brain.

I didn't think I needed kite killers till my first day of heavy winds and my 4.8 npw5. I got a rude awakening of the sheer power. I made some make-shift kk on the spot and I ordered some online that evening.

An old friend of mine with a great (although disturbed) sense of humour had these tee shirts made for a fund raiser in support of the Canadian National Hang Gliding team back in '99.

This is the actual X-Ray from the survivor, Don Glass, former Canadian World Hang Gliding Team member. This was taken after a wrong turn was taken at a (made for TV, phony) speed gliding contest down in Australia back in ‘97.

Consider getting a full face helmet!!!!

When I began, All I ever did was Superman's..
I got pretty damn good at it.. height and length..lol

People who saw me fly all the time would stand around waiting for my famous Superman..

ok Glideguy, That is a Nasty Picture..How is that guy now?? Damn.. Just Damn..

OUCH That's one nasty crash !

Are you paying attention NPW :?: :!:

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Originally posted by snowbird OUCH That's one nasty crash ! Are you paying attention NPW :?: :!:

LOL! (In reference to our daredevil NPW)

That is some serious breakage. How did he end up after the surgeries and wires and stuff?:wow:

I'd never heard of an accident during a speed gliding competition, but it's obvious it happens! When Chris Arai won one of those events, he figured his earnings at something like $26,000 her hour of flight. The idea of trying to stay in the air for as little time as possible is something I just can't seem to get my mind wrapped around. I hope Don has recovered!
I did a superman this summer and am still not 100%. Luckily my face landed in the only patch of sand for miles. Whiplash, stitches, chiropractor, contusions, bruises, broken glasses. These are not fun words when they describe yourself. Just Let Go!

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Just Let Go!

This is something so simple but at the same time so hard to do...when #@%$#! hits the fan, it happens in a millisecond! I continually practice just letting go and then I sometimes still don't have time...The thing to do is to let go just before you think it's going to all go wrong...only way to really 'get out' in time especially if you're 'strapped in'.

Unfortunately, the injuries that Don sustained ended his flying days. He was fortunate to to have survived though. Others I've known weren't as lucky.

Play safe guys.

Yes I am paying attention, don't get me wrong, I know the stuff I want to do is dangerous. But hey, I'm 16 I will try anything LOL! :bird:

NPW no offence, but its dangerous when you do it with the right equipment. Its sucide when you try and do it on a budget without the proper equipment. There I said my 2 cents, but I will still come and watch when you fly off the side of a hill with your ace.

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Originally posted by NPWfever Yes I am paying attention, don't get me wrong, I know the stuff I want to do is dangerous. But hey, I'm 16 I will try anything LOL! :bird:

Just checking! :wink2:

I'll take a shirt!