NEWS FROM WINGTECH and AIRBORNE:

This weekend, Alby Daniel (aka Wingtech & sailmaker extraordinaire) along with the Newcastle Hang Gliding Club and Airborne Windsports are holding the second annual Stingfest!

What is it? It's a (very relaxed and informal) hang gliding meet aimed at all HGFA members with aerotow experience. Pilots who fly Stings will get special privileges but ALL pilots and ALL wings are very welcome.

Where is it? At Denman in the Hunter Valley (it's one of the prettiest places I've ever flown).

When? From Saturday 9am.

I've just returned from the Easter Tumut Fly-in. It was a "feel-good" event with a packed campground, and local flying sites buZZing with hang gliding (and some paragliding) activity.

Above:  Novice pilot, Drewe Waller, launches from Honeysuckle on Day 1 in his Moyes Sonic 165.

Last week, I dusted off my wings for some free flying at Stanwell.  The wind had been blowing west all day, and finally the local onshore sea breeze out-powered the upper winds.  What resulted was some amazing convergence as the two air masses collided and reflected upwards.  The photo below shows these effects: calm wind on the water and clouds from the lift produced.

Above:  Soaring my Moyes Litespeed in the light convergence lifting off above Stanwell Park.  -Check out the clean lines of my Matrix harness.

Photo below:  The view of the Bald Hill Lookout, that our tandem hang gliding passengers get to see.  Again, it's worth

Be sure to check out the Red Bull Glorious Days TV program tomorrow in Australia.
Channel 9 broadcast times:
NSW and VIC - 1.30pm (leading into the cricket)
QLD - 12.30pm
SA - 1.00pm

The Morning Glory is weather phenomenon that happens every year in only one place in the world: at the top of Australia, near Burketown, QLD.
It's basically an intense "roll cloud" (up to 1000 km long) that marches in from the Gulf of Carpentaria that can be surfed by

Last week's story, pics, and video...

After 15 years of hang gliding, I'm still having so much fun and continuing to fly new places. Last week, Rodrigo, Rudy, Nari and I made good use of the 25 knot NE coastal breeze.  Flying less competitions and now instructing more can have it's advantages:  -You get to play on the beach!  "Dune Gooning", which is soaring the low sand-dunes, is a great aspect of hang gliding that many pilots never get the chance to try.  My friend Rudy Gotes, who's been flying 31 years, finally had his opportunity...and loved it.

Above: Rudy Gotes, of Mexico, soaring the 900 millimeter sand-dune in the Airborne Fun 190 hang glider

Photo below: Nari (Japan) fine-tuning his skills in his Airborne Fun 160

We're lucky to live in such a fabulous place where our friends and family are happy to visit us.
Our futons and guest room, here at Stanwell park, will get some good mileage this season from...all sorts.

Rodrigo has just arrived from Mexico and will be spending some time with us, flying the comps and helping out on the hill.

PHOTO: Rodrigo scoring a flight in the Moyes Malibu at Hill 60, Wollongong.

Check out Rodridgo's video below of the flying school he works at with Rudy Gotes, who's visiting us soon, too...

Besides the blog, there other ways to stay tuned in to what's happening with Warren Windsports and hang gliding.

Warren Windsports in now on Facebook. Become "a fan" (friend) and stay in touch with us. Why Facebook? This should prove to be a great interactive platform for

Warren Windsports BBQ for the flying community.

Photo:  Flying tandem above Stanwell Tops

Kick-off Party to start the season and catch up with friends, and network with the local hang gliding and paragliding pilots.

Sausages and salad will be provided, but please RSVP.

Sydney's winter hang gliding site, the Bone Yard, delivers last month:

West Winds in Sydney are usually spent surfing the offshore waves. Last week, a few of us were looking for something different and headed to Frenchman's Bay of Sydney.

Gerolf, Steve Elliot, and Noma, brought the new Moyes single-surface prototype for us to play with. -Looks like it will be named either: Moyes Litespirit or Moyes Malibu

There was a small water-spout (!) straight out front as we arrived at the sand dune.

"Looks good; you go first".

30 minutes later, Steve Elliot was first off...

....but wait it get's better....