10 March 2010

The air is buzzing with excitement.  Blue skies, no rain, only concern is strength of wind.  Looks like we may have to relocate to another take off site other than Mystic because of wind direction as well.  Looks like it will be The Pines because of the expected South West wind.Mystic works in a North.

Evan Lamberton from New Zealand gave me a refresher on the Flytec 5020 GPS which was very helpful.

The day begins....

09 March 2010

Day 4 Cancelled.  Rain clouds and wind.

Tomorrow looks good for flying.

Thank you always to those in South Africa who send me words of encouragement.  I have not performed as I would like to and if I share my feelings - well, I feel I have strayed from my path, lost contact with the Universe and this is unsettling for me.  I feel...lost  .. at least for the moment.

I have chosen to fly traditional competitions this year to see what I am capable of, to give me focus at a time when my life was turned upside down.  There is a feeling of familiar emptiness.  I thought having a goal would give me something to hang onto, but I doubt my choice.  This is not freedom ... this is warding off fear, of boxing emotions.

Travelling is good for me, it is in my blood and Soul, but I find I want to sit awhile, far away from people, and from the demands I put on myself.  I want to run to the deserts, burying myself in its 'endless' horisons, its honesty, and its solitude, but I committed to these competitions and feel I must see them through and give them my best shot.  I am not one to give up when the going gets tough.  As one pilot said: You just need a good day to set you right. Probably right.  Flying connects me to my Source like few experiences do.

And I would like to see what I am capable of.  I remind myself : Take one day at a time - you can be amazed at what  you are capable of if you know it will last only one day.

My kit is sorted, I just have to go over my route entries in my Flytec 5020, read through my planning notes and have a good night sleep.

Tomorrow is a new day, with new experiences and adventure and I am open to embracing it.

I have a care parcel arriving from South Africa soon :-)

Have packed some sun & perfect flying conditions - sent speed post. Hope it gets there by tomorrow.

Thank you Dessie :-)

South Africa's Top 5 Competition Paragliding Women
Their National and World Rankings

1.     Khobi-Jane Bowden  (31st in the Women's World Rankings - down one place internationally)
2.     Des Pansi  (37th in the World - no change in Ranking)
3.    Gaynor Schoeman  (44th in World Ranking - up 7 places internationally and 1 place nationally)
4.    Tracey King  (50th, down 3 places internationally and 1 place nationally)
5.    Chrissi Drunk (51st, up 3 places internationally)

These rankings are important to our South African lady pilots as they will determine which female is best qualified to represent South Africa at the 2011 Paragliding World Championships in Piedrahita, Spain.  At present the official website has information mostly about the 2010 Pre-Worlds in July, an important competition in the run up to the big event in 2011 and one I hope to attend. The Paragliding World Championships is held every two years and can be likened to the Olympics where the nations best male and female pilots gather to compete.

South Africa has a small band of women pilots striving to be the best they can be.  This year, three of us in particular, Des, Khobi and I are competing internationally, honing our skills and improving our world rankings with a view to being THE flygirl who represents the feminine aspect of South African paragliding in 2011.

Des has been particularly encouraging, actively marketing what we hope will be the first ever South African Ladies Team to the first ever Women's Paragliding Open in Ager, Spain this year.   Des Pansi is sponsored by Hippo , and is the only fully sponsored South African female pilot. Being sponsored herself is not enough for our pint sized SA Ladies Long Distance Champion. Des is selflessly devoting time, energy and expertise into helping other South African women to realise their full potential.    Please contact Des Pansi directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it should you wish to become involved.

Where do you find a woman who will promote other women to be the best they can be in our sport?  In a little town called De Aar in the Northern Cape of South Africa.

Here are the top 100 women world rankings:

New South Wales Hanggliding Titles
Manilla, Australia, 14 February - 20 February 2010

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