Paragliding Idiocy
Well, I'm an idiot.
My desperation to get my glider out of its bag backfired on me today. I went to a couple fields close to my place, seeking a good place to groundhandle. I found such a place at a nearby school.
As I was laying my glider out, I already had an audience of 4 or 5 kids. I wasn't too keen on them being there, as it was somewhat gusty, but I figured it would be okay. After inflating my glider a few times, they all demanded that I fly. I explained to them that it wasn't that easy, but after they pointed to a small hill behind me, I figured a 5 second flight was doable.
I reverse-inflated my glider, turned around, and started pushing forward. Suddenly, my forward momentum was stopped. I looked around and saw half my wing in 2 trees. FUCK! How could I be so blind? I spent the next 45 minutes untangling my wing, from 2 young trees, about 12 feet high. Thankfully one could bend the shit out of them, and they still maintained their form. Two women helped me out too - it was an experience to say the least. Needless to say, that's the first and last time I attempt to groundhandle there. I hope the neighbors didn't take pictures!
After my glider was free, one of the women mentioned that she always dreamt of paragliding. She then said she was scared, as her friends' friend died doing it. Apparently, as she described it, his wing turned him, and he slammed into some rocks. Asymmetric deflation I'm assuming. Her story wasn't one that I really wanted to hear, but I suppose the reminder of safety always has to be at the back of one's mind.
Well, my glider is in a knotted disaster, so I have a project for tomorrow. I really hope there's no damage - I'll have to check the lines over especially well. I'm covered is scrapes and scratches from the trees, and the lacerations on the palm of my hand hurt like hell. Nothing worthwhile comes easy, and on days like today, I'm certainly learning that.
Somewhere, someone had an amazing flight today. Maybe tomorrow will be my turn.
My desperation to get my glider out of its bag backfired on me today. I went to a couple fields close to my place, seeking a good place to groundhandle. I found such a place at a nearby school.
As I was laying my glider out, I already had an audience of 4 or 5 kids. I wasn't too keen on them being there, as it was somewhat gusty, but I figured it would be okay. After inflating my glider a few times, they all demanded that I fly. I explained to them that it wasn't that easy, but after they pointed to a small hill behind me, I figured a 5 second flight was doable.
I reverse-inflated my glider, turned around, and started pushing forward. Suddenly, my forward momentum was stopped. I looked around and saw half my wing in 2 trees. FUCK! How could I be so blind? I spent the next 45 minutes untangling my wing, from 2 young trees, about 12 feet high. Thankfully one could bend the shit out of them, and they still maintained their form. Two women helped me out too - it was an experience to say the least. Needless to say, that's the first and last time I attempt to groundhandle there. I hope the neighbors didn't take pictures!
After my glider was free, one of the women mentioned that she always dreamt of paragliding. She then said she was scared, as her friends' friend died doing it. Apparently, as she described it, his wing turned him, and he slammed into some rocks. Asymmetric deflation I'm assuming. Her story wasn't one that I really wanted to hear, but I suppose the reminder of safety always has to be at the back of one's mind.
Well, my glider is in a knotted disaster, so I have a project for tomorrow. I really hope there's no damage - I'll have to check the lines over especially well. I'm covered is scrapes and scratches from the trees, and the lacerations on the palm of my hand hurt like hell. Nothing worthwhile comes easy, and on days like today, I'm certainly learning that.
Somewhere, someone had an amazing flight today. Maybe tomorrow will be my turn.
posted by Veronica at 3:19 AM
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