The New Paragliding Fanatic
Wow, it's been almost two months exactly since I last posted something here. And that's exactly how long it's been since I've done any paragliding too.
There were days in the last couple months were I definitely could have flown, but I had my usual bag of excuses.
I still enjoy paragliding, and my enthusiasm for flying always returns when I travel someplace new to fly, or I fly in a competition, or I'm pretty certain I'll be able to fly some distance that day. But outside of that, on a daily basis, I find it hard to convince myself to drive two hours to fly just to fly. I think I have finally figured out why paragliding has lost part of its appeal for me: Challenge.
A flight with no challenge is a flight that I often find boring. It sounds terrible to say, with paragliding being such an incredible thing to be able to do to begin with, but if you've done something hundreds of times, it simply becomes repetition. However, if you are presented with a challenge, the task itself changes, as you start to analyze, calculate and define what it is you must do to conquer the challenge and achieve your goal.
I think this explains why I am not fond of ridge soaring, sleddies, or flights where I am restricted to the bubble infront of launch on days where thermals are small and weak. This type of flying is not challenging, or like staying in light lift, it's challenging, but in a highly redundant way. Similarly, I think this also explains why I am drawn to competitions - the notion of making goal is a challenge presented to you in the form of GPS coordinates your instrument is reminding you of every second of your flight. Your challenge in a competition is to make goal, but it's the final challenge in a vast array of challenges you will face on your journey to get there.
It's safe to say that as a person, I get bored easily and tend to entertain myself through childish antics when there's nothing to do on launch, or after landing. So I suppose it's carried over to actual flying as well. I purposely land all the time because I'm simply bored or I don't bother to go flying at all because I feel indifferent about the less-than-stellar-conditions - is that a terrible thing to say? Can paragliding be boring? Am I the crazy one when everyone else lands with smiles on their faces exclaiming how smooth the air was, how fun it was to fly for four hours, when I would describe my own flight as say, average?
I feel guilty for making a post like this. I am certainly not nearly skilled enough to say I have mastered any one part of paragliding, and that's what's causing the boredom, because I certainly have not. It's not that I don't have great flights and it's not that I don't enjoy the sport as a whole or am just jaded as a person. Although I can often sit and read for hours on end, I just don't get the same level of entertainment or enjoyment out of many paragliding flights. I know it sounds strange but I hope it's okay to admit that, even though I often feel I am alone in my sentiments.
I've made posts similar to this one in the past, just about how my feelings towards the sport have changed, so this is nothing new, although I think narrowing it down to thinking about it in terms of challenges, is. I had a good early start to the season, flying in Nepal, and having some great flights in Pemberton and Golden. Flying a personal best in Golden was especially awesome this year and I still get excited talking about that flight - that flight challenged me on a LOT of different levels, that's for sure.
For everyone who lands excited when I am not, I try feeding off their energy and try to share in their excitement, although secretly I envy and wish how I could be like them.
Perhaps I just need to find my own zen within paragliding again - that moment when you're just happy to be flying. And if my moment comes a lot sooner than everyone else's, I need to start accepting that too.
------------
I don't think I will update my blog until I fly again. It may happen in three months, or perhaps six. Or maybe before the year ends, an opportunity to fly will come my way. I would like to explore someplace new - perhaps Brazil? Perhaps Europe again? A new challenge presented by a new flying environment alone almost guarantees good flights when travelling.
No matter what the case, I wish my fellow pilot friends who are flying now, very happy, enjoyable, and challenging (in a positive way, of course) flights.
There were days in the last couple months were I definitely could have flown, but I had my usual bag of excuses.
I still enjoy paragliding, and my enthusiasm for flying always returns when I travel someplace new to fly, or I fly in a competition, or I'm pretty certain I'll be able to fly some distance that day. But outside of that, on a daily basis, I find it hard to convince myself to drive two hours to fly just to fly. I think I have finally figured out why paragliding has lost part of its appeal for me: Challenge.
A flight with no challenge is a flight that I often find boring. It sounds terrible to say, with paragliding being such an incredible thing to be able to do to begin with, but if you've done something hundreds of times, it simply becomes repetition. However, if you are presented with a challenge, the task itself changes, as you start to analyze, calculate and define what it is you must do to conquer the challenge and achieve your goal.
I think this explains why I am not fond of ridge soaring, sleddies, or flights where I am restricted to the bubble infront of launch on days where thermals are small and weak. This type of flying is not challenging, or like staying in light lift, it's challenging, but in a highly redundant way. Similarly, I think this also explains why I am drawn to competitions - the notion of making goal is a challenge presented to you in the form of GPS coordinates your instrument is reminding you of every second of your flight. Your challenge in a competition is to make goal, but it's the final challenge in a vast array of challenges you will face on your journey to get there.
It's safe to say that as a person, I get bored easily and tend to entertain myself through childish antics when there's nothing to do on launch, or after landing. So I suppose it's carried over to actual flying as well. I purposely land all the time because I'm simply bored or I don't bother to go flying at all because I feel indifferent about the less-than-stellar-conditions - is that a terrible thing to say? Can paragliding be boring? Am I the crazy one when everyone else lands with smiles on their faces exclaiming how smooth the air was, how fun it was to fly for four hours, when I would describe my own flight as say, average?
I feel guilty for making a post like this. I am certainly not nearly skilled enough to say I have mastered any one part of paragliding, and that's what's causing the boredom, because I certainly have not. It's not that I don't have great flights and it's not that I don't enjoy the sport as a whole or am just jaded as a person. Although I can often sit and read for hours on end, I just don't get the same level of entertainment or enjoyment out of many paragliding flights. I know it sounds strange but I hope it's okay to admit that, even though I often feel I am alone in my sentiments.
I've made posts similar to this one in the past, just about how my feelings towards the sport have changed, so this is nothing new, although I think narrowing it down to thinking about it in terms of challenges, is. I had a good early start to the season, flying in Nepal, and having some great flights in Pemberton and Golden. Flying a personal best in Golden was especially awesome this year and I still get excited talking about that flight - that flight challenged me on a LOT of different levels, that's for sure.
For everyone who lands excited when I am not, I try feeding off their energy and try to share in their excitement, although secretly I envy and wish how I could be like them.
Perhaps I just need to find my own zen within paragliding again - that moment when you're just happy to be flying. And if my moment comes a lot sooner than everyone else's, I need to start accepting that too.
------------
I don't think I will update my blog until I fly again. It may happen in three months, or perhaps six. Or maybe before the year ends, an opportunity to fly will come my way. I would like to explore someplace new - perhaps Brazil? Perhaps Europe again? A new challenge presented by a new flying environment alone almost guarantees good flights when travelling.
No matter what the case, I wish my fellow pilot friends who are flying now, very happy, enjoyable, and challenging (in a positive way, of course) flights.
posted by Veronica at 9:50 PM
4 Comments:
Hi. I think you are experiencing what many pilots come to experince.
I've been flying paragliders since 1995 and i must say that i recognice what you are writing from my own experience.
Flying is a passion that i never se myself live without but now i almost never fly just to fly.
Challenge in flights as in comps and in XC are now my main goal.
I try to visit new places as often as possible and can recommend you both to fly in Brasil (GV) and in the Alps. There are awsome places waiting to be visited.
Whish you safe and happy flights.
Keep up the posts.
Regards from Norway.
Hey, Nica(thought I could call you like that). I had just finished reading your blog from Sep06 til this one. Feels like I had been flying along side with you for a long time! From your early days struggling with the Apco(unfornately I'm flying one now) to your Ozone Rush time and now the Addict; From when you still worked in the casino, to occasionally wearing some smelly mascot costume to now settled down with a full time job; From your powerline near-death experience to getting your tandem rating and conque the 107km; From your exciting SIV course to your frustrating Manilla trip and the scary experience you had in French which triggered you to give warning to all the women...Man! don't stop posting, keep up the effort! Think about the old days if you can find enough excitments. At least you know there are some 'fans' following your blog, including me, a never-met novice in Down Under (Melbourne). Do a post next time you come to Bright. Cheers mate!
Anonymous: It's always nice to hear you're not alone, and thank you for reading. Doing something for 15 years is a long time, but I'm glad you still have passion. I'd love to check out Norway one of these days.
Nelson: Wow, I can't believe you read my entire blog! I cringe at some of the posts I made a few years ago, but I'm glad you found them interesting enough to keep reading! Thank you for joining me on my journey and for reminding me of some of the adventures I've had - your comment made me smile.
All the best to you Down Under - Australia has a lot of great flying spots and I'm sure you'll have (or already do have) plenty of paragliding stories to tell of your own. All the best to you!
Keep smiling Nica,I'm sure there are heaps of challenge out there waiting to wake you up. You just need to find them, and you will find them. How about make another trip to Down Under-NZ and make a short film out of it? Para-Adventure or Para-Kiwi-Kangaroo?:)
I recalled some of my thinking process when I read your early posts, yeah, lots of para-waiting.
I don't have the luxury of living at or close to a flying site, 1.5hrs is the minimum drive for me to possibly fly, while I had done one day trip to Bright(7hrs both ways) quite a few times, I know...it is a bit crazy. I'm still at that stage with only 60 hrs on the book. And I'm more eager now as have grounded for 10 months, enjoying time with my little baby girl.
Come back to Aussie, there is a new site recently opened around Bright area https://sites.google.com/site/gundowringsite/Home/site-guide. Also, there's a great coastal-inland combined site (Apollo Bay) in Victoria, I know you don't like the boring soring, but it will make a good holiday dest for you.(some info on our club http://skyhighparagliding.org.au/index.php?p=1_18)
Oh btw: I found your blog on Bill Woates's blog. I really like the way your write. My Mrs said you are a very passionate and honest person.
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