Hi,
I first began my paragliding journey on a very misty day the last week of January fighting with "Eric", one of Steve Hudson's training gliders at windy knoll. Over the past few months, despite pretty bad weather and thanks to Steve, I managed to get my CP 3 weeks ago. "Mickey" my orange Muse 4 and I are quite brave but lacking skill, experience, judgement so really keen to pick up all and any advice to keep us in one piece and progress. I have put a few posts on facebook and met quite a few of the club members on the hill. Everybody I have met has been really helpful in offering me advice, helping me launch or even picking me up after mis-judging landing, currently a common problem, I am hoping to rectify soon :).
I took early retirement last year so apart from occasional part-time teaching as a scuba diving instructor am available to fly anytime. The only caveat is I live in Aston on Trent (SE of Derby) so it can take 90mins to get to Peak.
I have booked on the second week of the DSC trip to Piedrahita at the end of August, so want to get as much experience as possible before I go, sort out the Pilot exams this winter and fly XC next year - steep learning curve but should be fun.
Joined the club 3 weeks ago and hopefully will be all official according to Mick this week.
Once I get access to the members contact details I will try to approach some of you guys just to check my judgement on conditions before setting out - not looking good this week :(.
If anybody knows any clean air sights for ground handling in or around Derby please let me know.
Cheers,
Chris and "Mickey" (he's the big orange one - not sure who's in charge, think I am the puppet!)
chris.dervin@hotmail.co.uk
079 212 36682
For ground handling I have been using one of the quieter local parks. I was pretty apprehensive about lots of people approaching me when flying my wing but to be honest people have pretty much ignored me so far.
At first I thought that the air was not smooth enough to ground handle but I have found that days even with the same wind direction can be quite different. I have found on the flat, at least in my park, that the air direction can be much more likely to switch on you making ground handling challenging. I also find it hard to predict if it is going to be one of these days until I am at the park but on the odd day it has been just perfect and I have learnt a lot over the course of an hour or two.