Seeing the Ocean food chain....(paragliding the coast)

Mark · Since 20 Jun 2005 3678 Posts I need my fix because I'm a Naishaholic

At Sunset beach yesterday paragliding. From 3000' got see parts of the food chain in action. There was a big mass of green (anchovies?) pulsing at the surf line. lots of birds working the surface. Whales where right there splashing around chasing them with the seals. Looked for the landlord, but he was not to be found.

Could see all the way from Washington to Astoria to canon beach. Cool to be higher than Saddle mountain. Oh yeah, higher than the tourist planes cruising the beach. Shocked

For those of you on the fence... Come give it a try. With our kiting skills flying a wing is pretty easy.

Nak · Thu Sep 03, 09 8:55 am

Very cool Mark! We need some Go Pro footage!

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2627 Posts The 503 METAL

Yesterday was outstanding! Went out for a stand up paddle...perfect waist to shouder high and ultra glassy.

Porpi, bait fish and seals everywhere...and no landlord!

Sun and southerly winds this morning and still some nice waves hanging around..

Ooooh, Yeeaah! Thumb's Up

I gota try that flying thing!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Wow!

That sounds worth the cost of admission

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

Yeah, lets get some pics....

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

definitely sounds cool!
is there a way to 'tie off' the handles
so you could snap a few pics?
or is that way too dangerous?

Mark · Thu Sep 03, 09 10:25 am

I didn't have my gopro with me. Wish I would have. Not sure a go pro would show much do to the wide angle and being so high.
Once you get good the wind is so steady you could bring out a bigger cam out. I am still focusing on my training so I don't want to deal with a cam.

They do tandem flights, and you could bring a camera...

To answer you question, You could let go of everything and cruise.... so long as the wind is steady. Much like a stopper ball on a kite. You would want to be very ready though...

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Perspective is everything..

Parapontificator · Since 09 Feb 2009 11 Posts North Coast Oregon New Member

Great to have Mark come join us for a day! We are looking forward to the next time. From a pro's perspective, he is doing very well in paragliding. He is also correct in that you guys have a big advantage with your kiting skills. Anyone out there that's a Kiter, and a Kayaker? I am curious to see how fast someone with a combined high level of hand/eye and butt/brain coordination takes to paragliding. All the kayakers we have trained/know of have made great pilots quickly. Same with kiters. Could make for a nice triad! Smile

Anyway, about the whales. Here's a couple of pics I took from a few days before when the whales were literally playing in or just at the surf line. Probably no deeper than 15 feet of water (if that!). Amazing.

If you are sitting on the fence, come on down. September is a great month to get started. Perfect your flying skills over the winter, and be ready for the spring time thermals!

Brad

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

I kite, and I also whitewater kayak. They are my two main hobbies, have been for 5-6 years.

I've given some serious thought to paragliding in the past. Thing is, whenever I kite/paddle, I can always think to myself "worst case scenario, I can swim out of this". I don't kite farther from shore than I can swim, and I don't paddle anything that would likely do real harm to a swimmer wearing a PFD+helmet. (I used to paddle non-swimmable stuff, but the newer boats make class III-IV plenty of fun. But even on hard rivers, you can usually catch an eddy and walk out if you decide your not on your game.)

I don't think paragliding has the same sort of emergency bail-out option as paddling and kiting. You guys are committed the whole time. I would think that's enough to make it a very different sport in terms of how much you can let yourself relax.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

pretty sure when I went in Switz that we had parachute on....

Mark · Thu Sep 03, 09 1:44 pm

I have a reserve parachute under my butt! Shocked

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

let me get this straight...

so you're saying, in order to save your own ass. You have to fire a parachute out your butt?

Shocked

makes me think.... Is it you saving your ass or your ass saving you? Now thats a thinker! Wink

4Stringer/KipWinger · Since 27 Apr 2005 541 Posts Hood River Addicted

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Mark,

Have you gotten your P2 finished up yet? Should be getting close now!

Here is a fun Speed Flying clip from last week here in Lienz, AUS.

http://www.vimeo.com/6432940

See you soon Mark for some fall time flying, and I also want to get out and meet Brad and Maren. Ooooh, the thought of the landlord hanging out in case I really mess up an ACRO run!

Adios, Jon