Hello All-

It has been a couple of weeks since I last updated the news coming out of Paradise Hang Gliding. We certainly have been busy, although not necessarily with flying activities.

It is no secret that the weather in south FL has been quite windy for the last week or so. We regularly monitor the sea conditions via several weather reporting buoys and the flight conditions via several internet-based aviation weather reporting & forecasting sites. To put it bluntly, last week just plain blew (I mean the wind).

We had a great boatload of intrepid adventurers from Colorado, Texas, and Oklahoma, who were staying at the Naples Bay Resort, Scheduled for March 23. (thanks Marilyn…!)  Unfortunately, on that day, the winds at Big Carlos Pass, as reported by the data buoy there, were steady at 15 mph, gusting to 25-31 mph. The forecast was for the winds to diminish late in the afternoon, so we went ahead with meeting our group and going out to sea.

Actually, the wind was not bad at all for flying a tandem hang glider, but the sea conditions were pushing the marginal side. An unexpected onset of steady 2′ swells from the south, coupled with the obvious chop from the strong easterlies, prompted a heart-to heart between myself and Capt. Travis. The seas were lumpy, to say the least, with no particular pattern to the waves as one may normally expect. We decided to pull the plug on the flying activities.

The unexpected bonus was that, as we were heading back in, Capt. Travis spotted a couple of dolphins ahead, in the perfect position to lure into our wake for some dolphin stunts and photos. Slowing the boat and putting the trim position in the full up position, to make a great big wake worked perfectly, within moments the big mammals were cavorting in our wake, jumping high out of the water and the splashing into the water on their sides, obviously playing. They stayed with us for at least a mile, and about 10 minutes worth. The girls from Colorado, one of whom was a Birthday Girl, were taking plenty of pictures. For Sarah M., that had to be the most awesome birthday surprise gift ever.One their photos now appears on our “About” page, please check it out.

In the meantime, I have had the boat out of the water for some work, and had some great looking lettering put on the sides. We have been missing out on plenty of business from other boaters who watch us go by, mouths agape, wondering if we are for hire, not sure if their eyes are lying. I hope that now it will be very obvious.

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The weekend brought some fabulous flying conditions and Happy Times to south Florida and Paradise Hang Gliding, Inc.

On Saturday, we headed way down south to test the waters around Marco Island, and were certainly not disappointed. We met a group of locals, who also came by boat, on Keewaydin Island. Members of the Coraci, Crist, and Schmidt family piled aboard for 2 different boat loads, and we proceeded to show them all a good time.

At first, it seemed a little on the breezy side, but was actually perfect. The wind made for some very nice tows, and all were treated to postcard views of Marco Island and Keewaydin. The air was perfectly smooth, and the flights were very enjoyable, high tows, most to about 1800′+. Lots of pictures were taken, and the passengers were all awestruck at the ease, simplicity, and comfort of our flight operation. Even the very nervous are over their jitters within about the first 100 feet above the water.

A couple of our guests, both young males, were overheard later telling frinds and family that it was, by far, the most fun thing they have ever done, bar none. I was truly honored to hear those words, it’s nice to be able to share what we do and truly enrich the lives of such nice people.

Then on Monday, an equally rewarding experience with Karen and her parents. We saw an incredible array of marine life, both from the boat and from the glider. Dozens of dolphins, several large rays, and two absolutely gi-normous sea turtles. When you can see a sea turtle from 2,000′ above, and tell that it is almost as long as the boat is wide, it is obviously a very large specimen. The water clarity was unusual for the Gulf, it seemed more like the Keys or the east coast of FL. It was very easy to see the bottom composition as well as the sandy shoals around the pass, truly spectacular scenery.

Even though the tows on this day took us away from shore, the wind was a perfect tailwind for flying the glider back to the beach, and landing directly offshore. We treated the beach goers to a nice show as we came in, making a few passes up and down she shoreline in the light lift band which is always present on a breezy day. I made sure our shadow passed directly over them to get their attention, and quite a few responded to our waves from above by waving back.

Loading the glider back on the boat is just about a no-brainer. With Capt. Travis’ excellent boat handling skills (he is after all, a 100 Ton Master with Towing Endorsement), he plants our lift platform under the glider before we can even get the haul-in rope attached. Mary Ann always does a great job of running the winch and doing the rewinds. She has a great eye for the position of the glider relative to the boat while being towed, and adjusts the towline tension just right. I cannot speak highly enough of our crew; their experience, training, and sharp minds are obvious to all who come aboard.

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