Get you gear ready this winter for the upcoming spring flying season knowing your reserve chute is packed to deploy properly. Roger Stanford CFI from Skyout Paragliding is conducting a SPHGC Reserve Re-Pack workshop on Sat  15th August at the Cromer Community Centre, 11am-2pm. These workshops are highly regarded as a learning experience. The workshop will focus upon Round and Square reserves only. With a little bit of theory and a lot of practical hands on, participants will be shown how to deploy and repack their reserve. Key points and activities covered will be: the decision making process of when to throw their reserve the technique of how to throw your reserve and handle your wing after the throw actual throwing your reserve (from your own harness while hanging in a simulator) laying out and safety checking your reserve step by step folding and repacking your reserve back into its pouch and back into your harness The idea of the Workshop is to give each participant the skills to be able to carry out this essential maintenance activity on their own. You will be buddied with another participant, taken through the steps above and then assist your buddy in the re-packing process. To book a spot in this workshop you are required to purchase a ticket. The SKY OUT ticket price is $63 - However NSWHPA has generously agreed to fund $30 per pilot for 1 repack bringing the cost to SPHGC members to only $33. SPHGC will make the claim for you automically so you only pay the $33 on booking. Note that if you have two chutes to repack then the full cost will be $93. (1x Funded at $30 + 1 Full $63). If you have any non-member friends that want to come, then let's join them up as a SPHGC Member and the $30 Subsidy from NSWHPA more than covers the membership cost :-)  Any questons or book problems contact SPHGC Treasurer Jason Rothery by Club Telegram DM.

Hello Club Members It is time for another Club Meeting Date: May 12th Location: Harbord Diggers (one of the function rooms to the left as you enter through reception) Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm Online Mtg: TBC, we will update the invite, but most likely yes, we will be able to provide an online link to join Topics Covered: Mini wing and Parakite flying State of Origin Wrap Up CFI Update Other topics TBC No ticket required, just turn up on the day Regards The Club Committee

Corryong Paragliding are hosting the Australian Sports Class Championships 2026. Corryong is located just a few thermal glides from Mt Kosciuszko the highest mountain in Australia where historically the very first Australian Paragliding Nationals were hosted not far from here in Thredbo 1990. Back then the first competition task was flown from the top of Mt Kosciuszko at 2200 metres. From on top of Mt Elliot you can see the Western face of the Main Range and in the early Spring and late Autumn its peaks are often still covered in snow. This Sports class event will be a SAFA sanction level AA / CAT2 competition with 360 ladder Points available. Its aimed at pilots who are new to xc racing through to experienced inland intermediate and advanced rated pilots. For Pilots new to competition, there will be a focus on mentoring by experienced pilots to help make the event a highly positive experience. The winner of this event will be crowned the Australian sports class champion. For details go to: https://airtribune.com/australian-sports-class-championships-2026/info/details

The National Paragliding Championships return to Bright in January 2026. This is the first round of the championships where up to 100 Australian and international pilots will compete in cross country races over the mountains and majestic landscapes of the Ovens and Keiwa Valleys. For details go to: https://airtribune.com/bright-open-2026/info

*Note, you must be logged into your Fly Sydney account to book your tickets.   Catch up with your fellow pilots and club members for a relaxed afternoon of good food, great company and a couple of drinks in the sunshine! 🪂 AGM kicks off at 12 noon, followed by the BBQ. 🎟️ Lucky Door Prizes! Two tickets per person if you RSVP, or one ticket each if you don’t — so make sure to RSVP for double the chances!  🍔 The club will provide: Food, soft drinks, water, and a welcome drink (beer, cocktail or wine). 🍻 Please BYO alcoholic beverages and don’t forget to bring a chair or picnic rug. *Note you must be logged into to your account on the website to get your tickets.

Here we are right on the cusp of the season kicking off for paragliding and hang gliding again. A good time to think about getting back in the air. Safely, cautiously and gradually. We all experience skill fade in the off season, unless you have been flying around Europe of course. However, on top of that there are several considerations that we should take into account to ensure we are setting the conditions for a safe and successful flight.  Roger Stanford our CFI will talk about these considerations for getting back in the air; and Garry Taylor our Club President will talk about his recent accident and the contributing factors that led up to it. Some important and instructive lessons around circumstances, environment and psychology that we can all consider and take on board regardless of experience. Meeting will start from 7pm at the Harbord Diggers on Wednesday 29th October in the Curl Curl Room (Last room down the hallway to the left after entry). Zoom Details will be provided for those wishing to attend online.

Our Club SSO Gareth Carter will be running a safety officer and duty pilot workshop this Sunday, the 26th of October, from 1000-1130.   This training is open to all PG4 and 5 pilots who routinely supervise PG2/3 pilots and want to upskill to Duty Pilot and Safety Officer.   The training will commence at Longy Reef NE, and then move to Long Reef SE (and potentially Cooks if time allows).   The club appreciates all your help with supervision, and would like to save your valuable time by sharing the load across our senior pilots. Items covered: Roles and responsibilities of a Duty Pilot/SO Site briefs and tailoring the brief to the pilot (new/visiting pilot) Dealing with an incident/accident Dealing with a problem pilot Dealing with members of the public and ensuring safety for all parties To register for this training, click the free ticket link below. For more info email Gareth Carter redfrogs.0.0.0@gmail.com or Roger@skyoutparagliding.com

This October the CANUNGRA HANG GLIDING CLUB is hosting the Canungra Sports Cup, a week of XC task racing in the peak Canungra spring season, which is a great season opener for pilots from southern states. Limited to 70 pilots and limited to sports class en-C gliders and below to create a level playing field for all pilots. AA and cat 2 FAI points and race tasks through the scenic rim area of SE QLD and northern NSW. For details: https://airtribune.com/canungra-cup-2025/info/details__info

Paragliding State of Origin: - Easter, 18 to 20 April 2025 Are you a PG2, PG3 or PG4 pilot with a VHF endorsement and more than 10 hours inland flying and want to gain experience? Come and fly cross country with us in Manilla at “State of Origin” this Easter. It is a group based event where experienced “pilot mentors” in our club lead a crew of 4 other pilots.  You fly together and score together with a handicap system that rewards low air time pilots with distance multipliers. At the same time you score for your State of Origin (ie where you lived when you gained your PG2).  You can be a NSW Cockroach, a QLD Cane Toad or a World Barbarian Bug.  To score, you upload your IGC file to XContest. To Register click here. Paragliding State of Origin 2025 Registration (Registration opens 9am Monday 10th March) Full details here in our Pilot Manual.    Pilot Competition Manual Any questions email us at     paraglidingstateoforigin@gmail.com   Manilla Skysailors Club (MSS) require all pilots to purchase temporary membership before they fly Mt Borah.               MSS membership link   Fly Manilla require all pilots to fly a glider commensurate with their inland flying hours.               Fly Manilla glider class / pilot hours requirements

Event: This Sports class event is a SAFA sanction level AA / CAT2 competition with 360 ladder Points available. Its aimed at pilots who are new to xc racing through to experienced inland intermediate and advanced rated pilots. For Pilots new to competition, there will be a focus on mentoring by experienced pilots to help make the event a highly positive experience. Location: Mt Elliot and Corryong is located just a few thermal glides from Mt Kosciuszko the highest mountain in Australia where historically the very first Australian Paragliding Nationals were hosted not far from here in Thredbo 1990. Back then the first competition task was flown from the top of Mt Kosciuszko at 2200 metres. From on top of Mt Elliot you can see the Western face of the Main Range and in the early Spring and late Autumn its peaks are often still covered in snow. The winner of the Corryong Sports class championships will be crowned the Australian sports class champion. For more details click here Corryong Sports Class Championships 2025

In person only club meeting at 7 pm at Harbord Diggers with Jocky Sanderson on Wedneday 5 February. New members actively encouraged to attend. About Jocky - Teaching paragliding & SIV for more than 20 years, Jocky Sanderson is one of the world's most celebrated instructors on Paraglider Safety and Cross Country Flying. Jocky competed internationally ranking 3rd in the world. Regarded as the SIV Guru, he has been teaching paragliding he is also the senior assessor and member of the Flight Safety Committee of the BHPA. https://www.jockysanderson.com/

Catch up with your fellow club members over a good feed and a couple of drinks! The club will be providing food, soft drink, water and a welcome drink (beer/cocktail/wine). BYO Alc Beverages and a chair / picnic rug FOR MORE INFO & IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE A SALAD OR SIDE, MESSAGE SHARON BRIEN 0402 791 421