By James Maddox
We didn't quite have the turnout that we desired for the big party in the sky, which is unfortunate because the show was spectacular. This was the inauguration of what is hoped to be an annual event, and we certainly attained a lot of ideas for next year. The major complaint that I heard was the $5.00 admission fee. Next year we will have to waive that fee and hope that we can make it up by some other means. There were other issues that were handled adequately for the first time out, but can be improved upon next year. I think that the show was worth the effort and worth continuing next year! We were entertained with some great costumes, and what looked like a good assortment of booths to interest anyone. I think that it can only get better, now that we have the first event under our belts. There was a sailplane set up, which I haven't ever seen at the Mesa. You could find all sorts of items to buy, including kites, sculptures, wind chimes, etc. Entertainment for the kids was thought of, by having inflatable animals, as well as an entertainment center for the kids to bounce around in. I personally appreciated the Red Bull booth, Mike tossed me a Red Bull every time that he saw me, and I haven't been able to sleep since. That stuff sure does do the trick, it gave a Lemur wings, but more on that later!
Tom, Glen, Rob, Yves, and Chad were there to give tandem flights for all that wanted, and it looked like they were never without passengers. All totaled, there were 40 Tandem flights. I was supposed to do tandems myself, but was roped into traffic control for most of the day. I at least got to participate in the contest due to being relieved of my traffic duties by Jessica and Daniel. I would be remiss if I didn't point out the selflessness of the traffic crew. Jessica and Daniel didn't even make it in to see the event. Eric Stokke was directing traffic when I got there, and was sill on the job when I left. Mark Hansen got to direct the people to open spots, and yell stop when there were no more spots available. They were steadfast in their volunteer jobs of traffic control, and because of them, we didn't have any traffic accidents. Their job was made even more arduous because any disgruntled customers, and there were a few in every crowd, vented on the traffic crew. I know because in the two hours I directed traffic, I was vented upon, and I only dealt with two hours worth. Those who relieved me were there for 4 hours, because no one cared or knew, to relieve them. I haven't heard if there were any more traffic/parking problems after I left, but one thing is for sure, we need to get more volunteers next year, to alleviate the burden on the few.
Under the huge Red Bull tent stood Debbie Davidson, who is the local news anchorwoman. She was the emcee for the event, and I think she did a great job, considering that there would be several pilots flying, then a stretch where no one would fly. Santa Barbara is blessed with talented Hang Glider pilots that can make the long glide from the mountains, to the training hill. The first stroke of good fortune was the fact that the peak was launchable. It also seems that the pilots reached the hill at the perfect intervals. Just when you looked at the sky for a glider, someone was approaching.
Now it was the Paraglider pilots' turn to put on a show. Ten people came ready to fly in costume, and only one costume could not be flown. Alex Soffici donned the Big Dog costume, and he couldn't see well enough to fly. That was unfortunate because the outfit was excellent. Kinselly Wong showed up as a devil, Mark Hansen was next as an executive chicken, Jacque Cooper turned everyone's head with her Mardi Gras Chic costume. Chad Bastian was a sky snake, Leanne Norris a pixie dragon fly, I boiled in the Louis the Lemur costume, which is the Santa Barbara Zoo mascot. Glenn Chandler wore only a diaper, and cried when he lost his bottle. Bob Osborne has soared with the hawks long enough that he became one, specifically a Red Tailed Hawk. Glen Miller was hysterical in his clown outfit, and sure played it up when he flew. My costume had very poor visibility also, but I got away with flying in it due to the fact that I could not wear my glasses inside the Lemur head, and I am very near sighted. Seeing, therefore, was not an issue for me. I do want to thank Dave Russo, and Brian from LA for helping me get into my harness once I had the costume on, and also, I want to thank Dana for helping me get into the costume, and Leanne for helping me get out of the costume. Also, these people helped me launch, which proved to be quiet challenging, not because of the claws that I was wearing on my feet and hands, but because of the tail. I could only do a reverse launch in the Prisma, and when I had to lean back to pull the canopy over my Lemur head, the tail prevented me from leaning back far enough. I had to have two people, Brian and Dave, help pull on the risers and keep the canopy loaded enough to get turned around and running. After my experience, I can safely say that we will not be seeing very many Lemurs flying Paragliders in the future!
Once I landed, which was only accomplished because once launched, landing is inevitable, I was able to meander through the crowd, saying hi to everyone, and get my picture taken with almost everyone watching. I am sorry to say that I used up my 15 minutes of fame promised me at birth, in ambiguity, draped in a lemur outfit! One by one we put on our disguises, and took to flight. I hope someone videotaped us, especially Glenn, who played for the crowd, tooting his horn. He made an excellent the flying clown. It took several assistants to get Chad into the air, his long tail undulating in the air. His costume was simple, and yet extravagant, being made completely of silk. However simple the idea may have been, after all, it was just a snake, in flight, it was refulgent! For this reason, I suspect, Chad was the winner of the contest. Otherwise, choosing a winner amongst all of the participants would be extremely difficult. The following is the list of winners:
I have been Paragliding since 1992, and met many wonderful people and club members in this time span. Quite a number of these people mentioned that someone should do this, or someone should do that, pertaining to events, and fundraisers. Nothing ever happens with these ideas, the members don't follow through, or hope that someone else picks up the ball and runs. I am including myself in this group, being a person with many ideas of how things should be, or events that should be, but not a person that will head an event. Chad thought of this event, talked about it, and then went out and got the people to do it. I want to thank him for his efforts, and courage to make it happen. It is my opinion that we had a successful inauguration to a new annual event! After all, traditions have to start somewhere!
|
