West Coast Soaring Club
PO Box 14013 Delamont PO V6J 0B9 Vancouver, BC, Canada

Photo by Kevin Ault.

As we go 'on-glide' into 2021, the WCSC wishes you and your family the very best over the holidays. Next season is looking exciting already and will include fun comps, work parties, and virtual events to strengthen and bring our free flight community together. Thank you to all members who attended our recent AGM and helped shape the future of our club! Sincerely, ... The WCSC Board and Volunteers

Think winter = grounded? Think again! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e05FM3Fufo&feature=youtu.be

A little December flying inspiration! Good to see pilots making use of that beautiful low sun this past weekend at Elk. Photos/Video by Kevin Ault.

Hi Everyone! Just a reminder that to participate in our online (Zoom) AGM on December 17, you will need to RSVP to receive the link. If you've already RSVP'd, but did NOT receive a confirmation, please RSVP again to be on the safe side. We had a short-lived glitch that may have affected a couple people last week.... Get all the meeting details and RSVP now using this link: https://www.westcoastsoaringclub.com/2020-agm/#rsvp

Want to fly more? Knowing what weather is best for flying and developing very basic forecasting skills will significantly increase your airtime and enjoyment. Winter downtime provides an excellent opportunity to develop these skills. Check out this great Cross Country Magazine article and free weather courses here: ... https://xcmag.com//lockdown-learning-backyard-meteorology/

That's right... it's that time of year again! This year, for obvious reasons, we've decided to hold our 2020 AGM online via Zoom. There's lots to talk about, so join us! For details, follow the link below. https://www.westcoastsoaringclub.com/2020-agm/

Looks like our local heroes Kevin Ault and Brad Henry put up a pretty amazing Hike and Fly last week! Check out this video from Kevin's youtube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIGs65kPOsk

Fall 2020 WCSC update - https://mailchi.mp//wcsc-last-friday-talk-with-gavin-mcclu

One of our own, Ryan Maheux was injured in a speed flying incident. If you would like to contribute to his recovery fund, please visit this link! https://www.gofundme.com/f/fundraiser-for-ryan-maheux

The milk run (beer run) xc route in Pemberton is no longer under a flight restriction from the wildfires! There are still restrictions in the area, so be sure to check before takeoff! HUGE thanks to Guy @seatoskyparagliding for coordinating and getting this done.

Transport Canada rules prohibit flying within 5 miles of a wildfire. This last week has seen a LOT of new fires in our area. Make sure to check the BC wildfire dashboard before heading for launch... https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com//opsdas/index.html

Ok... so it's not quite the west coast, but it's still BC! Here's an awesome video from Pandit Vivek of a bunch of folks earning their wings in Savona, BC! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW53q3eHFNE

Thanks to Tom Gregg for this beautiful shot of Mt. Woodside. The conditions look great. Get out and go flying!

Posting on behalf of Marc Tarrant: Hey Folks...Marky Mark here. Frank asked me to post the 44th Annual Splashdown in Invermere, BC. Flying off Mt. Swansea to James Chabot Beach for target landing on the beach Penny Powers says, "The 44th annual Lakeside event is on!!"... Come join us for this fun-filled day of flying in Invermere, BC. Flying off Mt. Swansea to James Chabot Beach for target landing on the beach! August 8th, 2020 Please email us at [email protected] to register. Include your name, your HPAC number, and are you a paraglider or hang glider pilot Must have current HPAC Insurance and a H2/P2 rating to participate. Don't miss out, we are CAPPING AT 44 PILOTS $50 Registration fee prior to August 6th $70 registration fee for registrations Aug 6, 7 and 8th Registration venue on Friday evening, to be determined. Registration includes: Pancake breakfast Saturday at 7:30am Pilots meeting at 8:30am Rides up the mountain Saturday evening BBQ at Frank's house $20/person $10/child 11 years and under BYOB or drink for $20 - Arrowhead beer Bring your own lawn chairs if you want Camping for RV's at the Lakeside pub, tenting at Frank's garden. Please everyone respect social distancing See you soon! Happy landings! Max says it will be Sunny and Hot."

WCSC has secured a new access agreement to Port Alberni Launch! Pilots can now drive to launch! Thank you to the BCHPA, ISS and Brian B. for your collaboration and funding to make this project happen.

Hi all, Ever wanted to fly Dallas road in Victoria? Surf a lift band in front of apartment buildings, or interested in ridge soaring in general? Rick Heatley is an experienced island pilot who will be generously sharing his thoughts and observations over his years of flying Dallas Rd. https://www.islandsoaring.org/dallas-road. He's the first to acknowledge this is solely his experience there and is in no way an official guide. To quote "we're all students forever". The ho...pe with this is to share the knowledge and opinions of such a fickle site, but one that is also so rewarding when it's 'on'. For those interested, our sister club the Island Soaring Society will host a virtual presentation on Sunday at 8:00 pm for Rick to go through his notes and any interested can ask questions! WCSC and ISS will also be announcing a reciprocal membership agreement soon, opening up additional sites to both club's members without visiting pilot fees and hassle. Meeting: Virtual Dallas Road Info Session Sun, Jul 12, 2020 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/734359261 You can also dial in using your phone: +1 (647) 497-9391 Meeting ID 734359261 - One-touch: tel:+16474979391,,734359261# Q&A on the ISS forum where you can post anything you like and people can discuss it. https://www.islandsoaring.org/forum/dallas-road

Hi all, Ever wanted to fly Dallas road in Victoria? Surf a lift band in front of apartment buildings, or interested in ridge soaring in general? Rick Heatley is an experienced island pilot who will be generously sharing his thoughts and observations over his years of flying Dallas Rd. https://www.islandsoaring.org/dallas-road. He's the first to acknowledge this is solely his experience there and is in no way an official guide. To quote "we're all students forever". The ho...pe with this is to share the knowledge and opinions of such a fickle site, but one that is also so rewarding when it's 'on'. For those interested, our sister club the Island Soaring Society will host a virtual presentation on Sunday at 8:00 pm for Rick to go through his notes and any interested can ask questions! WCSC and ISS will also be announcing a reciprocal membership agreement soon, opening up additional sites to both club's members without visiting pilot fees and hassle. Meeting: Virtual Dallas Road Info Session Sun, Jul 12, 2020 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/734359261 You can also dial in using your phone: +1 (647) 497-9391 Meeting ID 734359261 - One-touch: tel:+16474979391,,734359261# Q&A on the ISS forum where you can post anything you like and people can discuss it. https://www.islandsoaring.org/forum/dallas-road

We were super stoked to host Gavin McClurg for a 'virtual last friday' talk. Here's a recording if you didn't get a chance to join in! https://youtu.be/0fxnjdqOFE8

https://mailchi.mp/45490d06cace/covid-19-notice

Fraser Valley Air Traffic Advisory: Conair is an aerial firefighting operator and has reached out to advise local free-flight pilots of their annual flight training operations starting now (early March). The club has been in close coordination with Conair and they are aware of the free-flying that goes on in the Fraser Valley. However, they are operating large, fast firefighting aircraft in close proximity to the ground and our CYA until late April and all pilots should prac...tice extra vigilance during this time. Please see slides attached to the forum post (below), which are generally between Abbotsford Airport and Stave and Harrison Lakes. Fly safe everyone! https://www.westcoastsoaringclub.com/forumnew/viewtopic.php

Covid-19 and Recreational Aviation The WCSC is encouraging pilots to heed advice from HPAC, our national association during these challenging times. As pilots, we're all familiar with balancing risk and reward. If you choose to fly during the Covid-19 outbreak, please be aware that healthcare, emergency response, and nearly all essential services will be extremely limited and potentially unavailable in the event of an emergency. Additionally, many of our permits for use of ...municipal parks (Diefenbaker Park in Delta, Burnaby Mountain etc..) are temporally suspended in light of the virus. We request that no pilots use these area for kiting or ground-handling until advised otherwise, and certainly not before April 30th, 2020. Here are some resources shared by WCSC members to aid in informed decision making: https://www.squamishchief.com//covid-19-outdoor-groups-ask https://xcmag.com//paragliding-and-hang-gliding-hit-by-co/ https://xcmag.com/ma/how-to-survive-the-coronavirus-layoff/ Be safe, fly safe, James Elliott President WCSC ________________________________________________________ Message from The Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada: March 19, 2020 Fellow Pilots: We find ourselves in a dynamic situation that is evolving daily. While the pandemic is not expected to have a significant direct impact on association operations, it will undoubtedly affect individual members, instructors, schools and tandem operations in many ways. Aside from the obvious recommendation to follow local guidelines about travel and avoiding groups of people, I feel it is important to ensure members consider some less obvious effects of the pandemic when making decisions about flying. Landowners may not be happy to have visitors under these circumstances, please check with the site organizer or landowner before heading out. Your fellow pilots may wish you to keep your distance, please respect their space. First responders and emergency services are likely to be increasingly overloaded. If you have a bad ending to your flight, you may wait a very long time for rescue if they are able to respond at all. If you need emergency care you will be using resources that someone else may need more than you. With respect, I ask you to weigh the relative importance of your desire to fly against the needs of your community to limit the spread of the virus. It is your decision where and how you fly. Please make your decision wisely. Best Regards, Nick Jones President, HPAC/ACVL Members

Tomorrow Night Burnaby Repack - https://mailchi.mp/a1b667e54919/burnaby-repack-2608041

Burnaby Repack - https://mailchi.mp/a3c18714ebe5/burnaby-repack

Want to fly with friends? Improve your team flying skills? The WCSC hosts a presentation on TEAM FLYING by Mike and Kim Mattinson at Baron’s Manner Pub in Surrey @ 7pm on Friday, February 28, 2020. Learn How to Fly Farther, Higher, Longer and Safer Together!! Anyone interested in paragliding is welcome.

WCSC members have an opportunity to help shape the future of our flying activities in the Fraser Valley through a regional outdoor recreation survey. Please take a few minutes to choose "WCSC" as your local club represent with the link below! If you can attend an open house, even better :) Cheers, James Hello Recreation Clubs/Associations,... As you are aware, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) is in the process of developing on an Outdoor Recreation Management Plan (ORMP) to help guide the growth and expansion of outdoor recreation for the region. As part of this process, public input is being collected through an online survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FVRDRecSurvey In addition to the survey, four open houses have been scheduled and will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the following dates: Hope - Thursday, January 23 at the Hope & Area Recreation Centre (1005 6th Avenue) Chilliwack - Monday, January 27 at the Fraser Valley Regional District (45950 Cheam Avenue) Abbotsford - Wednesday, January 29 at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre (2499 McMillan Road) Mission - Thursday, January 30 at the Mission Leisure Centre (7650 Grand Street) These open houses will be an opportunity to speak directly with Cascade Environmental Resource Group, who is drafting the ORMP. Anyone with specific concerns or feedback about outdoor recreation in the region is encouraged to attend an open house. Please see the attached poster, and feel free to share it with all your relevant contacts. Hope to see you at one of the open houses, Outdoor Recreation Planning Department

Tonight at 6PM - https://mailchi.mp/b6d158ba4f09/annual-agm-nov-26th-2517421

WCSC Hats are (finally) available to order! We'll be producing a limited batch, orders must be received before Nov 17th. Despite trying to keep costs as low as possible, they're sold "at cost" for $29 but this includes tax and shipping within the lower mainland/BC. They're embroidered and high quality for years of wearing and harness 'stuffin! Three styles in red, blue or black are available. As these are "flexfit" hats, please specify size S/M or L/XL when ordering. the h...at you receive is determined by the drop down text box information. Patience is appreciated, shipping will be about 3 weeks after the order window closes on Nov 17th. https://www.westcoastsoaringclub.com/members/hats.php

Want to sport some WCSC swag? West Coast Soaring Club hats are coming soon! Vote on your favorite below and comment if you'd like one (more options below).. The most popular styles will be produced. $23-25 each. Multiple colours available. *not guaranteed to improve thermalling ability.

WCSC Mentorship Program Update! We are still actively encouraging pilots to get involved in our "unofficial" mentorship program! If you're a pilot seeking to build your skillset and flying theory/safety, or an experienced pilot looking to share your expertise and contribute to building an engaged, vibrant paragliding community, let me know! We've had an outstanding response thus far, but a few more mentors will help balance out this initiative. If you're on the fence, don't... be shy. There's no commitment or obligation and location doesn't matter! Island, Sea to Sky, Okanagan and Kootenay areas are welcome! More details are available here: https://www.westcoastsoaringclub.com/forumnew/viewtopic.php ps: please share :)

By popular demand, video of the recent "XC Paragliding Secrets" talk by Alex Raymont at the WCSC Monthly Social Dinner June 14th. Thanks again to Alex for sharing his time and expertise, and everyone else who made it out! Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DsChdpl1Gc&t=31s Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVJ0_TqFEgE&t=252s Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shahzpj26qQ... Part 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93qYkFrrmGs Part 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5nwRGZfs6g Part 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMe6BqCSl5o Part 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VIOzUruYgs Part 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clInd10BiEk&t=51s See more

Join us for the Grouse Mt. Fly-In More info here: https://mailchi.mp/47ebcfcff488/grouse-mt-fly-in

Join us for the Revelstoke Wild West Fly-In follow the link for more info https://mailchi.mp/68e7875ffd25/revelstoke-fly-in

Call for photographers!

Photo Credit: Claudia Schwab Just another day in Pemberton, BC.

This Friday - Repack Clinic - https://mailchi.mp/b9127c/how-to-become-an-xc-pilot-1478105

Fraser Valley Repack Clinic - https://mailchi.mp/2ce773/how-to-become-an-xc-pilot-1475805

Red Cross Certified - https://mailchi.mp/edc6/wilderness-first-aid-course-1471637

Spring Repack Clinics - https://mailchi.mp/1ac211/how-to-become-an-xc-pilot-1450453

Spring Repack Clinics - https://mailchi.mp/6007bb/how-to-become-an-xc-pilot-1450437

Wilderness First Aid Course - https://mailchi.mp/ca7a/wilderness-first-aid-course-1439953

Wilderness First Aid Course - https://mailchi.mp/542330dcfc63/wilderness-first-aid-course

No more guest fees... - https://mailchi.mp/c76deea09cb9/no-more-guest-fees-1436381

No more guest fees... - https://mailchi.mp/b2eaba1a16f9/no-more-guest-fees

We are confirmed!! See you July 20-27th in Pemberton!

DATE CHANGE for Mt. Baldy Fly-In - https://mailchi.mp/0e60000b2f2e/mt-baldy-1430413

DATE CHANGE for Mt. Baldy Fly-In - https://mailchi.mp/ace7935af8f7/mt-baldy-2019

https://mailchi.mp//important-information-regarding-mt-bal

Register for Mt. Baldy Fly-In - https://mailchi.mp//important-information-regarding-mt-bal

Important Information Regarding Mt. Baldy - https://mailchi.mp//important-information-regarding-mt-bal

The photo with the most votes. You can't beat a cute dog next to a paragliding bag. #LANZAtheParaPup #HappyNewYears #HappyHolidays #2018 #2019

Post your top Paragliding, Hang Gliding or Speed Flying photo from 2018 here and be featured for January 2019. Here's a few to get us started!

Last Friday's Event Tomorrow! -

REMINDER: Tonight WCSC AGM Nov 26th -

Website Launch (Mt. Baldy Ski Resort) - https://mailchi.mp//new-paraglider-ski-launch-mt-baldy-ski