May, 2004

Regional News: Okanagan Soaring Assoc.
By Jane Hunt, OSA Vice President, Secretary, Webmaster

The Okanagan Soaring Association is off to a great start this year with many of the paragliding members getting some great flights early in the year.

The club hosted a chute pack this year for the first time in 3yrs with Paraglide Canada helping out and we were glad to see 17 pilots show up. A few broken rubber bands were discovered, so it was well worth the effort.

We have had new t-shirts printed available to members for $15.00 and non-members $18.00

We are also happy that we are finally being recognized as contributing to the nationals which has been held for many years in Lumby but as far back as I can remember there have always been days flown at Vernon Hill or Bolean or Mara. Many members have contributed time or knowledge to support the visiting pilots so it is really nice to finally be recognized for our support, thanks Mark.

We have again met with the ranch and things look good for another year of flying as long as we respect the owners, e.g. don’t land in fields with cattle or crops don’t leave garbage behind and have up to date HPAC insurance. Commercial pilots will still have to pay. The landing field is the same as normal on the south side of highway 97 even though the fence has been moved there are still steps there to get your gear in and out, thanks to Paraglide Canada and Coldstream Ranch.

Members have been busy with opening and cleaning up sites, an old site has been re-opened at Stoney Creek which looks great the tree that was blocking Vernon Mountain road is now on our wood pile.....

I have heard there is a new site opening at Canoe by the Salmon Arm guys and Fred Wilson or Mike Victor or David Hayes would be the people to find out more about that.

We will as usual be holding the Remembrance day fly-in this year in November and this year will have a trophy available for paragliding paricipants Doug Nitchie is responsible for that.

Jane Hunt
http://osa.junction.net