Cott!

Getting chased by happy dogs.....
Fog inside the camera lens....
Exhibit A - How not to position helmet camera!

I had to cancel my Aerobatic flights this morning as the weather was not suitable.
When I got home I noticed that it was due west at Rottnest. I threw the glider on the car and raced down to Cott. It was a perfect westerly, but blowing 14-22knots. A little gusty but possible in a fun.

I set up the fun and checked the wind again, 15-20knots, worth a fly!

I had a look at Rotto before I took off and it looked like it was easing a little.

What actually happened was that the first 20 minutes were good, a bit lumpy, but fun. Then the wind picked up to the low twenties, now it was interesting flying. Then it swung south and the gusts got close to 30knots. I got blown backwards down the ridge and basically pinned at the Northern end for a while, it was hard work just keeping the wings level. I hung in there, confident that any time I wanted I could pull in the bar and land on the beach. I was hoping it would lull for long enough for me to get to the other end and top land. It dropped slightly and I managed to fight my way to just North of the take-off, then it picked up again and I did a graceful vertical landing on the beach.

I recently acquired a Go-Pro camera so that I can film aerobatic flights, it was the first time out with it hang gliding. I learnt where not to point it when it is attached to my helmet. I also learnt how to make it fog the inside of the lens. Next time will be better.

I was in the air for over 45mins, so I can't complain, and it was mostly good fun.