HGFA Skysailor Magazine

16 SKY SAILOR May | June 2019 we decorate ourselves with things that make us feel good – crazy leggings, silly gloves, cool socks. None of this is needed to fly well, but it makes us feel good before we even take off. Paragliding is such a head-game and we should shamelessly do what we need to put ourselves in the right head- space before take off. Seeing those around us making such efforts, tells us it’s okay to use a few supporting props. It also reminds everyone that we do this for fun – the moment it stops being fun is the moment we should be doing something else. Women bring another dimension to flying – they want to talk more about the softer side, not just the numbers – how it felt being at two and half thousand metres, what they saw, how scary it was to land when it was windy, they want to share the tale of their hitching experience, and how the entire pub stopped as they walked in with their massive backpack and flower leggings. They talk about how it felt to overcome fear and this energises those around them. This allows those who were also feeling afraid to legitimise their own feelings and empowers them to know they can be dealt with. There is an energy that emerges when someone with a passion for something you have a passion for steps up and achieves. I loved watching Mel start out super nervous and finish the trip with control and confidence. I loved that despite having an incident with a fence, Halina dusted herself off and got back on the line to fly 82km, then dealt with landing in strong wind. Despite my 10 years of paragliding experience, observing more junior pilots showing such grit spurs me on. It re-energises me and encourages me to explore this sport further. The last day of the tow safari finished with everyone flying away from the tow paddock and our rookie, Sharon, pushing out her very first XC of 35km. We finished up with a night in Dubbo and a celebratory dinner. We washed the grime of the tow paddock off and enjoyed feeling clean and civilised again. We all agree that swags are better than motel rooms, but savour being able to use a bathroom again. The next morning we enjoyed breakfast at a gorgeous cafe in Dubbo and re-lived various moments of the last few days. Erica had us crying with laughter as she picks out key audio moments into a beat-box ditty. We said our good- byes and half the group headed to the Wings Out West tow competition with Phil Mansell, the other half of us headed home. The women who attended the 2019 Wings out West competition sent me this photo which left me feeling excessively proud. The competition this year had a female participation rate of 17% (higher than the usual average of just under 10%) and all six of those women had attended an Altitude with Attitude Women’s Fly-in. Altitude with Attitude events for the 2018/19 season were made possible by the financial assistance provided by the HGFA , NSWHPA , VHPA , NSW Office of Sport and VicSports ‘Change Our Game ’ initiative [www.changeourgame.vic.gov.au/ ]. Further details on these events can be found at [www.altitudewithattitude.info/ ]. Women with Grit and Bindis Photos: Jaimi Joy [http://jaimijoy.com] Mel, Susy, Halina, Kyla, Cath and Erica