Keith On The Road Again

US Paragliding Nationals

2009-04-24T17:27:00.000-06:00

Well if your reading this you may care where I am. I have just arrived in sunny California to attend another paragliding comp. For those interested the results should be at this address
http://www.santacruzparagliding.com/natshome.html

The results are in the column on the right.
I will try to update but as you know I get lazy.
All for now
K

[Spam?] Reserve Clinic

2009-02-23T20:13:00.000-07:00

MULLER WINDSPORTS

RESERVE CLINIC 2009

DATE:               Saturday, March 7, 2009

Repack Fee: $40.00 Deployment, inspection and repack.  The lecture is free.

PLACE:               Ecole Ste-Marguetite Bougeoys,

4700 Richard Rd SW

(note: the school is next door to Bishop Carol High School & near the Farmers Market)

TIME:     9AM

Format: Deployments will start at 9am for pilots who have attended previous clinics.

Lecture will start at 10am.  It is recommended that pilots who have not attended a clinic should attend the lecture.

After the lecture, deployments will continue.  Repacks will start during the lecture.  If work needs to be done on your equipment it will be done at the shop during the week.

If you are a new pilot and don't yet have a reserve we will try to make sure you get a practice deployment.  There is no charge if you have no equipment.

1:30pm- Pizza – included in repack fee or $10 if you didn't pay for repack.

AHPA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING   2:00

Can you please let us know if you will be staying for pizza so that we can order enough

Email fly@mullerwindsports.com

Day 10 and BIG

2009-02-05T21:10:00.000-07:00

Big Task. 117km with goal at the Monarca Butterflies. We criss crossed everywhere and anywhere. It was great day to be in the lead gaggle as it was going to be tough. We tagged the start and got climbs every time we needed them. It was going well as I stuck with the lead gaggle most of the day. I was charging hard as I was totally psyched to be flying today on a totally blue day with no clouds for people to cheat. The day got extra exciting at the end as I waited at base to go out to the flats so I would not be alone. Farmer came along just in time to charge out with me. About 2km's short of goal I took a climb with the others so I would get in for sure as it was to late to get stupid after suck a long day. This cost me a minute or so behind Farmer as he and Micky won the day. I was most likely top 10 for the day...Sweet. Tomorrow is the final day so party party. I did not see my teammates in goal. The goal was at 9000 feet so it was very tough to get in as we had to thermal half a km from the line just to get in as base was not much higher.
Cheers
K

This place is Insane

2009-02-04T21:11:00.001-07:00

Today another 106km task. We are all so tired that everyone walks around like zombies. The task had an interesting start radius allowing for several different angles to take it. I choose the one halfway between good and bad. I got to the first turnpoint not as low as one group but lower than another group. After a very sweet climb we were all back together. I raced across no man's land to the next point with a fast group managing to catch most everyone in front of us. At this point we got stinking and high and very cold...4000m which you need to remember its still winter here. Arcteryx has me well equipped but I was still chilly. After some quick pushes into the course we hooked the convergence line and made good time across the lake to a point on the other side. I fell back a little here as i tried to be safe but it actually cost me as the group got a great climb from low and we coming in it was not there. So much for staying high as it sometimes backfires. I worked my way back up but a little behind the first gaggle. At this point I noticed Urban Valic over my head going the other way. he had decided to run around the lake the short way and was now in front by about 30mins. He of course won the day by a huge margin and I am 30mins behind him for the task. I was maybe TOP 30 or so today so not bad on a very tough and challenging task. I did not see my teammates today so not sure how they did. Tomorrow they want a huge task then easy on friday to finish. I will need a break from flying soon as I think I have 50 hours on the new gliders already....CRAZY.
Going to bed
Keith

Sorry for no posts lately

2009-02-03T18:01:00.001-07:00

Well I guess to catch you up on what's happening down here. We had a terrible accident where a Swiss pilot died and I was unfortunately one of the witness's. I wont talk about it as it has been written about already all over the internet. I will just say it was a horrible sight. We had a Rest day last Saturday and Sunday turned into a memorial flight to pay respects to the fallen pilot. We all flew with flowers and tossed them out over the lake....very touching. Yesterday we had a long day with a 97km task. I finished not late but not early. I think I was Top 40. This morning I was sitting in 47th Overall so not bad but not great. Today we had a 114km task all over the bloody place finishing at the lake. I was charging hard for the first half but made a bad choice for a glide line and got lower than the gaggle. So survival mode it had to be. I got out after a delay and just happy to still be in the air as the trees were very close when I was low....grin. Back on course I was with the 3rd pack trying to catch up to the front packs and actually doing it. I tagged the final turnpoint at 3500m so very high. I had the rest of the course on a 6 to 1 glide. Off I went and made the end of the speed section with room to spare. I still had 5 km to glide to the lake to actually make goal. I still had it at 6.5 to 1 and its always a very lifty glide. UNTIL TODAY. I got absolutely drilled. I have never fallen so quickly. I looked at my instruments to make sure I was still going forward it was so bad. Lucky for me there was a golf course that we are not suppose to land in and that was where I made it too. I landed 1.7km short of the goal field but actually only about 50 feet in height as if it were not for the trees I would have made it as I was up on a plateau. Well some times you have good luck and sometimes bad so I guess i will chalk this one to very bad luck.
Hope all is well back home and see most of you soon. We have 3 tasks left and then its party time and then come home to get some work done and yes I am actually excited about that.
Cheers to you all
Keith (Not frustrated at all)

Day 5

2009-01-29T21:16:00.001-07:00

Huge task today. They called 114km all over the place. I had a great start then led with a couple other guys to the first turnpoint and on to the second I was still with the lead group. We took a line of course line thinking it would be better to get to the hills quicker then work them. BAD IDEA. The group behind cut the corner and met us at the second turnpoint. From here the cloud flying was little out of hand and we continued on getting very low. The task then took us out into the wild blue yonder of the flats. We first had to tag the penon. We had a great glide out into the far off hills across the flats. Once out there we got thermals that were blown apart in the wind. Some drifted more than they went up...grin. I got out of there and back into launch. thinking the front of the penon would work better we went for it. No luck for me here as I got drilled in the strong winds. The group with me only made it a bit further. I landed at the base of the Penon for almost 100km of the 114km. So not a horrible day but it was not Goal. Tomorrow is the last day before REST. We all need it as it was another 4.5 hrs of flying today and more for others.
Cheers
K

Even More Tired

2009-01-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to be more tired...
Well today we had a 84km task all over the place including the Monarca Butterflies. It was another cluster in the start gaggle but once the start happened the fast gliders got out in front and we then had space. I was with the lead group going into the first turnpoint but lower. I decided to make the wise decision to take a climb as there was no point in being stupid so early. The climb allowed me to catch the lead group again as they got low. I headed across the mesa and well on speed bar took a nice blowout and my wingtip stuck in so I lost some height fishing it out. I was now low and behind again. At this point the group behind me got me and I lead them into the flats where we took the convergence out to the butterflies. After getting stuck for a few minutes with the lead gaggle in sight it was just not to be and I resorted to being second group for the day. So all and all another good day but not sure how I did. maybe 15-20 mins behind the leaders. I did not see anyone from Team Canada in goal when I left so can not report on them at all. Hope they made it.
Cheers
K

Tired......

2009-01-27T21:12:00.001-07:00

Well today we had yet another long task with it being 95km or so. I managed to get myself nice and low after the 2nd turnpoint but eventually worked my way free. I then had some great climbs which put me back into the lead gaggle for awhile at least. At the final turnpoint I made my last mistake by not hanging on to the climb the leaders were in and fell off the bottom. I searched for what seemed like ever on a horrible little lee side spine. I finally got what I was looking for and went across the mesa low. At the end of the mesa near launch I found what had to be the worst and best climb of my life. Worst cause it was so rough I had only half a glider for most of it and best cause it allowed me to go on final glide for the remaining 12km's to goal. The glide was in the convergence so I maintained 80% speed bar the whole time and came in with 100m to spare altitude. A Japanese guy in goal asked me where the fire was and with some hand gestures I explained that we are racing here....grin. Brett and Jim both made it in and not sure about Nicole yet. Not sure how well I did as there were many in front of me today but of course just happy to be in Goal again. Yesterdays results will be recalculated as about 10 pilots got scored for making goal but did not cross the line because of landing short. Tomorrow is another day. I hope for a better result as I feel my glider is going very well and I am getting very comfy with it.
Cheers
K

Day Two

2009-01-26T18:52:00.001-07:00

Big Task today. They called a 92km task all over the place. I was with the lead group for the first half but left a climb to look for a better one that was the same but the climb I left ended up getting much better. This left me low with a group of pilots who did the same. I was able to get going again but took a 15min delay doing so. I then got to the final turnpoint and got drilled in sink to almost landing which took another 10mins to recover from. The group then proceeded to go quicker making smart decisions. We took one last climb which allowed us to go on final from about 8km out with a 9 to 1 glide ratio so I did not come in very high but in. I think I may be top 40 but we will see. Thanks for the emails from back home. Time for dinner as its 8pm.
Cheers
K

First Day

2009-01-25T18:14:00.001-07:00

Great day today. I was able to fly safely with the gaggle for the first half then managed to connect into the convergence. This allowed me to take the lead for the day which I maintained until the final turnpoint where I managed to make my big mistake for the day. I still got in the TOP 10. I believe I was 6th or 7th. Tonight I will celebrate with Team Norway with a couple beers and a nice meal. Thanks for all the support back home and hopefully I can maintain this great start. The task was 75.4km and most of the field finished. Jim Orava and Nicole both finished for the Canadian Team and hopefully Brett can get in tomorrow too.
Cheers
Keith

Quick

2009-01-22T21:05:00.001-07:00

Everything is good. Making changes to my glider daily. I got new risers last night. 4 reserves tosses today. Chad and Peter are having fun. Food is great. Chat soon. I wrote a long post then lost it 3 times so I am going to bed annoyed with this crap so i hope your all reading it.
K

Quick Update

2009-01-20T21:10:00.001-07:00

Got here in Mexico Late Last Nite. Almost missed my flight out of Calgary as it left at 8 not 8.30am yeah I know......grin. Woke up this morning and went flying. Good to catch up with old friends here training for the Worlds. I got to really test the new glider and was very Happy with what I found. Its not typical GIN glider but very nice, More on that later. So after two hours and a cruise around the area I landed at the lake for a nice beer and a rest for tomorrow. The internet is rough here so for the next few days updates will be tough. once the meet starts it will be better as we have internet at HQ. All for now and check out the Spo track from the post below and you can see part of my flight for how it works. You can start tracking around11am <calgary time and it should move every 10mins or so. All for now. time for sleep as the sun is HOT and the days rough....I know how sorry you all feel for me.
Cheers
K

Keith's Paragliding Travels

2009-01-19T00:05:00.000-07:00

Well If your getting this email I probably think you might care about where I am or if not then just delete this and ignore.
I am off in about 6 hours to Valle de Bravo, Mexico for the Paragliding World Championships. I will get a week of practice in then the game begins on Sunday the 25th. I plan to try and update my blog but I will also give you the links for other sites with info. My other major plan is to fly with my SPOT locator beacon, It will update every 10mins live with where I am so if you want to get fired then go watch this site.

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?&glId=0QnTjoYYNEq9Fu8JuDoV2aAexa2FdM2Cu

http://mullerwindsports.blogspot.com/

http://www.keithmac22.blogspot.com/

http://www.canadiannationalteam.ca/

The Best Coverage probably
http://www.eagleparagliding.com/?q=node/212

The Official Coverage
http://www.pwmex2009.com/

So hope all is well for all of you and Thanks so much for all the support now its my turn to go represent.

Cheers
Keith

Thanks for a Great Evening

2009-01-15T18:48:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to say thanks again to all those that came and to those that chipped in some money. It was a very successful evening and I will do my best to represent Canada and make you all proud.
Cheers and Thanks again
Keith

test

2009-01-12T23:17:00.001-07:00

TEST

Fundraiser for my trip to the World Paragliding Championships

2009-01-10T22:11:00.002-07:00

Come to Shank's Crowfoot to have a few drinks and support my Paragliding Endeavors. I will be having a 50/50 draw as the fundraiser part so don't feel like you have to pay money if you come, I would like to just see all my friends. My good friend John McIsaac from Canmore will be doing a slide show on his attempts at climbing Everest without O2. I think we have a great evening planned.

Place: Shanks Crowfoot in NW Calgary
When: January 14th/2009
TIme: Around 7pm

Cheers
K
Check out my new glider a Boom 6 from GIN GLIDERS mine is the white one
http://www.pbase.com/vincene/gin_gliders_boom_6__icepeak_3

Chelan

2008-07-24T23:50:00.002-06:00

I am off tomorrow for the Canadian Paragliding Nationals in Chelan. I will be taking my girlfriend Caroline along for this adventure as after it wraps up we will be taking two weeks holiday on Vancouver Island. I feel as though I am ready for a great meet after the summer has not allowed for many long flights. I will hopefully be using my SPOT locator some days but the batteries are lithiums so very expensive the link to follow me is http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?&glId=0QnTjoYYNEq9Fu8JuDoV2aAexa2FdM2Cu .
So give it a try.

I will be using the Boom 5 from Gin Gliders for this meet so it will not be my equipment holding me back.

Hopefully I will be able to Blog while there but if not I will write when i get to my Mom's after the meet.
Cheers
Keith

Mexico

2008-01-22T14:45:00.001-07:00

The meet started on Sunday and Will and I arrived a couple days before that to get into the groove. I am flying a new glider this season so getting used to it right before the first day was a bit short. So Day 1 started with a nice rough day of flying the ended up shading over and shut most of the day down fro us so I ended in 28th spot after day 1. Day 2 was a great day we had a 70km task and after a very risky final glide I finished in 5th place. the task had us fly into goal with nothing but trees between us and the finish. I made it into the finish cylinder but not into the actual field of goal as I was to low. Today I really don't want to talk about so I won't.
Hope all is well back home.
I will most certainly lose my 13th place overall.
I will try to update more often but internet is tricky here and the only reason I am even writing today is I was back early.
Cheers
K

Home Sweet Home

2007-03-21T21:15:00.000-06:00

I am home now and after recovering from what seemed like the worst Jet Lag ever. I have been suffering the post long trip blues as I spent so much time and effort organizing it and now its over. But that just means its time to plan for something else. After spending Will's birthday in the rain and totally drunk we got up the next morning for the last task of the World Championships and the sun was actually shining. The day looked ok but cloudbase was low so we knew it would be tough. Sure enough we all launched into the cluster of gliders not really climbing but above launch. Myself and Will left between the start times so took a 10 minute penalty by not waiting for the next start time. We talked as we were close to each other and decided to just continue to goal as it was the last day. The day went well with only a few tough spots for me and a great final glide to goal with left most of the way for the last 10 km's. I finished my Solo Bar as I was crossing the goal line as the munchies struck and I had an extra bar in my pocket to finish before packing up to come home so it was time to eat. I crossed the line a couple minutes behind Will and placed 26th for the day while he got 7th. Yes it was tight with a lot of gliders crossing together. So the meet ended on a good note with a nice task and an ok race. I placed 51st for my first ever World's finish and have to be happy with that but next time I now know I can do better. I felt as though I was able to keep up with the Top pilots but they really excel at not making mistakes. There bottom end seems to be higher than mine so I come home and will practice not making the little mistakes and focus on making more solid decisions with reading conditions.

There are a few Thank You's for this trip:
Invico Capital Corporation -
For obviously supporting me both Financially as well as encouraging me to chase the dream. Dave, Alison and Jason you guys all rock and Thanks for all the support.
Solo Energy Bars -
Is my newest supporter and they stepped up supplying me with the energy to fly the long days when I first got there. I also used the bars to keep me alive when I decided that Australian sandwiches taste like crap. So Thanks Saul.
Columbia View Homes -
For the team support. Looking forward to seeing you this summer.
Muller Windsports -
Vincene you are the best we could ever have on our side and without you I would never have made it this far so Thank You.

All the friends that chipped in to make this happen. I will never be able to repay you for a trip that I will never forget. So thanks.
D&G- Your Simply The BEST
Caroline- For allowing me to go away to chase the dream. Love ya
Will for being easy to share a caravan with when the rain fell and the flying sucked at times.
Nicole our Team Leader for going to meetings that I am glad I never had to go to and being a master sandwich maker after we all got sick of the bakery. Thanks

The next comp comes at the End of July
Were running the Canadian National Paragliding Championships in Golden BC July 29th to August 4th 2007
till then later

Days Go By

2007-03-05T22:01:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since my last confession. We have been doing everything but flying here it seems. So what that really means is we have been doing nothing. The weather is not on our side so there for we have had to take up other tasks. I have choosen eating, sleeping and internet. Yes, for all of you that know me well this is not working so well for me. Boredom and I have had a very much love hate relationship over the years and this last fortnight is testing it yet again. We have had 3 days here since the World's started and now we only have 3 left to go. The forecast dare i say looks good for the next few days but I will wait till they are here before I get my hopes up on some racing conditions. I still sit in the Top 50 overall so I am not going to shed a tear about it but I still wish we could test ourselves with some real flying rather than surfing every bit of lift we can find.

So until I have something more postive to say I have decided to say nothing at all.
K

Were Flying

2007-03-02T04:36:00.000-07:00

Yeah so today the storms finally stopped and we actually woke up to no clouds. The original thought was it might be windy but once arriving on launch it was the opposite. We had no idea which launch of the four to go to as it was really not blowing up any of them. Gadd and I sat on the east launch as the first start time went by with both of us behind a solid 20 or so other gliders before we could even get a chance to get into the air. After sitting for what seemed like ages we finally chucked ourselves into the abyss. In front of launch there was marginal to no lift at all. I promptly sunk out and landed at the bottom just in time to get a ride back up top as everyone climbed out. I was no behind the entire field of 145 pilots. It was time to get my ass in gear. I launched the West launch this time and climbed straight away up to almost base where I decided to head to the first turnpoint which we were told was a massive sink hole. It was. I was so far behind I had a great view of the field of pilots in front of me. We had a group climbing just before the turnpoint to the right and few to the left. I choose left and it worked. I was now with the pack. We went back in the direction of launch were we all got very low waiting for the lack of lift to become something useful. I finally climbed back to base and went on glide towards launch. I was now in the lead gaggle and charging hard. Just at the end of the ridge before turnpoint 2 Josh Cohn and I climbed to base and headed out to the flats where the turnpoint was located we timed it perfect and were now leading with me being first to tag the turnpoint. We tagged it and headed east over town to a small and I mean very small ridge hoping for a quick climb that would allow us to tag the final turnpoint and head to goal. We slowed down just enough that a few other pilots including Tom from the US to help us. We waited for another what seemed forever before we climbed back out. I turned left well Tom turned right and he got the climb and I missed it. I then waited longer turning in zero lift now giving up my lead to 5 pilots. I was still in the game so I hung in there. The next group was none other than PWC champ Chrigal and we quickly climbed up enough to tag the final point and head into the wind to Goal. Goal was right next to the Caravan park where were staying so very close to home. I believe I made goal in about 13th place. As I was packing up we watched many pilots in the gaggles after us dirting just short into the headwind. The speed section ends 1 km short of actual goal but if you do not make it across the physical goaline you get all your speed points taken away. So it should be a nice spread of points between those that made it and those that dirted. There are rumors of 35ish pilots in goal on a 60.7 km task. So I am headed to bed to prepare for tomorrow. We entertained ourselves with another episode of "Heroes" tonight to chill out. It has become a great tradition watching the laptops in our caravan. Well all for now.
Cheers
K

Great Ideas

2007-02-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

Yeah I started with what I thought would be such a great idea. I launched right behind Will and we slowly got to base. I spent sometime in the marry go round at base in bigears trying to stay out of the clouds with about 100 of the gliders that had launched. I worked my way to the edge of the circle which was 2km around launch. I dedcided if I go I could probably drag at least a few gliders with me but no luck. I was about half way through my glide to the next climb when I turned around to see that I was all alone in the middle of nowhere with no help to find the next climb. I did find my next climb and got back to base thinking at least the gaggle will be chasing soon then I can have some help. Once at base i headed to the ridge in fornt of me and continued alone again as there was still know one with me so it was time to just go it alone for the day. I got to the Turnpoint and got base very quickly. I turned for the big glide to goal and hit the headwind hard. I glided to the next ridge where I managed to get up a bit to the next ridge where I knew I just needed about 500m climb to get high enough to get over the ridge before goal. I searched and searched but no luck for me today. I landed happy but a little frustrated to watch everyone fly over my head. It was a great effort to get it alone but next time I think Power in Numbers is the way to go. Today is looking very suspect as we just had about an hour of some of the coolest thunderstorms I have ever seen. It is rumbling still as I write this. It is 10am here on wednesday and I believe we will be watching more episodes of "Heroes" which by the way is the best show on TV I believe now. Its very entertaining for us to hang out in Franklin and watch american TV together. So hope your all enjoying the snow back home...grin.
Cheers
K

The World's Start

2007-02-25T19:02:00.002-07:00

Or do they? They were suppose to start yesterday and as of now Monday afternoon we still have not had a task. The weather has been epic since I arrived almost 2 weeks ago. But yesterday things went bad weather wise. We went to launch yesterday and watched as the clouds got bigger and bigger around us. I got already with my flying clothes and walked into the line up to launch when they delayed us for about 5 minutes then called the day as cancelled. I was a little displeased that I got ready for nothing and voiced it loudly out of frustration. I quickly calmed down and packed up my gear and drove down the hill. We were really happy to be down as a few hours later one of the biggest thuderstorms I have ever seen dumped loads of rain on the town of Manilla.
We had a very nice dinner of pasta made with peanut butter, thai curry paste and coconut milk. (VERY TASTY). Were eating on a budget here as it costs a lot for food were finding. Apres dinner we chilled with friends and retreated to Franklin (Will's & Keith's Caravan) to watch an American TV show called "Heroes". Ok James you win its a good show...grin. We watched the first two episodes before crawling into our beds to read for a couple hours. Yes, I do know how to read.
Today we have been chillin in various capacities from Jogging to coffee drinking to napping and some computer work. I have arranged for a couple us to go to Sydney on the way home and my brother has got us tickets to some Australian Rugby which should be crazy fun. The forcast I have to say is not great for the next few days as a tropical storm sits in the North of Australia pulling moisture from the south towards us. But hey if you have a drought book a paragliding meet to get rid of it. Well enough of me rambling and I hope all is well for everyone wherever they are.
Cheers
Keith
PS. cross your fingers for things to improve for us until then bring on "Heroes"

Pictures

2007-02-23T17:29:00.001-07:00

Check the link to the right

Pratice Day

2007-02-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

Were all here now. Josh Cohn and Bill Belcourt arrived yesterday. So the US Team is Kari Castle, Tom McCune, Bill Belcourt and Josh Cohn. The Canadians are of course already here. We will all go up to launch and set up some sort of practice task to get back into it all. Tonight is registration so i have to get some paperwork together. They are very sticky about prototypes here and wether the right person is flying it so a few of us had to get a letter signed by the designer to prove were allowed.
So its 8 am and the Cuckatoo's do not allow for sleep past about 7:30 so needless to say we get up early every morning. It is nicer this morning as it rained during a tunderstorm last night for a bit to really settle things down. Sorry for not being able to post many pictures but I am hoping still that I find a connection with more bandwith to allow me to send bigger files. Sorry for the scatered post but hey its something I guess. I am still tired so will take it easy for the next couple days to get back into the game.
Cheers
K