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| What is the BIGGEST reason that YOU would enter a hang gliding competition? |
| the thrill of competition, to try to be #1 |
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7% |
[ 5 ] |
| to fly with the best and improve myself |
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44% |
[ 29 ] |
| because it's fun to all fly together |
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12% |
[ 8 ] |
| because of the social aspects of competitions |
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4% |
[ 3 ] |
| to have fun, I don't care much about winning or losing |
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20% |
[ 13 ] |
| to accomplish flights that would likely be impossible by myself |
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4% |
[ 3 ] |
| to compare myself to other pilots |
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3% |
[ 2 ] |
| to compare equipment performance |
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0% |
[ 0 ] |
| OTHER (please explain below) |
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3% |
[ 2 ] |
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| Total Votes : 65 |
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TomGalvin
3 thumbs up
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 3563
Location: ............... Pagosa Springs, Colorado
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relate2
3 thumbs up
Joined: 17 Jul 2007
Posts: 3415
Location: Australia
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 Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 3:27 pm Post subject: |
 #22 |
| Bobfly wrote: |
| noman3 wrote: |
| to have fun,why else would i fly? |
Couldn't have put it more succinctly. |
I would also add for me I do it for the meditation, the major reason why I love Stanwell so much.
Not much meditation done in a competition. 
_________________
Sonic 165
Lightsport 3
Malibu 188
My youtube channel
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Willmrx
3 thumbs up
Joined: 12 Jan 2008
Posts: 1611
Location: Northern Cal
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 3:53 pm Post subject: |
#23 |
| remmoore wrote: |
"I'm asking-
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST REASON THAT WOULD MAKE YOU ENTER A HANG GLIDING COMPETITION?"
Perhaps if I were interested in pulling my flying experiences down to the same level as baseball, basketball, poker, or any of the mundane aspects of life where we're forced to compete.
Maybe if I were so incredibly bored with HG that I had to fill it with rules, waypoints petty arguements, massive egos and vanity.
What if I traded in the freedom to fly exactly how I want, when I want, and where I want? To give up opportunites to head in the direction I want to go; to stop and hang out with soaring birds for as long as I want; to circle whatever direction I damn well please, and to fly with pilots who actually care about me?
Would that be enough to tempt me into competition?
RM |
_________________
Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to talk, think and act for myself -- and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.---- Chief Joseph, Washington, D.C. 1879 |
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fakeDecoy
2 thumbs up
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 950
Location: Fort Funston, CA
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 4:15 pm Post subject: |
#24 |
I want to learn from the best, but I don't want to have to compete to do it. How about the top pilots start writing everything they know so I can learn without traveling. Is Pagen the only comp pilot who has written anything like that (Secrets of Champions)? And that book is like 40 years old.
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H2 / Sport 2 155
There is no spoon.
Never trust internet pilots! |
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CAL
3 thumbs up
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Posts: 3468
Location: OGDEN, UT
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 5:20 pm Post subject: |
#25 |
| remmoore wrote: |
"I'm asking-
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST REASON THAT WOULD MAKE YOU ENTER A HANG GLIDING COMPETITION?"
Perhaps if I were interested in pulling my flying experiences down to the same level as baseball, basketball, poker, or any of the mundane aspects of life where we're forced to compete.
Maybe if I were so incredibly bored with HG that I had to fill it with rules, waypoints petty arguements, massive egos and vanity.
What if I traded in the freedom to fly exactly how I want, when I want, and where I want? To give up opportunites to head in the direction I want to go; to stop and hang out with soaring birds for as long as I want; to circle whatever direction I damn well please, and to fly with pilots who actually care about me?
Would that be enough to tempt me into competition?
RM |
that's funny you would mention circle which ever direction you want. when i was at the King meet, K.C. told me that i was supposed to only make left hand circles, soon after launch, i hit a thermal which lifted my right wing and my instincts took over and i banked towards the lifted wing, and continued to core that direction, when i got down K.C. said that Lisa was upset that he didn't explain it to me , i was embarrassed to cover it up i said i am going to tell her i didn't heat that from you and i am sticking to it  i laughed and he said you better not , i laughed even harder and said that is my story and i am sticking to it i later told him i will let her know i have two left hands
the next day i got it right i mean left
i like the freedom of flying as you explained, i like where your heart is when it comes down to flying, i remember when you commented on a thread what constitutes a XC flight and you explained why does there need to be rules in the most free spirited form of flying about what there needs to be accomplished in XC, it is whats in your heart that matters.
i implemented that , i now fly with my heart trying to cut the leash and fly far and high and take time to view the beauty that surrounds us that only we see from a birds eye view
but for those that like to compete go for it ! it is there and have the time of your life however you choose to enjoy this wonderful sport 
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jjcote
3 thumbs up
Joined: 01 Dec 2007
Posts: 3218
Location: Lunenburg, MA, USA
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 6:10 pm Post subject: |
#26 |
I don't. I decided when I got into this flying thing that I'm not going to compete. I will probably go to the TTT Team Challenge at some point, but that's because I perceive it to be more of an XC flying clinic than a competition (as as a result, I may make a lousy team member). I compete at other things, and I don't want that competition stuff screwing up my flying (in terms of enjoyment and safety). Other people like competing, and they're welcome to it.
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dave hopkins
3 thumbs up
Joined: 25 Dec 2010
Posts: 769
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 6:22 pm Post subject: |
#27 |
| AIRTHUG wrote: |
As per Merriam Webster:
| Quote: |
Definition of COMPETE
intransitive verb
: to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective (as position, profit, or a prize) : be in a state of rivalry <competing teams> <companies competing for customers> |
The feeling I get is most people are about the first part- with the goal being, well, GOAL... The way I'm built, I'm more about the second part- the RIVALRY part...
I see now that current meets very much meet the definition of 'competition', and I just don't feel there's enough rivalry to my taste...
Did I already mention that I guess I'm just a jerk like that? 
I grew up playing hockey... my favorite situations in hockey were when there was a loose puck exactly equal distance between me and someone else. Either had to get there first, or if you don't crush him and take it 
I think I'm just too competitive for hang gliding competition Maybe I should stick to fun flying.... I'm probably much more fun to be around that way :thumbs up: |
Hang gliding comp is good, it will humble you. Like most competitions it takes time and work to get to the top. Just try to fly consistently and you will do well. the best way to win is get to goal every day. You will get spanked in the beginning but keep it safe and learn how to stay in the air and race when you can. As mike barber says the race is in the climb. Climb fast get to the next lift higher and faster . The guys on the top are really good but maybe you are too . one way to find out.
dave |
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Flyking
3 thumbs up
Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 614
Location: Ogden UT
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 6:30 pm Post subject: |
#28 |
I have been flying in the King Comp. since 1995. For a long time the comp was only 4 days long. The first year my longest flight was 15 miles in my TRX. I never could get past Pass Creek. The second year I still never made father than Pass creek. The third year I had my TRX 160 and it was a light thermal ridge lift day. I finally got high enough in a thermal on Sunset ridge and made it past Pass creek. I was a good pilot when it comes to ridge lift and I managed to ride the ridge all the way to Bora peek. I then got into a thermal that got me high enogh to get to victory ridge were I rode ridge lift almost all the way to Challis with a few small thermals in between. It was the second longest flight of the day (Ken Muscio) beat me by 5 miles.
I fly the King comp. because of all the awesome pilots I have met that go there. I have done well in some meets and even have aquired a few Recreation Class trophies and two first place team trophies. I think the best I have ever done in the open class was 12th place. I am not a compition pilot but it is shure fun to fly with the ones that are.
I fly the King Comp. because every day I have flown there with other pilots I learn somthing new. e.g. I launched to early or I launched to late or I should of stayed with that last thermal or I flew over to the next range to early before it started to produce lift.
There have been many days at King where I was on the ground watching other gliders fly overhead and other times when I saw gliders on the ground while I flew by. When you fly in a gaggle with a bunch of good experianced pilots you gain a lot of knowledge on how to thermal. When to bank harder and push out more or when to fly a little faster or slower ect.
The main reson I go to King is to be around hang glider pilots period. I think we are a special breed and I have not met many I didn't like. I have heard that there are not that many pilots going to the King Meet this year so this is the year to go if you want one of Lisa's special trophies.
Another reason I go to King is to beat my last best flight. My goal still is to fly over 100 miles. I have been over May airport many times just to see the Salmon River Valley overdeveloped and have to come out of the sky for a 70 mile flight. I hope 2011 will be the year for me because I think this is the last year I plan to be in the comp.
_________________
H-4. Flying since 1975, Gliders, 17 ft Manta St, Electra Flyer Wildflower 220, Leading Edge Air Foil 6-C 160, Electra Flyer Oly 160, WW Omega 220, UP Comet 160, UP Comet O.V.R.160, UP Comet 2 160, UP TRX 160, WW Fusion 141, Bennett Dream 220 , UP Predator 142 and T-2 154. Love to Fly King Mt. Willard and the Crawford Mt's are the home sites. FL,AWCL,CL,FSL,RLF,TUR. |
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Andrew Vanis
3 thumbs up
Joined: 01 Mar 2009
Posts: 484
Location: www.flysandia.org - Albuquerque, NM, USA
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 7:01 pm Post subject: |
#29 |
| AIRTHUG wrote: |
| I want to kick some ass! |
You won't know if you don't go.
You might pull it off
but if you don't....you WILL learn a WHOLE lot
Good luck in either case. |
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Flyking
3 thumbs up
Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 614
Location: Ogden UT
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 7:03 pm Post subject: |
#30 |
Best flights @ King since 1995: Route 1-75 miles to Challis, Route 2-20 miles, Route 3-56 miles. Route 4-15 miles.
_________________
H-4. Flying since 1975, Gliders, 17 ft Manta St, Electra Flyer Wildflower 220, Leading Edge Air Foil 6-C 160, Electra Flyer Oly 160, WW Omega 220, UP Comet 160, UP Comet O.V.R.160, UP Comet 2 160, UP TRX 160, WW Fusion 141, Bennett Dream 220 , UP Predator 142 and T-2 154. Love to Fly King Mt. Willard and the Crawford Mt's are the home sites. FL,AWCL,CL,FSL,RLF,TUR. |
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AIRTHUG
3 thumbs up
Joined: 09 Aug 2007
Posts: 6162
Location: Point of the Mountain, Draper, UT
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| Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 8:30 pm Post subject: |
#31 |
| dave hopkins wrote: |
Hang gliding comp is good, it will humble you. Like most competitions it takes time and work to get to the top. Just try to fly consistently and you will do well. the best way to win is get to goal every day. You will get spanked in the beginning but keep it safe and learn how to stay in the air and race when you can. As mike barber says the race is in the climb. Climb fast get to the next lift higher and faster . The guys on the top are really good but maybe you are too . one way to find out. |
Well put Dave. I hope I've made it clear that I don't think I'm going to show up and win or anything like that... quite the opposite actually.... but do I think I could some day do well, if not win... maybe
We'll see....
In the mean time... I'm wondering if I'm the only one out to kick some names and take some ass....
I bet Noman would share my aggressive rivalry mentality if/when he competed. Angel on the ground, devil in the skies
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Ryan Voight
BLOG: www.AIRTHUG.com
VIDEOS: http://vimeo.com/AIRTHUG |
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Hangskier
3 thumbs up
Joined: 10 Jan 2011
Posts: 858
Location: Eastern NC, USA
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 5:22 am Post subject: |
#32 |
Never competed but want to for the women in the stands, after party, and T-shirt. 
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Aspiring Pilot for LIfe and Focused
1st Flight/Solo Nov 1993 |
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Avolare
3 thumbs up
Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 283
Location: NC
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 6:15 am Post subject: |
#33 |
I think the internal conflict will tear you apart.
Years of teaching hg vs keepin' it to yourself to have an "advantage".
I go to learn, when I can go. TTTTC has been incredible, rain days will be some of your biggest learning days of your hg career. |
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old newbie
3 thumbs up
Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 822
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 6:33 am Post subject: |
#34 |
I avoided comps for a long time in paragliding. Afraid of somehow ruining the joy of free flight. When I finally entered one I had a blast. A chance to go fly more in a week then you would in a summer, flying with friends, learning so much. One of the more enjoyable things was seeing seasoned comp pilots get more joy in seeing someone get to goal for the first time then winning the day. Flying xc at a comp is a collective endevaor and most pilots are competing against themselves more then against others.
It is also good for some pilots to get out of their little fish bowls and see how good they really are or aren't.
Steve Forslund |
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remmoore
3 thumbs up
Joined: 24 Jul 2008
Posts: 1341
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 10:31 am Post subject: |
#35 |
"It is also good for some pilots to get out of their little fish bowls and see how good they really are or aren't."
Public Request
If I ever get so jaded and bored with HG that I need to do as suggested above - please shoot me!
Good God, to think that my love of soaring and my self esteem would hinge on how "good" I am competing against others is repulsive. It's not how "good" I am - it's about how amazing HG is!
RM |
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AIRTHUG
3 thumbs up
Joined: 09 Aug 2007
Posts: 6162
Location: Point of the Mountain, Draper, UT
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 11:24 am Post subject: |
#36 |
| remmoore wrote: |
"It is also good for some pilots to get out of their little fish bowls and see how good they really are or aren't."
Public Request
If I ever get so jaded and bored with HG that I need to do as suggested above - please shoot me!
Good God, to think that my love of soaring and my self esteem would hinge on how "good" I am competing against others is repulsive. It's not how "good" I am - it's about how amazing HG is!
RM |
I don't think he was talking to you, Mr Sensitive 
I *would* like to find out how I stack up against others...
_________________
Ryan Voight
BLOG: www.AIRTHUG.com
VIDEOS: http://vimeo.com/AIRTHUG |
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peanuts
3 thumbs up
Joined: 08 Jul 2008
Posts: 1880
Location: virginia
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 11:40 am Post subject: |
#37 |
| i wonder if competition has added anything to the equipment we now use, and if any further development could be caused by competition? |
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Wes
2 thumbs up
Joined: 19 Mar 2009
Posts: 257
Location: Salt Lake City
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 12:26 pm Post subject: |
#38 |
| The cool t-shirts |
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CAL
3 thumbs up
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Posts: 3468
Location: OGDEN, UT
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 12:54 pm Post subject: |
#39 |
| remmoore wrote: |
"It is also good for some pilots to get out of their little fish bowls and see how good they really are or aren't."
Public Request
If I ever get so jaded and bored with HG that I need to do as suggested above - please shoot me!
Good God, to think that my love of soaring and my self esteem would hinge on how "good" I am competing against others is repulsive. It's not how "good" I am - it's about how amazing HG is!
RM |
you do not need to compete to get out of the fish bowl, just go places, i need to get out of the fish bowl and head out ! i have a lot to learn, and steps to take. everyone needs self esteem, feeling good about yourself is important and helping others feel good about themselves as well, but everyone has there own book to write, i like the chapter you are writing for yourself, i feel it is inspiring and i have been inspired by your love of the sport.
where do you get your self esteem RM ?
I am also inspired by Jeff O'Brien, Zach Majors and other like them, they are great competitors who truly love the Sport as well, and so humble because they have had there victories along with defeat, they are very approachable and would be happy to help any pilot a long the way, both Zach and Jeff went out of there way to greet me, came up and shook my hand, i knew who they were but didn't think they would be interested in some average joe like myself, wow i have a lot of respect for that,
there are things i find repulsive, but wanting to be best at what you do and going for it is quite ok for me, i have been there, done that in other sports and yes i was pumped, it is never long lasting, but good experience.
i have lot of respect for Ryan and his needs, he will do great and it will in the end make him a better person, he has a lot going for him as a person at a very young age and he will add to that as life goes on, i have no doubt !
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Explore nature from the eyes of an Eagle |
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Rick M
3 thumbs up
Joined: 22 Apr 2007
Posts: 1071
Location: Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 1:20 pm Post subject: |
#40 |
| CAL wrote: |
| I am also inspired by Jeff O'Brien, Zach Majors and other like them, they are great competitors who truly love the Sport as well, and so humble because they have had there victories along with defeat, they are very approachable and would be happy to help any pilot a long the way, |
Shortly after getting my H2 a large group of us were camping on the mountain for a weekend of flying. One of the pilots (who unfortunately isn't with us anymore) was, at the time, either a current or recent national HG champion. I was amazed that me, a lowly H2 newbie, was hanging out with a national champ. I was able to talk to him a bit. He was a great guy.
How many sports are there were this occurs? Not many I'm sure.
More on topic, I have no desire for real competition. I'm happy if I don't sink out in the first 10 minutes after launch. But I'm getting better and I am starting to get the "cut the leash" itch. I'm heading to Tennessee this fall for my 2nd Team Challenge and hope to make goal at least once. I did it 3 years ago and only landed out (6 miles) once. I was thrilled but so far that's been it. It's tough with what little flying I can get in during a year.
Whether fun flying or in a comp, to me the best part is sharing flying stories in the LZ after a great day.
_________________
Rick
Hang 3 - WW U2 160
FL - ST - FSL - AT - TUR
"Once you have flown you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you long to return" -- Leonardo da Vinci |
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