Smooth Sailing at Shelar
On Saturday I went flying after an entire month and a half. I could not wait to get up in the air and was hoping for good conditions. We got there early and after some ground handling walked up to takeoff. Due to the cross wind pilots had to take off, make their way in tail wind to the venturi and the little SW. facing ridge left of takeoff to gain height. The wind being quite strong people were able to gain enough height in this area and fly over the cliff and once at the upper cliff level the sky was all lift.
There were many pilots at takeoff and things were going slow as we had to give each one a chance to gain height. I dallied a while at takeoff and when I did get connected the wind had started to play up- on and off it went and I thought ‘oh oh! It is going to be a top to bottom for me today‘
I looked up to see all the other gliders soaring high over the cliff behind takeoff. As soon as the opportunity presented itself - I inflated , ran hard, and flew straight to the venturii With a few tight figure of eights I was soaring high – Once I got up it did not take much to stay up - it was easy lift and super smooth conditions and we all sailed along effortlessly.
After an amazing dreamy flight I landed a happy woman ready to head back to the city on Sunday morning. Sinchan, Soren, Kunal and Ashwin who shared the air with me that day were all hoping the weather would do a repeat performance on Sunday. They reported to me that conditions changed and what was ‘maska i.e super smooth on Saturday turned boom boom on Sunday. Well J – that’s what the weather has a reputation for doesn’t it?
Peace Bliss & Happy Landings
Astrid Rao
May the Force be with us – teaching the air force paragliding
We are happy and honored to be training the forces once more. Nirvana Adventures has bagged a prestigious Air force contract to train over a hundred airmen and officers from across the country in the art of paragliding.
Peace Bliss & Happy Landings
Astrid Rao
Farewell Rinul
Last weekend we gathered at Kamshet to fly and hang with Rinul a Nirvana club pilot and frequent visitor at native place. She leaves to go abroad to study and will be away for two years. We have already had a round of farewell parties and now it is Rinul’s turn – and a bunch of us ( Dwane, Dylan, Daniel, Astrid, Sanjay, Hiren, Nidhi, Sinchan, Harsh, Pankaj, Sudhir and Soren ) gathered to fly with her for the last time this year. She is off to Australia to study. Rinul completed her CP course this season and has packed in as much weakened flying as possible since then. She has already got her flying in Australia sorted out – her glider has been ordered and shipped and Sanjay put her in touch with Marc Mitsos who will introduce her to the sites and give her any assistance she will need –
Fly high & safe Rinul - we are going to miss your bubbly exuberance.
Astrid & Sanjay Rao
Ps. Apoorva we missed you
Goodbye Sammy, Dag, Chico and Consuelo
As winter comes to a close and the heat rises the time comes for our winter pilot visitors to move on and head out for cooler climes . This year Dag, Chico and Sammy spent a few months with the Nirvana Team doing tandems, flying with friends and enjoying the camaraderie at Native Place.
Last week Dag packed his bags and headed for Pokhra. Chico and Consuelo left to see Kerala before heading home to Italy and this weekend we say good bye to Sammy. After 3 months at Native Place he leaves for a little bit of Kerala and then back to France.
Au Revoir Sammy, Ciao Chico & Consuelo and Namaste Dag
See you next year same time same place
Sanjay, Astrid & the rest of the Nirvana Team
Weekday’s Break at Panchgani
Sammy Dag Ravi Bandya Vinya Sandeep Ganesh and Pushkar drove out to Panchgani on Monday morning where they enjoyed 4 great days of fun flying. On the weekend they came back to Native Place with strawberries, Sanjay took the wine up from Mumbai and Dag served up his famous strawberries and red wine desert at Native Place … Divine!
Guys you missed it
… so did I L
Astrid