Heard it's fake but done well.
"four gliders in under a year!
thought windsurfing and kiting were gear intensive!
do you have to wait around for wind? what are the best conditions - does it conflict with good sailing conditions? Just how dangerous is it? (with a harness!)"
The first glider I wrote off years ago on the first fly. I tried teaching myself but had a bad instructor , done it properly this time. The big red one was to learn on. The 2000 buck one I bought for the equipment ,it's small for me but now I use it on the windy days. The high proformance topless (no kingpost) popped up earlier than intended but couldn't pass up the offer.
Most people buy a novice wing and fly it for a year or two then an intermediate for the same time or more. If their still keen they buy a topless after about three years or so. The majority travel around with only one glider which covers all flying conditions, I just got greedy.
If you are towed up behind a car, ultra light or using a powered harness wind is not needed. Once your up, find a thermal and stay up for hours.
If flying from coastal sites such as on the the first post Utube or duchies, 10 to 20 knots onshore is ideal (onshore for flying, sideshore for sailing) so there's no conflict.
On large hills or mountains such as Mt. Bakewell at York you can take off into a thermal when it comes up the slope on very light wind days (<5knots) or ridge soar and thermal (around 15 knots is perfect).
It's as safe as you want to make it. Beginer wings like Airborne "Fun" as used in schools and by pros for coastal flying are very stable, easy and safe to fly but go out in dodgy conditions and the risk starts to rise or by using a glider beyond your skill level. It's easier to learn than windsurfing or kiteing with the first solo flight often on the second day of the course. I've had no injuries and don't intend to, not even a bruise
.
, nice presentation though
.
