Click image for more!Another special Saltspring day
Audrey reports (with creative editing by Jayson):
"Lots of pilots out today! Among them, were Rick, Hans, Bev, Maurice, Greg, Jayson, P-Mac, and two people from Vancouver, Josanne, and her husband Mark, who have both been living on the island for over twelve years and today would be their first time paragliding!
Click image for more!Once again, it was a beautifully sunny day - it seems that the summer isn’t finished yet on the island - which is awesome. We stopped as usual at the small coffee restaurant located at the terminal to get some coffee and some food for the day. There is a lot a good food there, but be careful when ordering a plate, for a little bird like me you will be full after the first bite. After that quick stop, we headed for Mount Bruce where all of the experienced pilots flew with grace. Today was to be both Maurice and Greg’s first solo flights and they were both pretty cranky but excited. [Editor's note: I like Maurice and Greg being described as 'cranky' so I've decided to leave that adjective as is]
Click image for more!P.Mac went first, followed by Hans and then Jayson and Mark on tandem. The tandem couple were so excited I couldn’t believe it. Mark launched with Jayson and he ran perfectly as directed. After his flight, he was like a kid, delighted and filled with joy. That was a new feeling for him and he said, "...while in the air, the feeling was so great, like I was a bird!"
Now it was time for Maurice and Greg and and they got ready and, under Rick’s supervision, they both launched like real pros! Both of them had nice, smooth flights and good landings. Congratulations for your first solo flights guys!
As usual, Charlie and Rick launched skillfully. Bev didn’t fly today but, instead, was taking pictures of all the flights as a real photographer. She owns a camera made for professionals (I know nothing about it but I can recognize a good one!).
Back with everyone on the ground after the first flights, Maurice, Greg, and tandem passenger Mark were all so excited that it was contagious!
Click image for more!On Mt Maxwell, Charlie and Rick broke the ice by doing two wonderful flights both getting over an hour, with Rick 'para-mooning' us many times! Hans made some attempts before getting in the air for his first solo from this site. He then got to soar along the beautiful Maxwell cliffs with Rick and Charlie.
Josanne was (naturally) very nervous when her turn came to fly. Jayson attached her to his harness and told her how to run and in which direction. She was smiling like no one else at that moment and she was so glad to have the opportunity to do it.
Click image for more!They waited for a long time (~45mins!) before launching as the wind wasn’t a good direction and not quite strong enough for this short launch site. Josanne even wanted to come back another day. Paragliding will teach you patience, that is for sure. We all suggested that she wait just a bit more though - she did travel all the way here from Vancouver so she had to do it now. After only another 3 minutes of waiting, Jayson told her to run fast and off they flew!!!
She yelled out when she was flying and everyone yelled back from the mountain! She was so glad. That was unbelievable that she finally got to fly. 
Click image for more!When I arrived at the landing zone, she was still screaming and laughing, showing a huge smile. Jayson made her day that is for sure! Josanne and her husband are going to register for the Daytaster as well. They appreciated their flight so much that they have decided to get into one further course. That is great!
After yet another warm day, we headed back for the ferry and stopped for a quick refreshing drink. Next time, I should order a margarita! Hans got one and it looked so good. Anyway, we celebrated the two first solo flights for Greg and Maurice, the first solo for Hans from Maxell and the first tandem flights for the happy couple. Cheers everybody!"
Enjoy the great photos courtesy of P-Mac and Bev!
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