This entry was posted on 6/7/2006 7:05 PM and is filed under uncategorized.
Patrick Eaves, San Luis Obispo super-instructor, AND paragliding movie producer, (One Sky and Wingenvy) brings his all-star cast of David "Slammin" Salmon, Jessie "Assymetric"Jenks, Eric "Chester" Hack, Bob Osborne, Jack Grisanti, Tyler, Tom to Bajabrent's B.4 Beachclub at La Salina Del Mar next to the ridge.
Every day was near perfect conditions as we flew 2-3 times per day and up to 2 hours per flight. As the week progressed I admired aerobatic maneuvers performed by Jessie, Eric, and Pat. We all learned more from these guys as we related our recent SIV clinic that Pat organized last fall. Yep, it was great to also fly with the group that did Enleau Oconnor" SIV clinic last fall: Patrick, David, Jack, Gloria, and John Pitt
But as spectacular as the SATs, spirals and wingovers were, no one could OUTSKYHIGH the endurance of Slammin Salmon! YEP at 67 years old his mastery of the sport is truly inspiring to everyone. He flies, high, fast, and makes the youngsters look like.....well YOUNGSTERS! This guy has NO PROBLEM hiking that mile switch back a couple of times a day...without A WHIMPER!
ON the greener side of lif....Tyler, at the age of 20 was quietly feeling his OATS! He showes some awesome improvement from '05! Must be all the great SLO He made 4/5 flights to the beach, flew 2-3 times a day. and then OUTTA NOWHERE...decided to challenge Bajabrent's HI-SPEED-HIKING record and charged up the switchback, from the LZ to North launch in 14 minutes!!!! Thats darn near as fast as Turbo Bob drove from the house to launch in 16 minutes! BOTH scared me...Tyler cause he was within 8 seconds shy (sorry son--maybe next year) and the LATTER cause I've never DONE THE CAR THING MUCH...and now I KNOW WHY....
Later in the week E-team Legend John Pitt came down from Lake Elsinore to inspire everyone to fly SOMEWHERE other than back and forth....well to go get GIRLS AT LA FONDA!!!. Indeed in one flight alone 6 sky-gods shot the mega-north gap and over the Guadalupe River with PITT, Pat and Eric landing at La Fonda's beach. Many other feats were accomplished during these ventures....flying to Magana's tacos...and Assymetric landing at the Bull Ring over by Oscars....
ONE unrelated note: in succession from before wingenvy's arrival, Bajabrent made 8 straight flights to the beach and actually made 11 out of 12. The week was considered a great success but for one incident involving a student pilot. Unfortunately, not all flights turn out as hoped.
On the 3rd day of flying where a student pilot, participating in a thermal clinic experienced a 60% collapse near the "sweet spot" marker at the turn in the road. He spun into his collapsed edge and impacted the side of the cliff. He suffered several broken/fractured bones and was rushed to San Diego where he was hospitalized . Thanks go out to Gabrielle Jebb, Gloria, Tom and Dr. Rudy Gallardo for quick action and first aid that facilitated his recovery. Our well wishes go out to the injured pilot, who is home recouperating. ( we have witheld his name in consideration of his own privacy).
Bajabrent wishes to thank the entire Wingenvy team for bringing such a great group of pilots to La Salina. On one day there were 16 of us flying simultaneously, a first in a long long time. The event is being planned for this October as well. Make sure you visit
www.WINGENVY.com for more world tours and training events.
" Jenks, Eric "Chester" Hack, and Patrick "Dirk" Eaves
