The forecast for Saturday obviously didn’t excite many for gliding, maybe the beach was a bigger draw because it was a select bunch in the clubhouse when I arrived as duty instructor. Cooked breakfasts were much in evidence and with the Duty Marshall MIA it looked to be a slow starting day! As I was joined by Simon Minson, Stuart Procter and James Flory - the instructor cadre held the edge numbers-wise over the pupils briefly - what instructor shortage I thought?!
Hot, Hot, Hot (Library photo)
So young Joel Roulson, Jack Cook and Thomas Gunner had opportunity to get repeat flights in with launch failures and opportunity to chase elusive low thermals. I say low, they seemed to stop at 900ft and in the blue, circling seagulls were the only visual clues. Returning to gliding after a long gap, Phil Rowlands was the 4th name on the list and it's fabulous to see him grease in the K21 with Simon - welcome back Phil!
The beach probably was the better place for seasoned soarers as NH was bathed in sea air with the serious skies miles to the north. Not that fun wasn’t to be had and to prove the point to myself I had a sweaty 30 mins in the Junior in that sweet spot of 500ft to 700ft in tricky thermals on the south ridge. - John Pursey
