I NEED REPORTERS! There are a lot of events going on out there and while many of them get a mention in the SF BAPA email list, we would like to get these reviews and corresponding pictures into the Ridge Dancer too. I'm also looking for feature writers, so if you have some ideas I'd love to hear from you. Drop me a message at editor@sfbapa.org.

For this month we have revived an old column Activities and Events to be written by your Activities Directors Chip and/or Rich. I know I'm a bit late on publishing this month so some information is a week outdated.

Our feature article a re-write of our favorite coastal soaring site to the south by Vicki Bolam. This is the time of year when things start to get consistent! Stay tuned over the next couple months as Vicki has a couple more articles up her sleeve to share.

You'll note that the safety article is absent this month. That's 'cause you were all way too safe. If you do have any accidents to report on, fill out the anonymous on-line form found on the BAPA website and Wally will further analyze and post.

Next month we have some write ups from new P2 pilots on their first year experiences and on choosing their second wing. If you fit this profile and would like to contribute please contact me in the next week at editor@sfbapa.org. Next month will be out on time I promise!

The flying season is in full swing with two XC comps completed, fly-ins, and a number of other flying activities. The April 2-3 weekend included three overlapping events. The XC comp had a record 20 pilots and was the first opportunity in a long while for flying at a site that has been closed. Although the flying conditions weren't the best, a great time was had by all.

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The Elk Mountain fly-in was also a success, despite some less than optimal weather, with reports on the SFBAPG list of good flights and, as usual, some serious partying in the evening.

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Finally a group of us tried the Goat Mountain site for the first time. Goat was opened recently by HG pilots (pioneered by Ben Rogers) and had only been flown once by a PG pilot (Vicki Bolam). Ben introduced another 9 of us to what is sure to become a favorite BAPA flying site. "Goat" is about an hour south of Hollister off hwy 25 and, at least in the spring, is in a really beautiful setting. The main LZ is a huge open grassy field but it's a 6.5-1 glide so the site is not suitable for inexperienced pilots. There is a 3.5-1 bail-out LZ but it's not an easy one. One of the many great features of the site is the common occurrence of a convergence right over launch. There is also lots of XC potential. Kudos to Ben for finding and opening the site and to Vicky for being the first PG to fly there and encouraging the rest of us to try it.

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Last weekend (April 9-10) was the Potato Hill work party. We had a great turnout and, with help from Sgt. Shannon Langford and 12 Boys from the Fouts Springs Boys' Ranch, greatly expanded the launch site. Special thanks go to Greg Hackett and the other members of Sonoma wings who planned the event, the dozen PG pilots, and a few non-pilots, who all pitched in and worked really hard, especially those who are now suffering the aftermath of substantial poison oak exposure. In addition to lots of hard work, there was also time for some great flights both Sat and Sun. Greg had an "interesting" experience with what we think was an invisible dust devil. Fortunately wing and pilot recovered and landed safely.

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Upcoming events include:

The annual Jody Lucas picnic on Sunday April 24. BAPA will provide some deli trays and members can bring sides dishes drinks, and desserts. Food will be out from about 12 to 2 p.m. in the Sandy Wool gazebo close to the LZ. There will be a Hike and Huck to the top (and perhaps the 600 too) and door prizes.

The annual Anderson Flat fly-in April 30-May 1. Anderson Flat is a beautiful site near Yosemite which was pioneered by Gene Pfeiffer. During the fly-in we stay in and around Gene's family cabin and enjoy great food and big campfires.

The next monthly XC league comp is May 14-15. Come out and learn about comp flying, or strut your comp stuff, or just fly! Details on specific location will be announced in the days preceding the event (to take best advantage of the weather). More info on the comp is available at Bay Area/XC League or contact Jug Aggarwal.

Finally, watch the BAPA calendar and your email for details of these and other events. You can find the BAPA Calendar on the BAPA website at www.sfbapa.org. From the front page, select "Calendar". You can also check the Paragliding Schools, Trips and Tandems calendar to see what clinics and trips our local instructors have planned.

Back in 2001 (November and December 2001 RDs), Patrick Townsend-Wells wrote pretty much the definitive opus about flying in Sand City. It spanned two RD issues, and covered everything from high-wind launch techniques to how far the walk is if you sink out. But while the ridge and the wind are still there, a few other things have changed, so Tim K. asked me to write this follow-up article. For more details on the site, you'll want to read Patrick's articles, available at the BAPA web site. There is also a very complete site description on Kim Galvin's website, www.flyzephyr.com.

One brief disclaimer: Sand City is a wonderful place to fly, but it can be challenging because of the high wind and the low dunes. Many people go down there expecting a nice relaxing day at the beach, and end up soaked in sweat after hours of getting dragged and picking seaweed and dead seagulls out of their lines-not to mention emptying buckets of sand out of the glider. So, expect a learning curve depending on your overall experience level. But it's well worth the effort, and I can guarantee that whatever happens will be educational (I learn something new almost every day). I often think of Sand City as a paragliding gymnasium, and everybody needs to get to the gym occasionally, right?

Sand City/Marina - The Birds-Eye View

Just north of Monterey, a long (6+ miles) and low (0 to maybe 150 feet high) stretch of dunes runs from Sand City in the south to Marina State Beach (Reservation Road) in the north. It follows the southern curve of Monterey Bay (facing roughly NW to WNW), with landable beach (usually) the entire way.

For many years, Marina was one of the most popular hang gliding spots in the country, and this area still draws pilots from around the world. Until 1994, the ridge was part of the Fort Ord military base, and pilots had to keep a close eye out for the red flags that signaled target practice on the firing range.

The north end of the ridge (Marina State Beach, which includes the Reservation Road and Lake Court launches) is a USHGA-regulated site overseen by the local chapter, the Coastal Condors. The rest of the former Fort Ord property to the south, running until just before Sand City, will eventually be developed as a state beach. State funding makes the timing of that development uncertain as there is currently no public road access to this area. The main Sand City launch and "Big Dune" at the far south end of the ridge are unregulated. This is private property, but flying and other public access are not currently prevented.

For the most part, hang gliders launch from Reservation Road in the north, and paragliders launch from Sand City in the south. Paragliders can also fly from Lake Court, a regulated launch a mile or so south of Reservation Road. Lake Court is a P3 site or P2 with local instructor or observer signoff. Some paraglider pilots launch from Reservation Road, but it is very difficult to get from there to the main ridge because the first mile of dunes is quite low.

A Few Updates to Patrick's Article

• Western Hang Gliding, the long-time school and shop at Marina Beach/Reservation Road is no longer there. Hang gliding and paragliding P1/P2 instruction is no longer offered and not allowed at Reservation Road or Lake Court.

• The sign-in process to fly at Lake Court or Reservation Road is still required. The signup sheet is attached to the wooden signboard on the left as you enter the Reservation Road parking lot. Sign in even if you think you might fly north from Sand City and land. You can be fined by the rangers if you don't sign in.

• Stillwell Hall is gone. This former officers' club which marked the "halfway" point on the ridge was torn down a couple of years ago and the prominent outcropping where it stood has also virtually disappeared due to wave action. Locals still say, "Yeah, I made past Stillwell"; visitors say, "Past where?"

• Alas, the beautifully carved "Egyptian Angel" on the Sand City re-launch bowl pictured in Patrick's article did not survive the last two winters. The bowl is still there, though, and it's still the best place of get back up if you don't cross the gap.

Additional Info about Flying Sand City

And here are a few other things I always remind people about:

• Don't land in the water! Okay, we all know that, but the water is always very close, and you will often land on the beach. It's usually better to land crosswind or parallel to the shore rather than to try and turn directly into the wind towards the water to land. Low turns can be dangerous; plus if you misjudge the height of the turn, you can be in the water before you know it.

• Speed bar and hook knife-always have them.

• Watch out for hang glider pilots coming south from Reservation Road-they often fly low and fast and blend into the ridge.

• Communicate with both paraglider and hang glider pilots. Clear turns, of course, and use hand signals, especially if there is any ambiguity about ridge rules or if you feel it's appropriate to deviate from standard ridge rules for some reason. Hang gliders also appreciate a friendly nod and wave to let them know you see them and that everything's cool.

• Don't fly farther than you are prepared to walk. Take water, watch the sun, and always keep your backpack in your harness.

• Land on the beach, not on top, if the wind gets strong. Big ears can be useful.

If you're still interested in visiting Sand City after all this, feel free to contact me (vicb at cruzio.com). There are several pilots who fly down there regularly, and one of us should be able to meet you and provide a site intro. If you are planning to stay in the area overnight, check out one of the "budget chain" motels in Marina, Sand City, or Seaside. These are closer to the site and are less expensive than hotels/motels in Monterey.

For More Info:

• Sand City Skills by Patrick Townsend-Wells, November 2001 Ridge Dancer (and the follow-up in the December 2001 edition.

• www.flyzephyr.com

Kim Galvin's web site

• www.coastalcondors.org

Coastal Condors web site

• Reservation Road Wind Talker (courtesy of Coastal Condors) NOTE: Add approximately 2-3 mph to the speed it gives.

(831) 384-3184

Friday afternoon pilots, wood, drivers, boyfriends, girlfriends, dogs and other hanger-ons began to gather, and aviation was committed off the northside launch in 8-12 NW for some scenic descents to the LZ. A moderate fire and immoderate amount of various recreational stimulants and depressants were consumed. Saturday morning, Wally hucked off students into obvious big lifty conditions - they were flying straight out -no turns- through big pops and some sink to arrive stinking high over the lz and got to practice staying in position while working off altitude. Kim went thermal seeking first, and got up nicely - it's been awhile since she has thermaled, so it was especially nice. Chris -air hog- Jones got stinking high behind launch, and Justin went yonder down the right ridge toward the lake.

The SW started getting shifty about 11:30, but thanks to extra gratuitous drivers, Wally managed to be last off as the wind shifted West, then North. It was blown out in the afternoon, but two carloads went up in the evening to ponder the north launch. It was marginal too strong to flat ass too strong, so everybody, including some disappointed late-comers that missed the good stuff in the morning, trekked down to PARTY!

Al's great Rissoto. Kent brought some of his Pember wine. Libations of all kinds in inordinate quantities were consumed. Alas, my camera ran out of batteries, and the extras were in the radio...But one photo may make it into the next Ridge Dancer.

Sunday morning sprung forward with a leak, light rain around 0500. Quit long enough for a Micha and Al breakfast, consumed standing up around the substantial remanents of the fire from the night before. More light rain bid us adieu.

It was great!

General Members Meeting

The April meeting was conducted by Safety Co-Director Ann Sasaki. Additional officers present were Co-Activity Director Chip Sheppard, Site Director Tom Moock and Pete Norlander; Secretary. A total of 14 members were present. The meeting was held at the Round Table Pizza on Gellert Blvd. in Pacifica.

New Members/Visitors

New member Richard Deppe joined us for the evening. Richard flies a Gin Bolero Plus. He also maintains the Pacifica Wind Conditions Graphs as linked to from SF Tandem's website. Welcome Richard, we look forward to seeing you at future meetings and BAPA events.

Officers' Report

Ann Sasaki called the meeting to order. Ann submitted a report on behalf of Treasurer Racquel Lopes. The balance in the club account stands at $4,000.00. One new member joined in April. 98 members renewed. 62 members were dropped due to not having received the 2005 membership fee. If you forgot to send in you dues, please do so as soon as possible.

Chip Sheppard reported on a paragliding trip to Goat Mountain in the San Benito Mountains by a small group of Bay Area pilots. Goat is located about 2 hours south of the Bay Area. Ben Rogers, a hang glider pilot, pioneered the Goat Mountain site, including permission for pilots to land in the privately owned land that is the main LZ. He has been instrumental in introducing the paragliding community to the site. BAPA wishes to thank Ben for sharing his knowledge. Chip gave notice of the upcoming Jody Lucas fly in at Ed Levin County Park and the Anderson Flat fly in April. A fly in is planned for Potato Hill in May. Check the BAPA web site calendar for details.

Tom Moock talked about the second XC Social League competition. 20 pilots participated.

Old Business

Minutes From Past Meeting - A motion was made to approve the March Minutes. The motion was carried and approved.

New Business

Gever Tulley showed a 45 second video of low altitude, near ground acrobatics. He suggested that a competition be held for same. Ann Sasaki noted that a kiting competition is in the planning stages. Perhaps the low level acrobatics could be included as a facet of the kiting competition. Ann is to discuss with co-activity directors Rich Leggett and Chip Sheppard.

Chip Sheppard motion that we approve $50.00 for the Potato Hill work clearing party and $250.00 for the Jody Lucas fly in. The motion was approved.

Josh Cohn offered to hold a XC clinic. The proposed format would be an evening ground school followed by an in the air clinic at a later date. Dates are to be announced.

Tom Moock offered to conduct a Thermal clinic at a future date. Date to be announced.

Craig Gamma talked about holding an advanced First Aid class. Craig said a decision was made not to include in the curriculum the use of a body board and 'packaging' an injured person for transport. An additional topic of a class on tree self rescue was discussed.

The door prize for the evening was a portable java press. Daniel was the lucky recipient of the door prize.

Entertainment

The entertainment for the evening was provided by Tim Kuenster. Tim showed a video titled 'Over Khumbu'. It is the story of a small group of paraglider pilots that return to Nepal to share the experience of paragliding with the people of Nepal. The scenery is spectacular. The antics of the locals who experience paragliding for the first time, is at times humorous. Tim was able to get a copy because he knows several of the pilots in the movie. Thank you for sharing Tim.