Nuggets

From the screen of our Roving Web Reporter Cragin Shelton (pictured here when he is not hounding the web for us), come these useful or entertaining nuggets of information (polished by ellis):

From our USHGA President, David Glover

Dear Friends,

I have resigned as president of the USHGA. There are many members that have been extremely supportive of me over the last year and half. I believe there is a new attitude, openness and energy in the organization.

Jayne DePanfilis, my girlfriend, has taken a permanent position with the USHGA as CEO (previously known as executive director). The other 3 members of the USHGA executive committee made a unanimous decision and hired her after she completed a three month interim position in the USHGA office in Colorado Springs. She is great for the organization. Jayne is a hang glider pilot with an MBA and has worked at Kitty Hawk Kites and Lookout Mountain. Of course I am biased, but ask the pilots, employees, vendors, volunteers that are working with Jayne – you will hear wonderful things.

I do not want any perception or cloud of conflict of interest hanging over the association. You will hear about the many contributions she is making to the smooth running of the association. Jim Zeiset has been elected by the board of directors to complete the term of president until the fall meeting. I will soon be permanently moving out of my region to Colorado Springs to be with Jayne.

David Glover
david@davidglover.com
(352) 258-4840



Paragliding across America (ala Greg DeWolf)

Will Gadd, Jim Grossman and Team Paraglide America are flying across the U.S. from May 1 to July 1 to raise money for the Peregrine Fund.

Will Gadd is the "lead bird;" he will be joined by friends and local pilots for portions of the trip. Will Gadd has set world records for distance paragliding (179 miles in one flight) and he also won the Ice Climbing World Cup '00. He is a tandem-rated United States Paragliding Instructor. He's also a world class ice climber, kayaker, rock climber and throws in some other sports such as skiing, in-line skating, mountain biking etc.

Jim Grossman will join the team for much of the flight, in addition to taking most of the photos that will be posted on this site. Jim is a top US competition pilot, tandem paragliding instructor and environmentally progressive developer. He hopes to raise awareness of the dangers urban sprawl presents to our quality of life In addition to paragliding, he is also a world class kayaker, snowboarder, skiier and surfer. Other interests include mountain biking, chess, trail running, yoga, etc.

Team Paraglide America also includes:
Chris Santacroce is one of the most experienced cross-country and aerobatic pilots in the world.

Kim Csizmazia flies with Will when conditions permit and is in charge of on-road logistics and organization. Kim is also writer, photographer and world-champion climber.

Eric Greene is the chase Crew Chief and bird expert

Gary Osoba serves as the weather and flight strategist for the team and is President of the Foundation for the Advancement of Micrometeorological Soaring

Othar Lawrence organises and competes in aerobatic paragliding events around the world. He also HANG GLIDES!

Check out their website for up to date information on their progress, daily photos and daily logs: http://www.paraglideamerica.com/