Gliding Coaches meeting

The plan was to take a Jabiru and fly to Bacchus Marsh for the meeting. After a week of beautiful weather though Saturday turned out to be the changing day with a cold front moving through. We could have made it down there by the air but there was no way to get back. Strong gusty winds preceding the actual front, low clouds and constant rainfall with very poor visibility. The decision was made in the morning - we go by car. 

It took us almost 3.5 hours to get there (breakfast stop at Stawell Mcdonald's included). 

The airfield has two crossing runways and is located very close to Melbourne suffering from all kinds of airspace restrictions. It doesn't stop the 3 (three!) gliding clubs from operating at the field. They all share a common very well equipped clubhouse and all the facilities. People keep asking themselves - why don't they join together? Some things would be easier then but there have to be reasons not to do so. It seems to be working well the way it is now.

they all have different names

The meeting we were attending was the Victorian Gliding Coaches meeting. We were the two newcomers to the group and felt very welcome. We discussed the dates for the upcoming season state events and established organizers. There is gonna be very many comps and coaching events next season and everyone can find something for themselves starting from the XC beginner level to an advanced competition training. 

The coaches from different clubs presented the coaching activities they have been performing in the last season as well as plans for the next one. They are all very dedicated and keen to promote cross country flying all around Victoria. Like all over the world clubs are suffering from lack of new young enthusiasts. There is hope and movement in the right direction to see though. 

It looks to me that kids nowadays have way to many options of leisure time activities and soaring is just one of them. A very demanding one too ... and not a "show-off" kind of activity ...

in front of the clubhouse

We had a nice lunch, discussed for couple more hours after that and hit the road with one scheduled stop in Ballarat. There is a big bottle shop that has Zywiec Beer. With two boxes of Zywiec in the trunk we were good to go back and enjoy the chilled out Saturday evening ... Cheers!