isle of wight
hang gliding &
paragliding club

The Isle of Wight club has been invited to host the UK Nationals Paragliding Precision Championships 2004.

Here are the key details. We will add more info as we go along, so keep an eye on this page...

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Isle of Wight gets busy in the Summer, so please make your arrangements as soon as you can. Particularly, you should book your travel well ahead of time, if you are bringing a vehicle, because the ferries get full to capacity.  The same goes for accommodation too, so get in quick.

WHEN:  AUGUST 21/22, 2004, with early registration starting on Friday evening.

WHERE: Registration and 'Base Camp' will be at Atherfield Bay Holiday Centre. Ref: SZ 445 799
            Click on this link to get directions.

ACCOMMODATION: Atherfield Bay offers a wide range of accommodation options, from Tents to 1/2 Board at very reasonable prices.  The owners are very friendly towards paragliding, so we really encourage you to book in to the site and support them.  The site is very child friendly too, and there is an outdoor pool.  Of course, the biggest 'plus' is that you will be staying right on the clifftop, so you can roll out of your tent, or chalet and step straight into the air!!!

Prices are as follows, per person per night:

Bed & Breakfast   £22 Standard  £25 Upgraded
Half Board          £34 Standard  £38 Upgraded
                        (Children under 14 half price)

Camping (Tent)   £5 adult £3 child

Caravans/Motorhomes etc      £18 (up to 4 people) includes hook-up. £4 per extra adult. £3 per extra child

There is a cafe on-site and Breakfast is available to non-B&B guests at extra cost.

FOR CONTACT AND BOOKING INFORMATION VISIT THE ATHERFIELD BAY WEBSITE AND MENTION THAT YOU ARE WITH THE PARAGLIDING COMPETITION. Click on their logo...

The holiday camp is situated right on top of the cliffs, and there is excellent flying to be had along the southwest coastline (see the picture below for a taster). The take-off is managed by Butterfly Paragliding, who have kindly offered flying to visiting pilots - please visit their website. Below the cliffs is a beautiful sandy beach, so you can go for a swim, or just sunbathe when you bottom land.  Please check the rules for this site. We will be issuing a set of rules to each competitor at registration - For those not familiar with coastal flying, landing in the surf is not recommended at all, as it usually leads to death - We will be checking the tide on the day, and if there is no beach, then NO FLYING, sorry. Local tide tables suggest high tide for the middle part of the day (CLICK HERE).  Flying the coast with a cut-away knife is a MUST!, so don't forget yours!!!

HOW TO GET THERE: Local ferry company, Red Funnel, have kindly offered reduced rates for competitors. If you arrive on the Friday and leave on Sunday, the cost will be £40 for a car and up to 4 people. That's just £10 per person!! (this compares very very well with normal prices), so we are very grateful to Red Funnel.  To get the special rate Click on the Red Funnel logo below. Book early!!!

 

COMP DETAILS: tbc. FAI Cat 2. Hill launch. We may do top landing, if conditions allow.

ENTERTAINMENT: Atherfield has bar and restaurant facilities, so we have arranged nosh (Barbeque, if good weather) for the Saturday evening as well as a local rock band to play for us.  If the weather is good, then you can go fly the cliffs, or even swim in the sea!!!

HOW TO ENTER: Entry fee is £30. That gets you into the comp., an evening meal on Saturday night as well as
                       entertainment. (Please note that there was an error in Skywings - entry fee is reduced from £35, but
                       you don't get free camping or lunches - Sorry).  Click HERE for an entry form (.pdf file)

Any questions, contact Brett Janaway at 01495 200864, email info@air-systems.net, or email Geoff Underwood.

The view along the beautiful SW coast of the Isle of Wight looking West
(Atherfield is just beyond the first headland)

THIS COULD BE YOU IN AUGUST !!!