The sport of hang gliding in Oregon owes much of its presence due to
the excellent winds and dunes of Cape Kiwanda at Pacific City, Oregon.
During the summer, instructors are often seen teaching children and
seniors on the low dunes in front the Pelican Pub and
Inn at Cape Kiwanda. More usually, the students are practicing on the north side
of the Cape - just a short hike from the Pelican Pub and Inn at Cape
Kiwanda on the south side. In the spring and summer, when the winds
turn northwest, the Oregon Hang Gliding School, begins to train
students wishing to attain certification in the sport and provide
first time experiences for the curious.
Pacific City, Oregon and Cape Kiwanda has been central to
development of the sport of hang gliding in Oregon. The consistent
winds and smooth winds have made it a meca for enthusiasts for nearly
40 years. In the pioneering years, there would often be over 50
gliders sharing the dune at any one time. In those simpler times, less
regulation, less sophisticated instruction, the casual atmosphere and
novelty of the sport, brought out the overly ambitious. The training,
equipment and culture has all matured significantly since then. It is
now safer then most coastal adventure sports. To commemorate these
beginnings, the Kiwanda Single Surface Hang Gliding Festival occurs
annually in June. Fun spot landing contests and dollars-on-a-pole
grabs makes for interesting entertainment.
A common misconception is that a first hang gliding experience means
launching off a steep high cliff. In fact, hang gliding is learned
much like sking. One starts on flat beach progressing to gentle and
low bunny dunes. This allows the student to gradually
rise a couple feet and eventually several feet above the ground, each
experience always feeling comfortable, attainable and safe. Very fit
instructors run along aside the student pilots providing encouragement
and corrections. Who is qualified to try this? Anyone that can move
your own body weight in a sprint several times is able to take
introductory lesson.
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