The natural function of the wing is to soar upwards and carry that which is heavy up to the place where dwells the race of gods. More than any other thing that pertains to the body it partakes of the nature of the divine. - Plato, 'Phaedrus.'
The South West Wales Soaring Club (SWWSC) is based in the Swansea area and services an area extending from Carmarthen in the west as far east as Brecon and north to Ammanford. Originally a hang gliding club, the passing of the years have seen great changes in this respect. Sadly, hang gliders are a rarity on most of our sites now, and without a school in the area turning out fresh talent, the trend is not likely to reverse in the foreseeable future.We are a friendly, informal bunch of people, welcoming of visitors who respect our sites, and always looking for new members to join our club. The club has around 60 flying members of which around half are local. The remaining pilots originate mainly from SE Wales and England. Other visiting pilots come to our sites as a result of reciprocal agreements with Welsh Federation clubs or simply turn up to fly one of our open sites. (Having first acquired and read the site rules.)
Due to the somewhat scattered nature our membership, our sites are seldom crowded. On spring and summer weekends with perfect flying conditions, the number of pilots on our hills often numbers less than a dozen! Having said this, our club is thriving and we hold an informal meeting at the Castle Inn, Pontlliw, on the first Thursday of every month. In addition there are regular committee meetings, lectures, parachute re-packs and social functions. A number of our hills are very large and provide for excellent soaring and XC flights. For the last few years we have done well in the Airwave challenge, and we have pilots who fly in other competitions as well as a sprinkling of Nationals pilots. During summer months, resident school www.flywestwales.co.uk run by Professional Pilot and Chief Flying Instructor Rob Mansley will be seen frequenting our sites offering help and advice as well as from many club coaches or instructors who number amongst our members.
If you are not currently a member of our club but would like the opportunity to fly our sites, please get in touch via one of the methods provided by this web site so that we might provide all the help and information you need.
Hi Guys... it's that time again.... a week on thursday the 4th of Feb.... crikey... all ready! is the club meeting... we shall likely be holding it down the Pontadawe Inn again weather permitting... but guys anyone with a suggestion of a different venue you would like us to try is not a problem.... is there anything you guys would like our coaches to discuss about... just ask, so they can prepare, or anything you would like to bring up while there, is all good... keep an eye on this post......
20:26:47 by Nick Roberts | Views: 228 | Comments: 0
Congratulations to Steve Parsons on winning the 2009 SWWSC XC league with an impressive total of 490.8km from his six longest flights which also placed him 11th in the National XC League. Steve's longest flight was a 131.7km epic from Corndon Hill with Dave Birch and Kai Coleman in September.
Elsewhere, Andy Hutchins is again the winner of the longest individual flight in the EN B / DHV1/2 category with a memorable 26.5km flight from Abernant back in May - well done!
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