VIPs Soar To New Heights
Click for big version
Double the fun. Olympic gold medalist Caroline Evers-Swindell and district mayor Hugh Vercoe experience the excitement
of a double-tow at the Piako Gliding Club’s Big Day Up- Photo credit: Las Abeyewardene
Olympic rowing gold medalist Caroline Evers-Swindell and District Mayor Hugh Vercoe enjoyed a day soaring above the
Waikato courtesy of the Piako Gliding Club as part of the annual open day called The Big Day Up. In an added twist, both
of the club’s two-seat training gliders were launched at the same time behind the club’s powerful tow plane in an
impressive “double-tow”.
In addition to the double tow, visitors to the club were treated to demonstrations of glider aerobatics and high speed
competition finishes; and had the opportunity to meet club members, sit in a glider, and for the more adventurous to
take a flight in a glider themselves.
Click for big version
Each year the Piako Gliding Club trains 10-15 new glider pilots with its panel of highly qualified volunteer
instructors. The next Learn To Fly course starts 24 March. More information about gliding, and learning to glide, can be
found at www.glidingmatamata.co.nz
ENDS