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Getting High
Swerve Magazine
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My eyes shot open at 6:45 am, I think my body knew what I was about to do. I hurriedly got myself ready to leave my apartment as I mentally plotted the fastest route from my place to Charlie's house. I arrived at Charlie's to find him just waking up and groggy, not visibly as excited as I was. We jumped in his truck and were on our way to what would turn out to be the most exciting adventure I've had in recent years. I think Charlie could see through my feeble attempt to pass this off as just another day. I was so amped I couldn't eat breakfast. This was it, man! I was going hang gliding at the Wallaby Ranch. As we pulled up to the
ranch I could see that the activities had already begun. There were several
people ahead of me, so I had to put myself in stall mode. As I watched
each person go up, I could not wait until it was my turn. While we waited
we talked to Boz, one of the ranch hands who works there. He told us how
hang gliding was like three dimensional wind surfing and that it was one
of the most incredible feelings in the world.
After signing a release
form it was finally my turn. I walk over to the larger-than-life glider
and with nervous anticipation I stepped into the harness. One of the resident
experts, Malcolm, handed me my helmet as he began to get into his harness
next to me. Malcolm explained that he wanted me to hold lightly the bar
in front of me and let my arms relax, so that he could freely move the
bar and steer the glider. Malcolm asked if I was nervous and in the cheesiest
manly voice I replied, "Oh, no. Not at all"--LIE!
While all this went on,
the tow plane maneuvered itself into position about 35 yards in front of
us. The combination of the humming tow plane engine and all the friendly
support people turned my nervousness into total excitement.
After a few more minutes
of instructions the signal was given. The increasing roar of the engine
stared to move the tow plane down the grass runway pulling Malcolm and
me behind it. faster and faster...And there I was in prone position strapped
to a hang glider. Man, what a rush! The glider began to leave the ground
and I was grinning ear to ear. Malcolm steered the glider as we rose higher
and higher. Past roof tops, past the tree lines, we circled the ranch getting
higher every second. Past some clouds we climbed to approximately 2,030
feet. I thought I was amped now, but the best was yet to come.
Malcolm reached up and
pulled the cord release and with the exit of the plane, we were on our
own. No more sound of the engine, just the sound of the wind and the smell
of the clouds. That's right the smell of the clouds...Yeah I didn't know
they had a smell either. It was indescribable.
You could almost taste
it. I could see for miles and it was absolutely beautiful. The air was
cool and fresh, it seemed perfect. Then it got better, Malcolm began to
explain to me how to steer one of these machines.
Much like riding a bike
you lean into turns using body weight to control left and right turn. The
speed is determined by the position of the basetube.
To go faster, you pull
the bar towards you an, of course, to slowdown you push it away from you.
So...there I was flying
on my own. I was in total control. Malcolm told me that once you learn
how to read the winds and clouds you can stay up for hours. What a job!
With the wind in my face I maneuvered the glider through the skies, and
I quite literally was on "cloud nine". Malcolm told me to steer toward
this clout that was just below us to the right. As we approached it, my
shadow appeared on the cloud and I would see something quite extraordinary.
With the morning sun behind us, I began to see an incredible circular rainbow
surrounding my shadow. My God! It was the most exciting sight I had ever
seen. Malcolm told me it is called the "pilots halo". It was a truly spiritual
sight. Being in the air and seeing things like the pilots halo sure put
many things in perspective. Soon after that Malcolm took over the controls
and gave me a cool ride. He pushed the bar forward almost stalling, then
pulling it back hard we dove towards the ground. This was better than any
amusement rides I had ever been on. We circled the ranch while getting
closer to the ground. Our speed increased and the earth got larger. As
we came speeding up on the same grass runway, Malcolm pushed the bar forward
slowing down the glider and as gently as we took off we were back on the
ground. What an incredible ride. Malcolm and the guys at Wallaby share
a special bond, the sky. The talent of riding the wind is amazing and I'm
very envious. I thank them for giving me the chance to experience a high
that few get to experience. Thanks guys. I hope to see you again.
MAKE PLANS FOR YOUR OWN THRILL OF A LIFETIME. Just the ranch a call at (863) 424-0070 when you're ready. The Wallaby Ranch is only thirty minutes from of Orlando. It's just south of Disney on I-4 at Exit #23. Head north for 1.5 miles to Dean Still Rd. and go left. Take this road (it turns into a dirt road on the way there) for 1.7 miles until you see a black mailbox on your left and you're there. Remember, these guys are serious Hang Glider pilots, not just weekenders. So don't just go out there to hang out. This is a participant sport. The whole crew is awesome, they will ease any apprehension you may have and make you feel right at home. Go ahead and drop him a line for prices and more information at Wallaby Ranch, 1805 Dean Still Road, Davenport, Florida 33837.
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