Submitted
The ninth El Nido para-glider fly-in took place in mid-August in the skies over Birch Island.
A total of 22 pilots - three hang-gliders and 19 para-gliders - from the North Thompson, Lower Mainland, Okanagan and the Kamloops area took part in the two-day fun event.
The smoky conditions made for a “mystic” feel when in the air, reported Willy Rens, one of the organizers. The smoke meant the thermals were not so strong, resulting in smoother flying conditions but not so much support for longer rides.
A spot-landing contest took place with nine pilots hitting the approximately four meter target.
Locals Terrance Langwood and Ray Oxenham took tandem para-gliding flights and got to see their neighborhoods from the sky.
“El Nido” means “the Nest,” as in the nest of the condor.
