Gliders add riot of colour to our sky
The pilots took to the skies as part of the build-up to the annual paragliding championships.
Since as early as the afternoon of Friday July 24 , the skies above Barberton were once again occupied by brightly coloured paragliders.
The air raid was part of the build-up to the annual paragliding championships which commenced on Sunday. This year there were 74 entries, many of them international pilots. The competition will continue throughout the week with the prize-giving taking place on Saturday afternoon at Jathira.
Andrea Botha from Barberton Odyssey discouraged people from making big fires for the duration of the competition as these would obstruct the view and put the pilots’ lives in danger.
She also requested that Barbertonians be on the lookout for paragliders as they do not always have a choice about where they land. “Should you pick up a pilot, please report their name and number at once otherwise we would have sent out recovery vehicles for nothing. I can be contacted on
079-180-1488,” said Botha.
Astrid Christianson from Barberton Tourism conveyed a big thank you to Westvaal Barberton for lending a helping hand with recovery vehicles. She also thanked all the locals as well as media for their involvement and willingness to promote this event.
Botha and Christianson invited the townspeople to show their support by visiting the golf club.
For any information on the competition, contact Botha on 079-180-1488 or Christianson on 082-959-6670.
