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BC Hang
Gliding Reunion – Sicamous BC – Sept
23 – 24, 2011
The way it started
| Sitting in Dano’s shop a year or
so ago with Deanna, Haver and I, Dano pulled out all
his old photo albums and an idea was born. A few conversations
in the coming months and the idea took shape to hold
a much needed Reunion for the Hang Gliding community.
A lot of friends have drifted away and the photo records
these brave and more likely crazy pilots have in their
possession would be lost forever. |
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Since the idea took shape, we lost Dano
a charismatic man, our best friend and family member.
It now became more important than ever to follow through
on the idea and add a Memorial side to the event. The
call when out and boy did it get answered. |
Deanna Boyes, in traditional style took
a major role as the local contact, relentlessly enlisting
as many people as she could get in touch with to help.
The website was set up, the first batch of photos were
found in the hands of the Sicamous Air Force club photographer
from the 80’s. Joyce Detwiller, who is now living
in Calgary, These provided a walk down memory lane.
These shots were posted on the site, the word went
out and some very old friends came out of the woodwork.
Decisions were made to repair the ramp in Sicamous for this event, to leave a
memorial to lost and loved ones. What started out as a repair turned into a full
on rebuild and the team that stepped up to the task I would like to thank with
all my heart for a job well done. Dee’s Traffic Control donated the lumber
and Larry Croome the truck, Argo the trailer and behold it was done. |
Our sincerest thanks to the following
people for their effort and help on the ramp rebuild
project:
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Larry Croome |
Deanna L'Henaff (Boyes) |
Tim Staal |
Rick Carr |
Dennis Turner |
Dean Gelsinger |
Ross Glessing |
Emil Segeren |
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Attendees (retired pilots)
- David Hays (Freep)
- Mylo Hopkins
- Mike Irwin and Jan
- John Huddart
- Jack and Bev Graham
- Martin Dennis
- Jack Shaule
- Hans Verstraten (Haver; Dr. Downdraft)
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Cambie Hall was also enlisted to hold the
event and she did so with flair and memories. Many fund
raisers in the 80’s were done within her walls
that allowed the Hang Gliding Events to take place in
the first place, so it was fitting we sat in these comfortable
surroundings to remember the history that brought us
to this point. Randy Rauck rocked the halls again as
he did with the Kettle River Band so many years before.
Great food, provided by the enchanting Colleen and her
crew of Liz and Brian, cold Tequila toasts and great
times were the order of the evening. |
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The Flight Day
The launch was ready, fresh and brand new. We all checked out the landing area
at the beach, with tons of approach room and enough swamp to provide laughs
for the unfortunate that missed the sand. Haver made sure the landing were
recorded and Rick Hunt made sure everyone hooked in and remembered how to
set up their gliders. We all kicked in a few bucks to make the landing interesting,
winner take all and allowed for the older guys to drop aluminum, as long
as nothing got bent or broken, all was good.
Larry Croome, 1979 Canadian National Champ flew for the first time in 25 years.
Randy Rauck from the Freedom Flight Park in Lumby provided some new test flight
equipment and the stage was set. Light winds on launch, prevailing west in
the landing area made for a typical Sicamous day. Sunshine and warm weather
was a very welcome day for the flight. The great people at Sicamous Sands Resort
allowed us to break down on the grass.
The 2011 Reunion Flyin winners were Randy
Rauck from Lumby, who won the spot landing trophy and a whopping
$50 with his 2 foot landing and Dale Arsenault taking second
with his 6 footer.
All in all the weekend worked out perfect, the idea of
getting old pilots and friends back together was accomplished,
the goal of refurbishing the ramp in
Sicamous for future use by pilots and paragliders was accomplished, the purpose
of remembering our lost friends and family has touched us all and will forever
live within us all.
They would all be proud and they will always be in our hearts
Brian Dodd
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