World Paragliding Championships 2011 - South Africa

Breaking News...
Ok for some not others.

While in China in 2007 we were asked to host the next WPC but were not capable of getting this off the ground so now we were asked again in 2009 in Czech to host the 2011 event. I am all for this and am committing to getting the ball rolling now to bring the event back to Africa.
After this last worlds a couple of key delegates were asked to be part of a meeting in one of the tents, I was part of this. The question once again was asked for me to get involved and be on the Cima committee, this time I said I would find out from the SA Delegate to put me forward for the PPG position. And then again they really expressed the fact that all the countries would support the bit for South Africa to host this event, so far as to pull any other bid for 2011 if we were prepared to host this.
I have thought hard and long about this and am going all out to get the next worlds to South Africa. So far I have been in contact with our SAHPA representatives and am getting full support from them to go ahead with there support and assistance. I have spoken to the SA CIMA delegate and he is over the moon to have me involved  and that we are going to put in a bit for the worlds. Sahpa are busy with a sponsor and will approach them to assist with funding this event, if we can just land one big sponsor then we will have no trouble in getting additional sponsors for the event. If we play our cards right then the interactive competition can also be on the cards via GPS locators sending tracks back to a main server. This would add a level of Spectator value. But at the same time we are allowed to change the format of the competition to suit, on condition we make the rules and submit them to the CIMA meeting for approval. I have a few ideas for this and will share them later so we can draw spectators to the event too.

We now need a venue, My suggestion in the lowvelt area of Barbeton. This give us a Holiday small town environment and also it gives the visiting pilots a sense that they are in Africa, the game reserve is close and easily assessable to visit on the days before and after the event. Also many very successful PG events are flown in the town.
What we need from the PPG community is support with this event. Marshals and officials will be required in a big way, contacts for marketing this will be required, Sponsors will need to be approached, Media coverage for the event is essential, the bid and rules and tasks formulated, a steering committee organized and lost of smaller comps flown to find the next South African team to take part in this champs.
The fact that this comp is going to be in South Africa and at an altitude that will be easy to fly at for most pilots we need to then get our neighboring countries to also be involved. Namibia, Botswana & Zambia have pilots who are either flying or learning to fly.


Regards
‘Fly Safe’

Tony Gibson
CFI PPG, PPT & PPC
Flying Unlimited
Cell: 0829482001
Tel 012 6536546
Fax 012 6537789
tony@ppg.co.za
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Importer, school and manufacturer

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