[magentabluesky]

I firmly believe the Gliding-Soaring Clubs/Associations are the back bone of the Sport of Hang Gliding.

It is the members and their participation in those Clubs/Associations that keep the sport strong and make the sport grow.

What Gliding-Soaring Clubs/Associations have you supported in your lifetime as a dues paying member and participant.

Here is my list:

Hang Gliding
Arizona Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association (AZHPA)
Crestline Soaring Society (CSS)
Cross-County Pilots Association (Owens Valley-Rick Masters) (X-CPA)
Mother Lode Sky Riders (MLSR)
San Luis Obispo Soaring Association (SLOSA)
United States Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association (USHPA)

Sailplane/Glider
Central California Soaring Club (CCSC)
Experimental Soaring Association (ESA)
Soaring Society of America (SSA)
The Wing Is The Thing (Twitt)
Vintage Sailplane Association (VSA)

While each Club/Association had/have their particular focus, I have to say the small tight group at the Mother Lode Sky Riders (MLSR) stands out. I would run into them all over the place. They would have outings to Cuyama Valley, the Owens Valley, and at their home base McClure. Of course they had the John the Baptist of Hang Gliding – Ken Muscio – The Captain. The Mother Loders looked after each other. There was mentorship. I don’t know if they ever had an official USHPA/USHGA instructor, but they had Official Observers. If Hang Gliding is to grow, I would say the Mother Lode Sky Riders (MLSR) is the franchise model. Where is the John the Baptist of Hang Gliding?

The bigger question for the future is what Gliding-Soaring Clubs/Associations are you currently supporting and participating?

P.S. I have not sent the U.S. Hawks any money or dues. Maybe I should.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Great topic!!!

Clubs are the back bone of hang gliding. I've been a member of:

• Sylmar Hang Gliding Association
• Crestline Soaring Society
• San Diego Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association
• Soboba Soaring Association
• Utah Hang Gliding and/or Paragliding Association
• Fellow Feathers at Fort Funston
• Tennessee Tree Toppers (a really really great club)
• Rio Grande Soaring Association
• Torrey Hawks
• Tooele Hawks
• Southwest Texas Hang Gliders
• Lakeview Hawks
• Mo Hawks
• Friends of Dockweiler
• SoCenNY Hang Glider Pilots

I've probably joined a few others that I don't remember. I generally join a club to show support even if I'm only flying there once and it would be cheaper to pay a day use fee.

Clubs truly are the backbone of hang gliding, and that's why we treat them as first class citizens here at the US Hawks. Every club gets its own section of the forum where they make the rules and the US Hawks honors their decisions.