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“Addictions can be very, very bad but addiction itself is not bad.
It’s a case of what you’re addicted to.
You better live each day like it’s your last, ‘cos one day you’re going to be right”.
Ray Charles.
Link tip a friend
Scene: 2005
Medium: Email
Author and Topic: Dice and a request.
“Guys, I want to cut out an image a certain creature from yachting tape and the stick it on my performance paraglider. What do you think?”
Answer and Question: “You need anything? Tape, scissors, CAD programme, technical support from Nasa and Bill Gates?”
Answer: “No”.
So it began ....
The purity of this man’s attitude towards what he does is special. People, places, excitement … this guy personifies this lifestyle, it’s great to know you Dice.
Below is from Feb 2008 …
“Hi guys, how’s going?
I'm back in Wellington for now. The time down in the South Island just flew, never enough time to do what I want to do when I'm out there... I just want more and more.
Here are some pics from the trip and I'm excited to tell you that I was lucky enough to do some flying in the Mt. Cook region, flying in my home town (almost) Wanaka with all my flying and climbing mates, as well as scoring a couple of new flying sites in the Marlborough area. Not bad for a 10 day trip!
There's a really good scene in Wanaka where all the pilots are coming together and sharing their knowledge and experiences. I've met some wonderful people on this trip.
Quite changeable and strong conditions but fairly good weather provided us some great opportunity to fly in the comp. Some of the pilots are really getting into acro flying and speed flying as well as para-mountaineering. Andre started talking about a trip together, one trip all around New Zealand exploring new areas and pushing the envelopes of the sport.
The possibility for new sites and pushing the limits in this sport is just endless. And the great thing about it is that you can combine other sports like climbing and kitesurfing.
This is just amazing! I love the every second of it.
I plan to head down to the Darrans (Milford Sound - Mt.Tutuko region) for climbing this Feb. Probably for 3-4 days but it should be a good wee trip.
Regards from NZ …. Diceman”.
“Hi guys, how’re you doing?
Well, as I mentioned, the trip to Nelson wasn't so great weather wise but I travelled up north for the Easter break to meet up with some pilots and do some free flying, as I heard there was a wee comp thing happening (which I only found out 2 days before I went).
- Dice take-off
What a place!!! I'm so glad I went. This was my first time flying there and I was lucky enough to fly 4 days in the raw! It was awesome!! The weather was perfect and the conditions for thermal flying were excellent!! And I met some lovely people!!
I spent 2 days in Waiotapu just north of Taupo and 2 pilots I met there invited me to go to Hawkes Bay to do some flying, so I followed them to their local flying sites. It was 4 days of full-on flying!!
- Glider cam.
I flew at 4 new sites and 2-5 hrs a day in the air. Climbing up to 6000ft at 8m per/sec!! Rocketing up into the sky!!! CHOICE!!! And lots of acro flying of course!!! (I'm bit rusty though...)
I've got some pics and a bit of footage of me flying so I'll put it together and send it to you. Man I LOVE flying! I am now well fed... I wonder what my next meal would be? Well, till next time... cheers Diceman”.
From August 2008 .... “Hi guys, sorry for not contacting you in a while.
I had a really busy 3 months at work but now is a bit quiet so thought I should catch up. Just had a week off and spent time in the hills feeding it big time.
I've been feeding it on the snow this winter, ski touring on a volcanic mountain, Mt.Ruapehu, exploring new areas and flying off mountains. Flying above the snow capped mountains is something I cannot describe in words, it's just amazing!!
And I'm taking up a new sport "Speed Flying" too; with the skills I have in paragliding I think speed flying would be an excellent style of flying for me. It's fast and exciting. It's a new sport that just came out a couple of years ago and am keen to try out something new; I especially like the idea of flying and skiing combination.
Check this out here ……..
I've just ordered a speed wing, so I should get it sometime this week. I'm planning to go up to the snow the following weekend to test it out. This is very exciting. Hopefully, get to do some more ice climbing as well.
Got to go for now, hear from you soon, take care, Diceman”.
- Me on the East Face of Mt Cook.
August 2009: Taking speedriding further .......
“Hi guys, how are you doing?
Just had an awesome trip up at the mountain, 3 days of full on speedriding and free skiing. Remember I was telling you about getting a small speed wing? Well, here it is!!! Check out the little vid!
It was so cool as some others came to join from Auckland. There were about 5 of us taking over the mountain on speedgliders!! This is very new for most of skiers/boarders on the mountain and they always ask what it is. Hope you like the vid!!
This link is the latest vid of me climbing (on the wall I built in my own garage) and paragliding in NZ & Oz:
PS- I'm heading off to Nepal for a few weeks in Nov to practice acro paragliding and fly with some of the best pilots in the world. Should get some great footage there. Best from me ..... Diceman!"
