Episode 194- The Spring Tune up with Nick Greece and Russ Ogden

Your host getting a little spring action. Photo Matt BeechinorThis week we dive into spring with the current World Champion and long-time Ozone test pilot Russ Ogden and multiple US National Champion Nick Greece. Year after year we see accidents in free flight spike in spring. Spicy conditions, rusty skills, new unfamiliar gear, heightened stoke, another year behind us, lack of confidence… we explore the many things that might have an impact on why we see the spike and what you can do to make sure you’re not in the data set. Topics include:* Spring conditions in general- sharp, cold, boisterous, quick to change…forecasting? * How to “ease back in”. SIV? * New gear / wing choice. In Spring or after you’re tuned up? What about the new EN C 2-Liners? Are they a game changer or should people still treat them with a ton of respect? * Getting older each year- what should we be looking out for? Dexterity, reaction time, fragility…how to assess where we are NOW? * Getting in the right mindset- how to do it after a long break? How to know what our current “you” is? * Equipment – what should we review/ have in our kit? First aid, inReach, telegram groups, contacts… * Dude, this is brutal and I want to land- but it’s midday! * Taking on launches or landings that are demanding after a lay off for the winter- the need to tune up on the training hill or…? * The value of kiting practice * Hooking in- making sure you are connected to glider and leg straps are all buckled (ie the “4 points”) * Suitable conditions:* blow back, rotor, fronts, etc.  * Crowded launch/landing conditions/peer pressure * Flying someplace new without getting an introduction with the local “tribal knowledge” * Being a savage on launch * Physical condition – are you ready to fly?* hydration, nutrition, blood sugar, alcohol, drugs, physical fitness * Reserve* repack, rigging, accidental deployments, how to throw * Factors that lead to mistakes* rushing, peer pressure to fly, dehydration, distractions, interruptions during setup routineWe also take a look at what the statistics tell us (huge thanks to Chris Santacroce for compiling the data each year!) and the specific recommendations that come out of these reports. Here’s a nice way to get tuned up this year, Nick Greece is guiding some really cool flying and culinary trips with renowned chef and master pilot Estefano Salgado. You can find their offerings at www.paraglidingguides.com.