Results of Kenya Paragliding Open 2024
The first paragliding competition in Kenya finished well.
Despite the cloudy and rainy weather there were 6 valid tasks which allowed to determine the best pilots.
Logically, the best was Tilen Ceglar from Slovenia, currently ranked N3 in the world, followed by the best Italian pilot – Michele Boschi. The third is Macquet Michel from France.
Official results: https://civlcomps.org/event/kenya-paragliding-open-2024/results
The rains infested the sky with white pioneer butterflies. Hundreds and thousands were migrating against the light wind at takeoff but you can see them everywhere, even at cloudbase, marking the thermals.
Another beautiful moment was reaching the turnpoint at Longonot volcano crater or the landing near Suswa volcano watched by antelopes and curious massai.
Or the hundreds of exalted kids surrounding the last day goal at Naivasha.
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Kenya Open 2024 opened a new page of paragliding in Kenya. It provided plenty of useful information and lessons:
REGISTRATION:
– well in advance, announced in CIVL website, pg forum, social media, whatsup groups. Probably max 80 pilots, 6 days, 20-25 Jan 2025.
– entry fee payment in advance, so less uncertainty for the budget
– one type of entry fee – all inclusive – transport, retrieve, launch packet (vegi or beef samosa, banana), take off fees, PAK fee, etc.
TAKE OFF:
– clearing, leveling and expanding N and S take offs, developing their W spurs, adding opportunity in both for W winds
– creating spaces for wing preparation
– marking takeoff and preparing zones
– current briefing area is fine
– dustbins on N and S takeoff
– toilet at N takeoff
– water for filling bottles at takeoff
– helpers, 2 per glider, with electric jackets
– 2-3 wind dummies
TRANSPORT AND RETRIEVE
– no big bus, but multiple vans for 6-7 pilots with gliders each
– whatsup retrieve group for report back and live sharing for easier collection
RESCUE
– ambulance on standby
– early collection of insurance details
COMMUNICATION
– radio on safety frequency 144-146 Mhz, another radio at MD on the general avation frequency
– whastup official group for announcements
– general group
– retrieve group for report back and retrieve
MEET DIRECTOR
– needs a deputy, one stays longer on take off to observe conditions, the other goes toward the landing to observe conditions, check landing, put windsock and observe landings. The road from take off is slow and take times and often it’s impossible for MD to reach landing in time and still be observant on conditions
LOCALS
– locals at take off can earn extra money as helpers or porters
– encourage use of motorbikes, especially when landing away from roads
ACCOMMODATION AND HQ
– Heritage Resort is very suitable, safe and on good location, cheaper accomodation available nearby
TIMINGS
– 8:30 transport to take off
– 10:30 briefing at take off
– 11-12 start of take off window
– 13-14 end of take off window
– 12-13 start of speed section
– 17 – end of flying
AIRSPACE
– Adding to current airspace a corridor to Longonot and Suswa volcanoes; Eburru and Narok
WEATHER
– 2024 was the wettest so far and the whole season seems to be like this. Probably connected with El Nino. Watch for vast and months-lasting rainy zone in northern Indian ocean (IOD). There are no fronts at the Equator – just more or less stable weather. The high terrain amplifies instability. NE of take offs generates rain and Cb which expands westwards. Naivasha lake stays mostly stable.
– flushing of E winds south of take off in the afternoon. This can be amplified by cloud dissipation, rain and gust fronts. The flush is less pronounced N of Naivasha due to the protection of Aberdere mountains.
– The flush of E winds creates secondary zone of instability in the afternoon on the other side of Rift Valley
– wind on take off comes from N in the morning and then turns from W and S at noon. The N wind is part of the general catabatic flow from Naivasha toward lower Rift Valley terrain toward Suswa. The strength and duration of N wind depends on how much cold air comes from the highlands and Abardere. The N can be amplified by a strong convergence line over Kijabe and can prevail over Naivasha lake breeze.
– the other side of general NE flow split by Abardere and Mt Kenya comes from Nakuru side of Rift Valley and reaches Gilgil, creating afternoon convergence there.
– in rainy weather clouds may be around take off (2600 m asl) before noon but may rise to 3200-3500 late at the day.
– the addition of equatorial sun energy before noon greatly transforms the BL and can miraculously turn and grey cloudy day into a sky full of nice cumulus clouds. The heat dissolving of early isolated clouds delays the big cloud development, giving enough time for a task (up to 3 pm).
The crucial questions is which dates to be chosen for future competitions. Too early might be rainy. Too late might be windy. The strong easterly winds falling down from the higher terrain flush the take off in the afternoon and are typical for January-March dry season.
Australian Bureau of Meteorology specializes of El Nino forecasts and trends can be seen 4-5 months in advance. This means that competition dates should be decided about November moving it to mid January if it seems drier or to beginning of February if it seems wetter.
The Indian Ocean Dipole event causes this vast a zone of instability in northern Indian Ocean which lasts long enough to be seen and taken into account. Watch for above-normal rains and floods in Somalia, southeastern Ethiopia and east Kenya in November.