Wow, I really appreciate all the comments on thermalling. It is
amazing how much thought and calculations go into this sport although
not all agree on the solution. Reminds me of all the advice I got on
take-off. It was all good but also different.

It would seem logical if you are in a close circle with another glider
that reducing the bank angle is the safer technique. That said if you
are not in danger of conflict then increasing the bank angle seems to
follow what I was taught and what I have read.

The last flight of this year I tried water and that brought out a lot
of flaws in my termalling technique. Controlling speed and flying
through thermals were a problem. It was like learning all over again,
although when I looked at the trace after the flight I was impressed
with my average speed. I think using smoother and less abrupt changes
is something I need to work on and some of the techniques mentioned
here seem to enforce that.