Parowan Contest

Hmmm, the kids got energized after the barbeque, so it probably wasn't a
retrieve office issue as many of the peacemakers are suggesting. No, sad to
say, this sport is chock full of grumpy old white men, who open their
anxiety closets once, twice, or three times each year at soaring contests.
Happily, most are polite geezers and will yield the field to the young and
exuberant rather than make a scene. But, alas, some are simply without
grace.

Now that I think of it, they're not unlike the kids, too tied up in their
own little swirl of emotions to think much about their actions.
Unfortunately, their parents aren't usually in attendance to check them
before they run amuck, and most lack the charm of innocence.

But what's this... "individuals..." in the plural? A chorus sings out "Keep
those kids quiet!"

Your wife is right to stay away, but she doesn't know the half of it. That
last thing you want is to have your kids witness a 60-year-old self-made,
self-important, 21st Century renaissance man in the throes of a flight-line
tantrum because his crew did something wrong with/to/on his $130K glider.

Some contest sites are more kid friendly than others. Some contest officials
and contestants more skilled at managing a mob of energetic children. Sounds
like you happened on the lower left quadrant that particular evening in
Parowan.

Opossum Chef





"JMR" wrote in message
ups.com...
I flew two days with Karl Streidick in the back of his Duo Discus.
Simply put, it was nothing short of amazing. Funny thing, there was no
magic pixie dust, or voodoo magic, just simple thermal efficiency and
energy management. Oh yeah, he doesn't use a PDA or any of that fancy
software to get himself around the course. It's, get off tow, climb
until start gate is open, start, point nose in direction of first
point and GO!! Thermals were great, even though it was blue skies both
days for us, and we routinely saw 17k while out on course. Truely an
amazing and informative experience. Too bad my experience was marred
by some very rude contest pilots.
I had my family( wife + 3 young kids) join me on this trip so that I
could show my wife that contest flying could be a family event. The
dinner after the practice day my family joined me and then took the
kids away for the pilots meeting. I thought that was very courteous.
The next day, once again the family joined me for the BBQ. As the
eating began to wind down my kids, along with a couple of other kids,
had some energy to burn and were playing around in the hangar. Yes,
they may have been playing a little loud, but nothing ridiculous.
Unfortunately, some individuals decided to yell "keep those kids
quiet!" Whether or not they were joking, I don't care. My wife was so
embarrased she was ****ed at me for days for bringing her and the
kids. People, guys like me and our families are the future of this
sport, if you can't put up with a little youthful banter, SHUT UP and
go somewhere else. Otherwise, take it up with me personally!!!
Justin Rizor
way into the future contest racer--- with the kids, not sure about the
wife :0)