A Brief History of Our Flying Club

The South Western Virginia Hang Gliding Association began in the early seventies as The Roanoke Valley Hang Gliding Association under the guidance of local hang gliding guru William Wayne (W.W.) Richard's. W.W. was a critical person in the development of hang gliding in the area being a U.S.H.G.A. rated instructor, observer and advanced pilot. W.W. also was a dealer and had a back yard repair shop. Gone are the days when you could trash a down tube or keel and run over to W.W.'s and he would pull out a blank tube and cut and drill and usually have you back in the air in a day or two and often have you back flying the same day !

The club changed its name as members came and went it's member ship was no longer primarily of Roanoker's but from the entire region covering Lynchburg to Blacksburg and to the infamous Skywacker capital of old, Bland Virginia.

Then on October 29th. 1999, the Southwest Va. Hang Gliding Association held a meeting and officially adopted the area paragliding comminity (Sometimes referred to as the Buzzards) in to the nest. Now becoming The Southwest Virginia Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association or the SVHGPA.

Today the club is still focused on participating in and promoting hang gliding and paragliding in southwest Virginia by maintaining several sites in the area and by pursuing the opening of new sites. The club welcomes all with an interest or passion for the flying sports of personal motorless flight by either hang glider or paraglider.

Dealers, Schools & Flight Parks	Hang Gliding Instruments & Gear	Hang Glider Manufacturer's		More Hang Gliding Links
Weather Link's There's no need in going to the site if the weather is no good!	Back To The South Western Virginia Hang Gliding Club Home Page			Hang Gliding Club Web Sites

This page designed and maintained by Jim Robertson, Jr.
Any comments or suggestions?

e-mail me at: skywacker@worldnet.att.net
skywacker@juno.com

Created: 11/17/99