Hang-Gliding Soars: 75 Pilots Pack Australian Competition

The sky above Corryong, Victoria, was filled with 75 hang-gliders this year, proof that a once-declining sport is catching the wind again.

Just five years ago, the same competition struggled to attract even 25 pilots. Now, the Corryong Cup sold out its full capacity, with young competitors and women helping drive the resurgence across Australia.

Bruce Atkinson has been flying for 51 years, ever since he taught himself from a textbook and jumped off a hill as a teenager. His first flight was a crash, but he kept going back to the book and trying again.

Now the veteran pilot is excited to see fresh faces in the sport he loves. "The future is still bright for hang-gliding," he said, crediting young competitors for the growing interest.

Among them is Jakota Cummings, a 21-year-old from Sydney who fell in love with the sport watching his father's friends soar through mountains during childhood holidays. He became a rising star at this year's competition.

"Once you sort of understand how it works and the basics and the huge amount of safety around it, it is actually quite a safe sport," Cummings said. He hopes more young people will discover the thrill he experiences every time he takes flight.

Women are also making their mark on the traditionally male-dominated sport. Nicole Forrester picked up hang-gliding three years ago after a long fascination with the activity.

She found the community welcoming from day one. "The hang-gliding community is awesome, everyone is so encouraging and supportive and always there to lend a hand," Forrester said.

The Ripple Effect

Australia's hot summer skies and growing talent pool are attracting international pilots too. Rich Reinaur traveled from New Mexico to compete in the Corryong Cup for the second time, drawn by the beautiful mountains and plenty of safe landing spots.

The region around Corryong creates perfect flying conditions with strong thermals from the mountains and open paddock space for landings. Local residents have embraced the event, supporting the pilots and welcoming what they bring to the town.

Competition director Phillip Campbell said the community backing makes a real difference. "The townsfolk are very supportive of us and they love what we bring to the town," he said.

The sport still faces challenges, including high equipment costs, limited training schools, and strict licensing requirements. But with 470 licensed hang-gliding members nationwide and competitions filling up fast, the small but passionate community is soaring toward a brighter future.