THABAZIMBI OPEN 2009

Welcome to the Kumba Paragliding Website. Come and experience the Bushveld, the huge height gains, great XC tasks, and of course, flying in thermals filled with Vultures and other birds of prey. Fly Thaba organizes Paragliding events in Thabazimbi and surrounds with the support of Kumba Iron Ore.

vultures

EVENTS CALENDER

11 - 12 Nov 2006 KVP Cloudbusters fun Comp (Koning van Pretoria)

19 - 24 March 2007 SA Paragliding Nationals

10 - 18 April 2009 Kumba Paragliding Nationals

1 - 3 May 2009 Thabazimbi Expo Paragliding Tandem Flights

10-11 October 2009 KVP Cloudbusters fun Comp (Koning van Pretoria)

THE SITE

This steep north facing site, situated directly above the town is the perfect thermal generator. The height difference top to turkey is 400m, the Launch is at 1400m Asl, and the flatlands around are at approx 950 - 1000m Asl. The Turkey has a slight slope to it, is surrounded by low thorn trees, and it is recommended that pilots unfamiliar with the landing visit the landing area before their first flight from the site.

The Launch and the Turkey is Situated on Kumba Property, and is in an active iron ore mining area, so access is subject to more rules and regulations than the average paragliding site. It is essential that these rules are observed, as the Site will be lost if not! A thorough Site Briefing highlighting the important aspects of these rules will be held before accessing the property, and an indemnity and acknowledgement of these rules must be signed. A limited number of private 4x4 vehicles will be allowed to drive up the mountain, provided that they carry the maximum number of pilots up in each of them. Drivers of these vehicles will be required to view a driver safety video.

ThabaNkwe
the Bushveld Inn

ThabaNkwe is situated approx 5km North of Thabazimbi just off the Lephalale (R510) on a Game Farm at 24°32'55.64"S 27°23'40.97"E. There is ample camping space and some chalets, as well as a great restaurant, bar, pool and Braai area. Registration will take place here from Thursday (9th April) in the Evening, as well as scoring every day after flying. The Prize Giving and closing Party on Saturday the 18th April will also be held at ThabaNkwe. It is essential to be here by 8am for mine induction and briefing on the 10th. Transport up the mountain departs from here at 09h30 every morning.

Accommodation

Most Pilots will be camping or staying in Chalets at ThabaNkwe.

If you need info on any other accommodation in or around Thabazimbi, or to make bookings, please contact Johan Muller of Thabazimbi Tourism at 083 770 9917 or email him at:

Also Contact Our Sponsored Establishments as listed below:

Tel: 014 7771376 / 014 7722244 / 0832690434
knader@mweb.co.za

MONTANE BUSH LODGE
P O Box 533,
Thabazimbi, 0380
Tel: 082 893 4208
E-MAIL: liezie@montane.co.za
www.montane.co.za

ENTRIES
List of entries to date (17 April 2009)

Alistair Stuart
Anton Naude
Basie Geldenhuys
Charles Swart
Chris van Noord
Chrissi Drunk
Cyril Mazibuko
Damian Sykes
Des Van Vuuren
Desiree Pansi
Duncan Kotze
Dudley de Klerk
Ettienne Fourie
Fourie Grobler
Francis Dudley de Klerk
Francois Miog
Gary Whitecross
Gerhardus Combrinck
Herman Lintvelt
Jacques du Plessis
James Braid
James Day
Jean van Niekerk
Johannes Visagie
Johan Wallis
John Lugar
Jon Pio
Kevin Storie
Khobi Bowden
Linda Willemse
Marinus Brenkman
Neville Hullett
Nico Hickley
Paul Essakow
Penny Frost
Peter Van Droogenbroek
Pieter Scholtz
Roelof Wehmeyer Snr
Roeloff Wehmeyer Jnr
Russell Achterberg
Ryan Mulholland
Sean Whitecross
Soon Joubert
Stefaan Battheu
Theuns Koekemoer
Thomas Riedel
Tracey King
Urs Odermatt
Waldo Minny
Walter Neser
Willem Deyzel

RULES

Site Rules, Regulations and behavior

Kumba Iron Ore Mine has granted us permission to access their property for this comp, and for flying in general. This Access is subject to many conditions, and the Site may be lost if they are not adhered to. These conditions will be given at the first pilots briefing at Thaba Nkwe on Friday morning (10th) at 08h30. A Summary follows here.

Transport Related Rules

Only Authorized Vehicles Allowed on Kumba property, and only on the road up and down the mountain.
All Persons including drivers, pilots and helpers must do the mine induction, and sign the Kumba indemnity.
No Smoking, except in designated area by toilet on launch. No smoking in Vehicles on road up to launch.
Headlights on, Seatbelts on, no talking on cell phone while driving, stop at all STOP signs.
No passengers on back of open pick-ups (bakkie).
Convoy leaves Thaba Nkwe at 09h30 daily, all vehicles to drive up and down in convoy.
All Drivers to attend drivers briefing at Thaba Nkwe at 09h20 on Friday 10th
Any person entering Kumba property may be subject to alcohol and drug testing, failing = no fly!!!!
No Standing in Road at Kumba Gate, this is a working mine, and we need to give way to mine personnel.
No pedestrian traffic (walking) on mine roads under any circumstances whatsoever, wait for retrieve!
No loud, lewd, rude or other inappropriate behavior will be tolerated, especially in the vicinity of mine personnel
Failure to comply to the above rules, comp rules and any other rules and regulation as laid out by Kumba, in the induction video, and elsewhere will lead to disqualification from the competition and banning from the site.

Download the Comp Rules: Thaba Comp Rules 2009.doc

CONTACT

For further info contact Walter Neser at +27 765 939 849 or email at:

OFFICIAL FINAL RESULTS

Blog	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7	Day 8	Day 9	Overall
Task	Task 1	Task 2	Task 3	Task 4	Task 5	Task 6	Task 7	Task 8	Task 9	9 Tasks
Ladies	Results	Results	n/a	n/a	Results	Results	n/a	Results	Results	Final
By Class	Results	Results	n/a	n/a	Results	Results	n/a	Results	Results	Final
Overall	Results	Results	Results	Results	Results	Results	Results	Results	Results	Final
Date	10April	11April	12April	13April	14April	15April	16April	17April	18April	n/a
Distance	51.0km	43.2km	79.9km	58.7km	34.6km	96.8km	83.9km	48.0km	42.7km	496.53km
Type	Race	Race	Elapsed Time	Elapsed Time	Elapsed Time	Race	Elapsed Time	Race	Elapsed Time	n/a
Validation	Not achieved	1000	Not achieved	Not achieved	1000	1000	Not achieved	1000	1000	5000