Natalie Barlow <<nat.matt3>>
writes:

Competition Website/Registration:
nzhgnats.blogspot.co.nz. Go here to register and find all the key
information about the Nationals. We hear that people are coming but we don't see
many pilots registered yet. Please get on to this within the next couple of
weeks to take advantage of the discount: $175 for early birds before 31st Dec.,
$200 afterwards. Payment of a non-refundable $75 deposit (or the whole lot)
required on registration. The early bird discount is to try and give the
organiser a better idea of how many will turn up. T-shirts need to be printed
and paid for, etc.

Competition Format/Categories: The main focus of the week will be to facilitate
the Nationals which is a FAI Cat 2 Comp and open to Intermediate and advanced
pilots. In conjunction with this we will also run an Intermediate grade. Novice
pilots are welcome to attend and fly when conditions permit (and are within the
parameters of their rating).

Accommodation: Linda & Robin Sanford, Riverside Holiday Park, Murchison, 0800 523
9591 or 64+027 756 9016 or 64+027 667 3012 19 Riverview Road 7077 PO Box 140,
Murchison 7049 NZ RiversideMurchison.co.nz. Go here to book your accommodation. This
place is amazing! It's located right beside the Buller river. Linda and Robin
have kindly allocated us full and exclusive use of the open air dining and
lounge facility which comes complete with its own kitchen and toilets including
plates, knives, pots, pans etc. so travel light as everything you need is there.
Camping sites are $12.50 per night, and cabins are $30 per night. Camping sites
can probably be booked on arrival however if you want to make sure just book
ahead of time. If you want a cabin it would definitely pay to book now as there
is a popular country music concert happening 26-29 Jan 18 and they stay at the
Riverside Holiday Park too. We can't speak highly enough of Riverside Holiday
Park. It is extremely clean and just such good value for money, and so well
positioned in terms of it's proximity to the river, town, flying, etc.

Sites: The main site for the Nationals is Mt. Murchison. 360° of take off,
high mountain site, situated bang smack in the middle between the West and East
Coasts. Easy landings right at the foot of the mountain and lots of good
landings in the area we fly in. The other sites up our sleaves are Sherry River,
Tapawera, Inwoods, and a few others if required.

Vehicle Requirements: Due to the extreme hot weather we are anticipating leading
up to and during the Nationals there is a significant fire risk from vehicles
and people. Accordingly, and in order to comply with access rules, all vehicles
need to be 4WD, carry at least one fire extinguisher, all vehicles are likely to
require a spark plug supressor (more details posted on the website soon). Lastly
all vehicle registrations (travelling up the mountain) are to be sent to Comp
Organisers no later than 27 Dec 2017.

X Country Clinic: We will be running a X Country Clinic over the period 25-26
Jan for Novice and Intermediate Pilots and any Advanced Pilots that want to
attend. Please register your details via the link on the Comp Website if you are
interested in attending this. At this stage we have 5 pilots registered for
this.

Recreational Activities: In between flying there are an amazing range of other
recreational activities that can be done, e.g. rafting, kayaking, mountain
biking, fishing, hunting, shopping, day trip to Nelson, Marlborough, Westport/WestCoast,
hiking, gold panning, eating, swimming, 4W Driving, etc. etc. Heaps to do for
other family members making this spot a great place for a combined family and
flying holiday.

More Flying/Omarama Classic: Bill Degen is once again running this fun X Country
Competition. The dates are 3-11 Feb 2018. The mission: fly open distance, in any
direction from the Omarama area that you choose. Enter any number of flights.
Take any days off, only your best 3 flights get scored. If you want an extended
flying holiday then the Nationals and Omarama Classic is your chance. Contact
Bill Degen <atareo> for more
information.

Gliders for Hire: If you have a glider you would be prepared to hire out during
the Nationals and or Omarama Classic please get in touch with Matt Barlow. There
are some international pilots who are looking for gliders for hire.

Apparently record numbers have registered so far at 49 pilots
including just recently Ollie Chitty.