adminCollin Matiza Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE are looking at hosting their first ever paragliding competition at Victoria Falls at the beginning of next year. According to the chairman and founder of the Zimbabwe Paragliding and Paramotoring Association, Lawrence Madamombe, this race serves as a launch pad for their new club to be set up at Victoria Falls in January next year.
“The race would be a yearly routine. We would like to bring a breath of fresh air to the Victoria Falls by coming up or lining up paragliding activities all in line with the Zim-Asset initiative.
“The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) has been appraised of the forthcoming race. The law is clear on this: no flight above 400 feet, in clear weather 8km visibility and clear of clouds, 8km away from airports, clear from built up areas and always in sight of ground or water.
“This all too familiar to every pilot,” Madamombe said.
The flight or race starts at Kazungula and the paragliders will go round the falls to the left then under the falls bridge and land at Sprayview Aerodrome.
Sprayview is a United Touring Company’s private aerodrome and Kazungula is a national parks aerodrome.
Madamombe said the pilots invited for the race are freelance adventure pilots.
“As is the norm, they bring their own equipment. We are looking at bringing them from Europe during bad weather in winter in their countries. South Africans and Mozambicans are free to join (both Mozambique and South Africa are members of the world paragliding mother-body FAI).
“The race is in collaboration with the Air Sports Federation of Zimbabwe which is now recognised by the Sports Commission as the mother-body of all aviation sports in Zimbabwe.
“Prize money and associated sponsorship is being sought as sponsors like Red Bull, Econet, Innscor, Delta and SuperSport are just part of the few names that comes to mind,” Madamombe said.
Packaged accommodation and airfares for the pilots are also to be discussed with the participants.
“The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority will be informed of the activity since this competition is part of sport tourism. The Ministry of Tourism will also be kept informed and the Victoria Falls Town Council too.
“The event will be registered with the Sports Commission as is the norm and we shall come up with the racing safety code and the race rules. The entry fee and prize money will be announced in due course while the pilots will take care of their own insurance,” Madamombe said.
Online Reporter