Learning to catch the Sierra wave

Soaring enthusiasts picked up some pointers from the experts last week at SoaringNV's Minden Wave Camp.

The soaring company revived the event that used to be held in the early 1980s, according to co-owner Laurie Harden.

Among the speakers at the five-day event were five-time U.S. soaring championship pilot Rick Walters and record holder Gordon Boettger, a Minden resident.

About a dozen participants heard about the Sierra wave, where high winds coming over the ridgetops drop rapidly to the Valley floors and bounce back up, providing lift gliders use for propulsion.

"We have some really great speakers," Harden said. "People are starting to realize what a gem we have here in Minden. We are known worldwide for soaring. This is one way we're trying to resurrect soaring in the Valley."

The Wave Camp wasn't limited to classroom work. Soaring pilots took the opportunity to explore the wave for themselves.

In addition to Walters, and Boettger, Reno control tower representative Mike Bradford, weather forecaster Doug Armstrong and pilot Kempton Izuno also spoke during the camp.

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soaringnv.com