The Hawke's Bay Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club is bringing the Freedom of Flight Film Festival to Hawke's Bay this week.
The Hawke's Bay screening of this not for profit film festival is the only one outside of New Zealand's main centres. The proceeds raised from the event go towards continuing the festival as well as being distributed to selected charities.
The festival is a selection of dramatic and dynamic short films showcasing New Zealand and international hang gliding, speedflying and paragliding. The films highlight many elements of the sport - from speed flying runs, traversing mountain ranges and flying on sand dunes.
A full length award winning documentary from pilot and adventurer Gavin McClurg is also part of the film festival. North of Known details McClurg's 'vol-biv' journey traversing the entire length of the Alaska Range unsupported. 'Vol-biv' is the term given to hiking and flying across various terrains carrying all your equipment with you - fliers often camp where they land.
Hiking and flying is not just for adventurers - it is also a highly competitive race. The Red Bull X-Alps is a competition run every two years, where pilots travel from Austria to Monaco, tagging various points along the way - by flying or on foot.