The Hombres Pajaro (Birdmen) 09 hang gliding festival in Ecuador ran from 24 October to 2 November in celebration of the opening of Guayaquil‘s new Center for Free Flight, including the launch at Bototillo.
Over 30 pilots from the United States, Australia, Canada, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador attended the event, which included display flying, trade stands and a two day competition.
Cloudy conditions and no thermals meant day one of the comp was cancelled, so a group of US pilots, led by Jeff O’Brien and Ricker Goldsborough, took the opportunity to visit Father Frank’s mission for poor children in the suburbs, and hand over the medical supplies and basic necessities donated by US hang glider pilots (see news item here)
Their generosity was rewarded with good cross country conditions the following day. 2008 US champion Dustin Martin and Australian Craig Coomber flew to Pedro Carbo, breaking Ecuadorian National Champion Raul Guerra’s 40 km distance record for Ecuador.
