While we were all enjoying the sunshine, clear skies, and still conditions early last week, the glider pilots were hoping for a westerly wind to spring up, a wind needed to create the lift they need to take them soaring above the Mograni ranges that line the eastern edge of the Gloucester valley.

“It’s great weather but not really soaring weather, we want westerly winds,” Wayne Page, president of the Central Coast Soaring Club said.

Gliding relies on thermals, the pockets of rising warm air that are needed to create the lift the gliders need to soar.

The lack of wind early last week, and the wet ground from recent rain were hindering the pilots.

The wet ground is cool and takes longer to warm up, so there was not as much warm air rising.

Despite that, the club’s annual winter ridge soaring camp attracted 16 glider pilots who did take to the skies for a number of flights throughout the week long visit.