A sight for soar eyes needs just the right weather

When I think of weather, the first things that come to mind are storms, rain and wild conditions. But weather is all around us, whether it’s hot, sunny, humid, dry, cold, windy, or even snowing, and it influences much of what we do each day.

From the clothes we wear and places we travel to events we hold, activities we choose and the sports we play, weather plays a defining role. It can affect our mood, health and productivity.

In mid-April, I photographed the famous paragliders at Bald Hill Lookout, overlooking the spectacular Illawarra coastline on a beautiful autumn day. The view from this lookout is incredible but imagine the perspective the pilots have from high above. Paragliding is something I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet managed. It’s also one of the most weather-dependent sports in the world.

Fortunately for paragliders, hang-gliders and spectators, Bald Hill at Stanwell Tops provides the perfect natural launch site. Rising 180 metres above sea level straight from the ocean and with minimal vegetation on top, it offers ideal conditions when the weather aligns.

For paragliding at Bald Hill, favourable conditions typically include southeast to southerly winds with a gentle to moderate breeze of around five to 15 knots. Hang-gliders generally require slightly stronger winds, with 10 to 20 knots being ideal.

Stronger winds are more suited to experienced pilots. Many pilots choose to fly in the mid to late afternoon, which often proves to be the best time for soaring. Under these circumstances, the Illawarra escarpment creates a strong and reliable uplift, allowing gliders to remain airborne for extended periods. Experienced pilots can stay aloft for up to two hours, while the average flight lasts around 30 minutes.

In early April, I was hiking along the coast track in the Royal National Park. As I passed through Little Garie, I stopped to chat with a resident who kindly showed me his shack and the community hall, sharing some of the area’s history along the way.

During our conversation, I noticed several hang-gliders heading north over Garie Beach. Curious, I asked if they had launched from Bald Hill and he confirmed they had, explaining that it was quite common for them to fly this far and return.

When the weather is just right, he said, they can travel as far as Wattamolla – around 15 kilometres from Bald Hill. He mentioned that, over the years, a few pilots have misjudged conditions and crash-landed in the Little Garie valley.

For photographers looking to capture great shots of the gliders against the classic Bald Hill scenery, keeping an eye on the weather is essential – especially on weekends, when activity is at its peak if conditions are favourable.

Aim to head out in the mid-afternoon on a sunny day, with light to moderate southerly winds. These conditions often follow a cool change moving through the region. For settings, I typically use a shutter speed of around 1/500th of a second. On a bright day, I keep my ISO at 100 and shoot at around f/8, or open up to f/5.6 in slightly lower light.