IMPORTANT NOTE - All information provided on this site is meant as a guide only for pilots rated PG2 and above. Whilst every care has been taken to provide accurate information, the details provided are not meant to encourage pilots to fly our sites unsupervised. Could all pilots please make contact with a local SA pilot (listed on the contacts page) prior to flying any of our sites. Our sites are precious and we do not want to lose them through ignorance. Your cooperation with this mandatory requirement is very much appreciated.
Seaford
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Site rating - PG4 (PG2 & PG3 with PG5 supervision); top landing PG4
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Wind direction - WNW - SW
ATTENTION! - It is absolutely essential that PG2 pilots ensure that they have appropriate on-site supervision and actively seek advice from a senior pilot before flying at Seaford - just having a senior pilot present at the site is not enough. On-site supervision at Seaford will include the provision of active launch assistance to help the PG 2 pilot clear the fence if required.
Seaford is a high risk paragliding site. To ensure safe and continued operation, the following guidelines should be considered by all pilots and followed by less experienced pilots or those new to the site.
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Avoid inflating from or landing in the half of the "lawn" closest to the road.
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An A – C/D reverse launch is strongly recommended – the A and/then brakes method makes being blown back or dragged more likely.
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Following a reverse inflation, continue to ground handle the wing in the reverse position until in position and ready to run at the fence.
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Collapse wing immediately if blown back past the halfway point on the lawn.
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Never launch or land with pedestrians or vehicles approaching.
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If speedbar is required to maintain penetration, land on the beach immediately.
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If its too windy or otherwise difficult to be able to land in the front half of the lawn, land on the beach. (top landing at Seaford without risk, requires a high level of precision - there is no room for a 'final' leg when landing - pilots must land on the 'base' leg)
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Seaford launch is unsuitable for ground handling practice.
Directions
Map
From where Main Street, Seaford intersects Commercial Road, Seaford, continue straight ahead into Tiller Drive and proceed to the end turning left into the Esplanade. Continue for around 400 metres going straight ahead at the roundabout, parking on the left after approximately 200 metres, just before the left turning for Starboard Road. The site can then be found directly opposite. You can type 296 Esplanade, Seaford into your sat nav.
Site Details
Seaford 1
Seaford 2
This site offers some stunning coastal flying for the more experienced pilot. The launch area is a fairly narrow strip of grassland with a busy road directly behind (Seaford 1 image), then housing beyond. Competent ground handling skills are essential to fly this site to avoid ending up on the road and to clear the wooden fence on launch. Please take note of the tide before launching to ensure a beach landing is possible, should the wind drop out.
HAZARD 1 (THE MAIN ROAD) - In stronger conditions, it is very easy for the glider or pilot to end up on the busy road behind launch (Seaford 2 image) which is extremely dangerous. Please ensure you are comfortable with the conditions and your ground handling ability is proficient before attempting to launch.
HAZARD 2 (ROTOR) - It is common to experience rotor around the road and extreme caution should be exercised when attempting to top land to not fly too deep. For this reason, visiting and less experienced pilots below PG4 rating are requested to land on the beach.
HAZARD 3 (THE TIDE) - Please ensure there is sufficient beach to land on before launching.
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VISITING PILOTS - Please always land on the beach to protect our site from closure due to unnecessary accidents.