Residents will be treated to the majestic sight of hot air balloons soaring over the skies over Newcastle for the next few days.
The 35th Annual South African Balloon National Championship will again grace our town, with pilots and crews looking forward to enjoying great moments, as they look back fondly at the previous experiences the skies of Newcastle has given them.
The challenge lies in the ability of the pilot and crew to fly as close as possible to pre-marked destinations, and then drop a marker from the balloon on a big red ‘X’. Hot air balloons have no steering mechanisms, making the task all the more difficult.
Residents have been invited to attend both the morning and afternoon competitions at the following venues: Thursday morning and afternoon at Majuba Lodge, Friday morning Vulintaba Country Estate, Friday afternoon at Majuba Lodge, Saturday morning at Majuba Lodge and Sunday morning at Majuba Lodge.
The program for the event will be as follows:
Thursday, May 8:
5.15am – Briefing at Round Table Clubhouse
5.45am – Depart to launch area
6.30am – Event Starts
11am – Brucnh at Vulintaba Country Estate
3pm – Briefing at Round Table Club house
3.45pm – Depart to launch area
Friday, May 9:
5.15am – Briefing at Round Table Clubhouse
5.45am – Depart to launch area – Vulintaba Country Estate
6.30am – Flights Morning and afternoon at leisure
3pm – Briefing at Round Table Club house
3.45pm – Depart to launch area – Majuba Lodge
4.30pm – Flights
7pm – Social braai at the clubhouse
Saturday, May 10:
5.15am – Briefing at Round Table Clubhouse
5.45am – Depart to launch area – Majuba Lodge
6.30am – Event start. Morning and afternoon at leisure.
3pm – Briefing at Round Table Club house
3.45pm – Depart to launch area – Vulintaba Country Estate
4.30pm – Flights
Sunday, May 11:
5.15am – Briefing at Round Table Clubhouse
5.45am – Depart to launch area
6.30am – Flights
12 noon – Prize giving at Vulintaba Country Estate
Monday, May 12:
5.30am – Winner to be interviewed on TV Channel 144, Dagbreek.
Residents in need of a soaring experience will pay a mere R2200 for the experience of a lifetime.
A 14-seater balloon will take to the skies tomorrow morning at 6am. If you are interested in taking a ride in one of these majestic balloons contact Johan Pieters at 082 923 0078. Please note you must book in advance, so start dialing.
