NZ Paragliding - Longest Flights from Individual Take-off Points
Updated by the administrator of the NZ PG flights database,
Tim Percival.
Last updated 07 April 2021.
About This List
Take-off Longest Flights
Flights Pending PCC Ratification
About This List
NZ site records are kept for different
sites/site groups, where a ‘site group’ is one or more different take-off points
grouped together because of their proximity, and/or because a launch point is
obscure enough such that it does not warrant a separate stand-alone listing. And
to be listed as site in its own right, generally a site must meet a “2+2 rule”,
which is that the take-off has been used by 2 or more persons on the same day,
on 2 or more days. It's reasoned that if a take-off passes that test, then it
must be a place worth flying from, and thus deserves to be listed as a
‘paragliding site’.
How the list below differs from the NZ site
records list, is that here the longest flights from the ‘whole caboodle’ of
take-off points that are recorded in the NZ PG flight database are detailed.
Each take-off point of a site/site group gets an entry in this table, as do
take-off points that are on record as having been used only by one person and/or
on only one occasion. Happy browsing :)
Take-off Longest Flights (Open Distance)
|
Region
|
Take-off
|
Distance
|
Pilot
|
Date
|
Site/Site Group
|
|
Northland
|
Kamo
|
38.5
|
Gary Sands
|
31/08/2005
|
Kamo
|
|
Auckland
|
Bridges
|
67.1
|
Grant Middendorf
|
28/08/2004
|
Bridges
|
|
Auckland
|
Dills Hill
|
77.0
|
Leighton Joll
|
06/03/2019
|
Dills Hill
|
|
Auckland
|
Five Fingers
|
40.0
|
Jeff Ripley
|
26/10/2006
|
Five Fingers
|
|
Auckland
|
Moirs Hill
|
67.2
|
Evan Lamberton
|
09/10/2015
|
Moirs Hill
|
|
Auckland
|
Pakiri Hill
|
24.5
|
Lukas Walton-Keim
|
31/01/2017
|
Pakiri Hill
|
|
Auckland
|
Puketutu
|
64.2
|
Jeff Ripley
|
21/11/2008
|
Puketutu
|
|
Waikato
|
Alans Hill
|
67.4
|
Bruce Vickerman
|
18/03/2014
|
Alans Hill
|
|
Waikato
|
Harrys Hill
|
26.2
|
Bruce Vickerman
|
13/12/2013
|
Harrys Hill
|
|
Waikato
|
Kaimai
|
97.7
|
Mark Macdonald
|
31/01/2021
|
Kaimai Range
|
|
Waikato
|
Mt Te Aroha
|
43.0
|
Derek Watts
|
18/09/1995
|
Kaimai Range
|
|
Waikato
|
Pukemore
|
68.9
|
Jeff Ripley
|
08/11/2008
|
Pukemore
|
|
Waikato
|
Puriri Hill
|
17.5
|
Bruce Vickerman
|
25/10/2014
|
Puriri Hill
|
|
Waikato
|
Maungakawa
|
32.4
|
Bruce Vickerman
|
15/02/2014
|
Te Hoe - Maungakawa
|
|
Waikato
|
Pukeitionga
|
30.3
|
Rob Gillard
|
31/10/2015
|
Te Hoe - Maungakawa
|
|
Waikato
|
Te Hoe
|
65.4
|
Grant Middendorf
|
01/02/2003
|
Te Hoe - Maungakawa
|
|
Waikato
|
Awakino Hill
|
71.5
|
Russell Read
|
01/03/2001
|
Te Kuiti
|
|
Waikato
|
Hospital Hill
|
39.5
|
Rob Gillard
|
14/02/2015
|
Waihi
|
|
Waikato
|
Mt Misery
|
55.9
|
Bruce Vickerman
|
15/01/2015
|
Waihi
|
|
Bay of Plenty
|
Black Rocks
|
32.4
|
Bruce Vickerman
|
14/02/2007
|
Komata
|
|
Bay of Plenty
|
Komata Reef
|
16.2
|
Ken Jackson
|
20/11/2005
|
Komata
|
|
Bay of Plenty
|
Matawai
|
21.3
|
Russell Read
|
21/01/2002
|
Matawai
|
|
Bay of Plenty
|
Mt Edgecumbe
|
21.0
|
Russell Read
|
30/11/1996
|
Mt Edgecumbe
|
|
Bay of Plenty
|
Hickeys Bluff
|
9.0
|
Wayne Rohrs
|
12/03/2016
|
Paeroa
|
|
Bay of Plenty
|
Paeroa
|
78.0
|
Shaun Gilbert
|
10/03/2015
|
Paeroa
|
|
Bay of Plenty
|
Whakaahu
|
44.6
|
Bruce Vickerman
|
28/08/2006
|
Whakaahu
|
|
Hawkes Bay
|
Burma Road
|
84.5
|
Shaun Gilbert
|
04/03/1998
|
Burma Road
|
|
Hawkes Bay
|
Goat Shed Basin
|
27.5
|
Shaun Gilbert
|
26/01/2016
|
Kaokaoroa Range
|
|
Hawkes Bay
|
Alligator Tower
|
67.6
|
Shaun Gilbert
|
18/01/1995
|
Te Mata Peak
|
|
Hawkes Bay
|
Mt Erin
|
31.2
|
Shaun Gilbert
|
20/12/2015
|
Te Mata Peak
|
|
Hawkes Bay
|
Te Mata Peak
|
125.0
|
Shaun Gilbert
|
10/01/1999
|
Te Mata Peak
|
|
Hawkes Bay
|
Turiri
|
94.0
|
Shaun Gilbert
|
20/03/2015
|
Turiri
|
|
Hawkes Bay
|
Zolas
|
35.1
|
Craig Collings
|
06/02/1997
|
Zolas
|
|
Manawatu
|
Heights Road
|
29.0
|
Laurie Ross
|
22/02/2003
|
Heights Road
|
|
Wairarapa
|
Bennetts Hill
|
14.8
|
Mick Kennish
|
06/02/2014
|
Bennetts Hill
|
|
Wairarapa
|
Dalefield Road
|
30.2
|
Barry Baxter
|
01/01/2008
|
Dalefield Road
|
|
Wairarapa
|
Kourarau
|
47.8
|
Mick Kennish
|
03/04/2015
|
Kourarau
|
|
Wairarapa
|
Oyster Shell
|
40.0
|
Gary Steele
|
01/11/1997
|
Oyster Shell
|
|
Wellington
|
Mt Climie
|
49.5
|
Gary Steele
|
04/01/1997
|
Mt Climie
|
|
Wellington
|
Waikanae Hill
|
29.0
|
Russell Read
|
31/03/1999
|
Waikanae
|
|
Nelson
|
Barnicoat
|
59.5
|
Craig Collings
|
23/10/1995
|
Barnicoat Range
|
|
Nelson
|
Champion Road
|
21.0
|
Stew Karstens
|
27/09/1996
|
Barnicoat Range
|
|
Nelson
|
Fringed Hill
|
28.5
|
Mike McManaway
|
04/11/1996
|
Barnicoat Range
|
|
Nelson
|
Inwoods Lookout
|
116.3
|
Tim Percival
|
30/12/2002
|
Inwoods Lookout
|
|
Nelson
|
Marybank
|
44.5
|
Richard Hadfield
|
15/10/2003
|
Marybank
|
|
Nelson
|
Mt Murchison
|
101.8
|
Rob Hughes-Games
|
15/02/2020
|
Mt Murchison
|
|
Nelson
|
Sherry River
|
39.5
|
Bryan Moore
|
10/01/1995
|
Sherry River
|
|
Nelson
|
Mt Robert
|
91.7
|
Tim Percival
|
20/02/2015
|
St Arnaud
|
|
Nelson
|
Parachute Rocks
|
100.4
|
Tim Percival
|
11/02/2015
|
St Arnaud
|
|
Nelson
|
Rainbow Ski Field
|
86.0
|
Tim Percival
|
03/02/1999
|
St Arnaud
|
|
Nelson
|
Woolshed Spur
|
55.1
|
Tim Percival
|
25/02/2003
|
St Arnaud
|
|
Nelson
|
Brown Acre
|
47.3
|
Robert van den Ham
|
10/12/1997
|
Takaka - Riwaka
|
|
Nelson
|
Takaka Hill
|
44.3
|
Bryan Moore
|
15/01/1995
|
Takaka - Riwaka
|
|
Nelson
|
Tapawera
|
34.7
|
Robert van den Ham
|
22/02/1998
|
Tapawera
|
|
Marlborough
|
Benhopai
|
25.0
|
Angus Tapper
|
08/11/2000
|
Benhopai
|
|
Marlborough
|
Black Birch
|
21.0
|
Andy Whyte
|
28/01/1997
|
Black Birch
|
|
Marlborough
|
Blowhard
|
110.2
|
Dean Straker
|
02/11/2006
|
Blowhard
|
|
Marlborough
|
Canvastown
|
30.3
|
Nick Taber
|
01/11/2015
|
Canvastown
|
|
Marlborough
|
Footes Hill
|
12.7
|
Nick Taber
|
28/01/2014
|
Havelock
|
|
Marlborough
|
Havelock
|
28.0
|
Russell Read
|
04/03/2007
|
Havelock
|
|
Marlborough
|
Okiwi Bay Pt 683
|
23.2
|
Pepijn Wyffels
|
05/01/2017
|
Okiwi Bay
|
|
Marlborough
|
Collins Hill
|
26.5
|
Dave Lochead
|
02/02/1999
|
Picton
|
|
Marlborough
|
Mt Freeth
|
24.0
|
Aidan Limbert
Lester Schroder
|
06/01/2002
|
Picton
|
|
Marlborough
|
Port Underwood
|
27.6
|
Russell Read
|
24/01/2004
|
Port Underwood
|
|
West Coast
|
Denniston
|
61.3
|
Bryan Moore
|
26/12/2015
|
Denniston - Millerton
|
|
Canterbury
|
Avalanche Peak
|
90.6
|
Jean Brossard
|
09/02/2017
|
Avalanche Peak
|
|
Canterbury
|
Ben Ohau Peak
|
20.0
|
Bryan Moore
|
06/12/2006
|
Ben Ohau Range
|
|
Canterbury
|
Mt Burnett Slopes
|
101.1
|
Nick Neynens
|
30/12/2016
|
Burnett Range
|
|
Canterbury
|
Buscot Hill
|
48.8
|
Rory Devine
|
11/12/2012
|
Buscot Hill
|
|
Canterbury
|
Bridge Hill
|
10.0
|
Mike McManaway
|
01/10/1995
|
Craigieburn Range
|
|
Canterbury
|
Cheeseman
|
105.1
|
Rob Hughes-Games
|
11/11/2020
|
Craigieburn Range
|
|
Canterbury
|
Helicopter Hill
|
46.5
|
Tim Percival
|
22/10/2001
|
Craigieburn Range
|
|
Canterbury
|
Red Hill
|
42.5
|
Tim Percival
|
10/11/2000
|
Craigieburn Range
|
|
Canterbury
|
Tims Knob
|
62.0
|
Craig Collings
|
14/11/1998
|
Craigieburn Range
|
|
Canterbury
|
Memorial
|
44.8
|
Gert van Maren
|
19/12/2015
|
Hopkins Valley
|
|
Canterbury
|
Mt Studholme
|
12.2
|
Rob Hughes-Games
|
11/02/2017
|
Hunter Hills
|
|
Canterbury
|
Lewis Tops
|
23.4
|
Tim Percival
|
18/03/2001
|
Lewis Tops
|
|
Canterbury
|
Mt Faust
|
69.2
|
Tim Percival
|
24/02/2013
|
Libretto Range - Lewis
|
|
Canterbury
|
Little River
|
29.0
|
Ross Johnstone
|
30/11/1998
|
Little River
|
|
Canterbury
|
Irishman Stream
|
112.4
|
Bryan Moore
|
01/01/2016
|
Lower Dobson Valley
|
|
Canterbury
|
Mt Alexander
|
14.0
|
Ross Johnstone
|
30/12/1997
|
Mt Alexander
|
|
Canterbury
|
Ball Spur
|
136.8
|
Bryan Moore
|
09/02/2014
|
Mt Cook Range
|
|
Canterbury
|
Mt Hutt
|
30.8
|
Craig Collings
|
01/12/1996
|
Mt Hutt
|
|
Canterbury
|
Mt Isobel
|
42.0
|
Martin Thoma
|
16/01/1997
|
Mt Isobel
|
|
Canterbury
|
Mt Potts
|
143.8
|
Nick Neynens
|
13/02/2015
|
Mt Potts
|
|
Canterbury
|
Ohau Ski Field
|
60.0
|
Bryan Moore
|
02/03/2001
|
Ohau Ski Field
|
|
Canterbury
|
Kamilas Hill
|
134.1
|
Nick Neynens
|
11/02/2015
|
Opera Range
|
|
Canterbury
|
Castle Rock
|
37.9
|
Ross Johnstone
|
15/02/2003
|
Port Hills
|
|
Canterbury
|
Montgomery Spur
|
18.5
|
Craig Collings
|
21/11/1998
|
Port Hills
|
|
Canterbury
|
Mt Pleasant
|
34.4
|
Glen Stevens
|
15/10/2013
|
Port Hills
|
|
Canterbury
|
Taylors Mistake
|
22.4
|
Steve O'Shaughnessy
|
05/02/2003
|
Port Hills
|
|
Canterbury
|
Sealy Tarns
|
157.3
|
Grant Middendorf
|
03/01/2015
|
Sealy Range
|
|
Canterbury
|
Tekapo
|
55.3
|
Bryan Moore
|
08/02/2014
|
Tekapo
|
|
Canterbury
|
Foggy Peak
|
16.6
|
Tim Percival
|
20/09/1997
|
Torlesse Range
|
|
Canterbury
|
Torlesse - Pt 1842
|
20.5
|
Tim Percival
|
12/09/1998
|
Torlesse Range
|
|
Canterbury
|
Wallace Peak
|
19.5
|
Craig Collings
Rodney Burgoyne
|
19/10/1997
|
Wallace Peak
|
|
Otago
|
Barrier Range - South
|
117.3
|
Nick Neynens
|
19/12/2015
|
Barrier Range North Otago
|
|
Otago
|
Cairnmuir
|
55.8
|
Michal Karnik
|
11/12/2015
|
Cairnmuir
|
|
Otago
|
Cairnmuir Spur
|
78.2
|
Dylan Vickerman
|
30/10/2015
|
Cairnmuir
|
|
Otago
|
Clyde
|
33.4
|
Rory Devine
|
31/01/2016
|
Cairnmuir
|
|
Otago
|
Cardrona
|
196.1
|
Bryan Moore
|
05/01/2016
|
Cardrona
|
|
Otago
|
Brow Peak
|
46.2
|
Louis Tapper
|
18/11/2013
|
Coronet Peak
|
|
Otago
|
Coronet Peak
|
170.4
|
Angus Tapper
|
23/12/2014
|
Coronet Peak
|
|
Otago
|
Mt Soho
|
55.2
|
Angus Tapper
|
21/12/2001
|
Coronet Peak
|
|
Otago
|
Gertrude Saddle
|
131.7
|
Bryan Moore
|
28/12/2014
|
Gertrude Saddle
|
|
Otago
|
Mt Judah
|
149.3
|
Nick Neynens
|
23/02/2015
|
Glenorchy Eastern Ranges
|
|
Otago
|
Stair Peak
|
182.7
|
Nick Neynens
|
29/12/2016
|
Glenorchy Eastern Ranges
|
|
Otago
|
Brewster Hut
|
113.1
|
Rory Devine
|
20/02/2015
|
Haast Pass
|
|
Otago
|
Mt Cross
|
44.5
|
Rory Devine
|
14/03/2014
|
Haast Pass
|
|
Otago
|
Pipson Spur
|
79.6
|
Bryan Moore
|
10/03/2017
|
Haast Pass
|
|
Otago
|
Breast Hill
|
55.0
|
Bryan Moore
|
01/03/2001
|
Hawea Eastern Ranges
|
|
Otago
|
Dingle Burn
|
45.1
|
Martin Kraemer
|
01/01/2016
|
Hawea Eastern Ranges
|
|
Otago
|
Grandview
|
50.0
|
Quentin Smith
|
06/02/2007
|
Hawea Eastern Ranges
|
|
Otago
|
Lake Hawea East Pt 1410
|
47.5
|
Michal Karnik
|
01/12/2016
|
Hawea Eastern Ranges
|
|
Otago
|
Pakituhi Spur
|
114.1
|
Gert van Maren
|
05/01/2016
|
Hawea Eastern Ranges
|
|
Otago
|
Sugarloaf
|
67.3
|
Robert van den Ham
|
08/03/2013
|
Hawea Eastern Ranges
|
|
Otago
|
Hawea Terrace
|
23.9
|
Kat West
|
15/11/2003
|
Hawea Terrace
|
|
Otago
|
Hawkdun Pt 1658
|
30.2
|
Ian Douglass
|
23/12/2015
|
Hawkdun Range
|
|
Otago
|
Mill Creek
|
191.3
|
Nick Neynens
|
05/01/2017
|
Humboldt Mountains South
|
|
Otago
|
Ahuriri Eyrie
|
211.1
|
Nick Neynens
|
25/12/2015
|
Huxley Range
|
|
Otago
|
Lindis Pass
|
33.3
|
Bryan Moore
|
10/10/2014
|
Lindis Pass
|
|
Otago
|
Long Gully
|
95.6
|
Russell Read
|
07/02/2002
|
Long Gully
|
|
Otago
|
Rob Roy
|
49.9
|
Bryan Moore
|
09/03/2014
|
Matukituki
|
|
Otago
|
Sharks Tooth
|
126.5
|
Bryan Moore
|
29/11/2015
|
Matukituki
|
|
Otago
|
Mt Alfred
|
79.8
|
Nick Neynens
|
02/12/2014
|
Mt Alfred
|
|
Otago
|
Mt Awful
|
35.3
|
Bryan Moore
|
22/03/2014
|
Mt Awful
|
|
Otago
|
Mt Ida
|
59.8
|
Mark Hardman
|
10/03/2007
|
Mt Ida
|
|
Otago
|
Mt Iron
|
54.4
|
Grant Middendorf
|
06/01/2003
|
Mt Iron
|
|
Otago
|
Mt Maude
|
122.1
|
Bryan Moore
|
29/12/2016
|
Mt Maude
|
|
Otago
|
Obelisk
|
43.5
|
Grant Middendorf
|
13/11/2004
|
Obelisk
|
|
Otago
|
Mt Barker
|
36.6
|
Bryan Moore
|
30/12/2001
|
Pisa Range
|
|
Otago
|
Pukekowhai
|
26.2
|
Louis Tapper
|
27/12/2013
|
Pisa Range
|
|
Otago
|
Waiorau
|
142.4
|
Grant Middendorf
|
17/10/2005
|
Pisa Range
|
|
Otago
|
Remarkables
|
81.6
|
Angus Tapper
|
08/09/2004
|
Remarkables
|
|
Otago
|
Moke Lake
|
150.9
|
Bryan Moore
|
31/12/2015
|
Richardson Mountains
|
|
Otago
|
Sugarloaf Pass
|
235.8
|
Nick Neynens
|
05/01/2016
|
Routeburn
|
|
Otago
|
Hill End
|
38.0
|
Bryan Moore
|
06/01/2001
|
Roys Peak
|
|
Otago
|
Roys Peak
|
90.0
|
Bryan Moore
|
13/11/2000
|
Roys Peak
|
|
Otago
|
Bowen Peak
|
34.0
|
Simon Nighy
|
01/01/1994
|
Skyline
|
|
Otago
|
Skyline
|
64.5
|
Angus Tapper
|
17/10/1999
|
Skyline
|
|
Otago
|
Black Peak
|
38.8
|
Bryan Moore
|
08/12/2007
|
Treble Cone
|
|
Otago
|
Elevator Spur
|
50.9
|
Rob Boyle
|
18/12/2015
|
Treble Cone
|
|
Otago
|
Niger Peak
|
18.2
|
Gert van Maren
|
27/11/2005
|
Treble Cone
|
|
Otago
|
Treble Cone
|
152.1
|
Bryan Moore
|
07/12/2014
|
Treble Cone
|
|
Otago
|
Leaning Rock
|
41.3
|
Grant Middendorf
|
30/10/2005
|
Waikerikeri
|
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Flights Pending PCC Ratification
At the end of the NZ paragliding season, the Paragliding Competition Committee (PCC), or their nominated scruntineer, will usually check the validity of flights of the season that have bettered an existing site record, but only for flights of recognised, commonly-flown sites. The checking is to determine whether or not the flight has met all requirements for a valid paraglider record flight (as per rule 6.5.1, ?Validation of Flight?, of the NZHGPA Paragliding Competition Manual).
If you are reading this and you wish to have a flight of yours, flown from a rarely-visited take-off, ratified and recognised as a record for that take-off, then the onus is on you to submit your flight to the PCC for verification.
The table below lists some of the NZ take-offs from which a flight has been recorded, but which to date do not have any PCC-verified flights.
|
Take Off
|
Site/Site Group
|
Region
|
|
Te Aroha Winch Launch
|
Te Aroha Winch Launch
|
Waikato
|
|
Flat Top
|
Matakitaki
|
Nelson
|
|
Pelorus
|
Pelorus
|
Marlborough
|
|
Hooker - Stewart Spur
|
Hooker Valley
|
Canterbury
|
|
Red Tarns
|
Sealy Range
|
Canterbury
|
|
Earnslaw Burn
|
Earnslaw Burn
|
Otago
|
|
Lovers Leap
|
Earnslaw Burn
|
Otago
|
|
Cascade Saddle
|
Matukituki
|
Otago
|
|
Taniwha
|
Matukituki
|
Otago
|
|
Wilsons Camp
|
Matukituki
|
Otago
|
|
Mt Burns
|
Mt Burns - Borland Burn
|
Otago
|
|
Mt Jumbo
|
Wilkin Valley
|
Otago
|
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