The Launch | June 2026

Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada (HPAC)

From the Admin’s Desk

Thanks to the members who took the time to vote at our online AGM. Results are below:

(Pedro add link or graphic)

In the Treasurer’s report, James Rogers shared that he has completed the three-year term he volunteered to do when coming on board in April 2023. He has “given his notice” so we are now actively searching for a member to take over the HPAC Treasurer/Director-at-Large position.

 

Please contact James at Treasurer@hpac.ca for more information on the role.

Help Wanted

HPAC could not exist without volunteers!

 Some are long-term, like our Board of Directors with a minimum two year term (and they often contribute for years more at a time!).

 Some are for shorter projects or tailored for your specific area of interest, like compiling all the comps and event listings so we can put them on our website or using your work experience to help the Board with legal questions.

Here are some areas you can help with:

 Treasurer (volunteer, Director-at-Large position): As mentioned above, we are looking for a new Treasurer at HPAC. Please contact our current treasurer (james@hpac.ca)  for more information.

Safety: The Safety Committee is looking for experienced pilots who can review and analyze accident reports.

Comps: The Competition Committee is always looking for volunteers too. If you’re interested in comps or events, bring us your ideas! It could be redesigning the competition webpage to show current events, comp listings and standings. If you are organized and good at delegating, we are currently looking for a comp chair who can monitor all incoming emails and help distribute tasks to other volunteers.

Records & Badges: Stewart Midwinter has been volunteering with FAI/records for longer than most of our members have been flying! He is ready to step back, and while Jimmy G (our Director from Quebec) oversees the competition portfolio, we can always use more volunteers to help with different aspects. Promoting/helping pilots try for FAI badges, becoming an Official Observer, designing new HPAC certificates and awards, etc. 

ADS-B/Transponder group: You may recall a letter went out to members about Transport Canada looking into new ADS-B/Transponder regulations. One of our BC members Nikita brought that to our attention, and he agreed to help spearhead this. If you would like to volunteer on this or anything airspace/Transport Canada related, please contact the office at admin@hpac.ca 

Upcoming Canadian Events:

Here are some events that organizers have submitted to HPAC:

  • August 8, 2026 (August 9 weather day if needed) 50th Annual Lakeside Event, 

Invermere, BC www.lakesideevent.com

  • September 4-11, 2026 – Festival of Flight, Charlottetown, PEI

RSVP: Chris Jette:  chris@a360.ca

Detailed description of events:

 50th Lakeside Event:

 Another fantastic sunny & hot year in the forecast for the 50th ANNUAL LAKESIDE EVENT! 

 Wow, who can believe it’s been 50 years? Max and myself (Frank) have been organizing this for the last 25 years with the help of so many great people in the Invermere paragliding and hangliding community. It will be held again In Invermere, BC at James Chabot Beach.

 It’s a great event to bring your family or friends as they can watch from the beach where we land.

 This year the event is on August 8 (and with a potential rain day August 9 if required).

 Visit our website: www.lakesideevent.com

 Register now to get your spot! Entry fee includes:

  •  ground transportation for pilots to launch site
  • pancake breakfast
  • a fun day of flying and target landing on the beach
  • (trophies for best paraglider, hang glider and best splash if you decide to land in the safe target in the lake)
  • your meal at the event on Saturday night.

 Extra food tickets will be available for $30 for adults and $10 for children under 14.

 This year we want to bring back the BIG AFTER PARTY. We will be providing a great meal and will be bringing back the Electric Squirrels rock cover band. This will start at the community hall at 6 PM. Awards will be presented after dinner.

 Pre-registration fee is $80.00 – e-transfer to lakesideevent@gmail.com

Registration after August 6 is $100.

 Please also send Information that is required to lakesideevent@gmail.com

  • Name:
  • HPAC #:
  • Rating (min P2/H2 to fly in the Lakeside Event.):
  • Wing type (HG or PG), model and color:
  • Since when are you flying:
  • What is your local flying site:
  • Pilots should be minimum 
  • Valid HPAC membership with insurance is required. 
  • Extra dinner and party tickets required for adults and for children.

 

If you are visiting from outside of Canada and you do not have HPAC insurance you can purchase a temporary insurance at the event registration.

 This year we started to “Recommend” a P3/H3 rating to land at the Lakeside Event. P2/H2 are welcome but encouraged to land in the new field at James Chabot beach. As you potentially fly over water, lifejackets are strongly recommended.

 Unserviced camping is available at the Old Lakeside Pub beside where we land. There’s also a full service camping available right where the community party is being held, called the Lake Windermere Lions Club Campground.

 Also accommodation is available in town but book early because they fill up quickly in the summer months.

 We will be meeting at Rocky River Grill on Highway number 93 just before the turn off into Invermere at 6 PM to 8 PM on Friday night for pre-registration. This is also an opportunity for anyone wanting to come socialize and have some food and beers.

 We will be meeting at James Chabot Beach the next morning at 8 AM for the pancake breakfast. We will do our orientation meeting at 9 AM and head up to the top of the mountain right after that.

 Any additional inquiries please message our Gmail account-

Lakesideevent@gmail.com

 We’re very excited to be hosting this event again. Please pass it on to any other WhatsApp or group you may know in Canada or the United States.

 Hope to see you all there for another fun Lakeside event!