Just outside of Jacksonville in the Applegate Valley stands the humble Woodrat Mountain, an unassuming peak in the Siskiyou mountain range. Despite its prosaic name, Woodrat is quite an exceptional site. In fact, from the months of April to October, Woodrat and the Applegate Valley offer some of the best conditions in the world for paragliding. Paragliding is an aerial sport in which pilots launch into the air from mountaintops and navigate the skies under brightly-colored, parachute-like wings. This June, Woodrat will serve as the launching point for 180 paraglider pilots as they compete, learn, and fly at the second annual Applegate Open Paragliding Competition.
Produced by the Applegate’s local paragliding club (RVHPA) and hosted by LongSword Vineyard, last year’s inaugural Applegate Open was wildly successful and this year looks to be no different. The 2019 competition is completely sold out and will take place June 15-22, featuring seven days of competitive flying as well as a super clinic for pilots who are learning the sport. Every morning, pilots will gather at LongSword Vineyard before making the journey to the top of Woodrat where they will receive an aerial course of GPS coordinates and a landing zone goal. The objective of the race is to fly the course as quickly and accurately as possible before landing at the designated landing zone.
Spectators interested in viewing the competition (and enjoying some wine!) are welcome at LongSword Vineyard during business hours, noon-5:00pm every day of the competition. LongSword will serve as the landing zone for both Saturdays of the event and will be hosting a “Launch” party on Saturday June 15, from noon-5:00pm and a “Landing” party on Saturday, June 22, from noon-5:00pm. Both events are open to the public and will feature live music, food trucks, wine, and dozens of pilots landing in front of the tasting room patio (weather permitting).
Longsword Vineyard is located at 8555 Highway 238, just a five minute drive west of downtown Jacksonville. For more information on enjoying this event, please visit LongSword’s Facebook page.