Jurassic coastline

It was a calendar picture that had captivated photo­grapher Adi Geisegger many years ago. The image remained with him until, at last, he had the subject in his own lens. Adi travelled to this object of desire with Melanie Weber and Englishman Jack Pimblett. The trio maximised the flying opportunities to view the chalk cliffs of the south English coast in the best light.

The white glows. It’s eye-catching, next to the blue, a bright, brilliant sea-blue. Then there’s the green. Not ordinary green, but luminous, strong green. Three colours, a perfect three-way contrast. Here we’re describing a calendar photo of the Jurassic coast of England. The snow-white, flawless steep cliffs cast their spell, bordered by the deep blue of the sea below and the lush green meadows on top. It’s no wonder that Adi Geisegger had been fascinated by the photo for so long. His desire to discover this landscape of colour contrast in the south of England by paraglider took on a life of its own.

The Jurassic coast forms part of the southern English coastline and extends for about 150 km. Research showed that this coast can definitely be flown. Flying is generally confined to a small section, but Adi wanted more, he wanted to fly over those perfect sliced-off white cliffs. There where the chalk wall is most impressive – just like in the calendar picture that had impressed him so much. “When I told my long-term flying friend Melanie Weber about the idea she was not convinced: “The English weather is so unreliable. What if it only rains and we never get airborne?” “If you don’t try you can’t achieve anything”, was Adi’s response, and so the plans took shape. “By chance I got to know Jack Pimblett. The young, up-and-coming acro flyer was on the case straight away.”

The three of them waited for a suitable weather window, and set off from Germany to England. When they got there the rain beat down on the car roof. The alleged weather window brought typical English weather instead. “Would Melanie be right?” Adi’s thoughts revolved around the last weather check – it said improving next morning. It just didn’t look like it at the time. “I hope the meteorologists aren’t wrong” – were Adi’s last thoughts before he fell fast asleep. The alarm went off early next morning. “As I awoke I listened, primed for the sound of rain, but there wasn’t any”, remembers Adi.

Less than two hours after the alarm had sounded they had their gliders laid out. The wind was perfect, ideal soaring conditions over the famous chalk cliffs. The Jurassic Coast was a thing of incredible beauty. Here, hanging in the lift band, they felt themselves more than privileged. ‘Glücklich’ describes it; happy combined with lucky is better: good fortune had rewarded them. The wish, created years ago by the calendar photo, had been granted. “Again, I was presented with the perfect contrast between blue sea, white chalk, and green meadow. This time I marvelled at the scene with my own eyes, and took my own pictures.”

Melanie, Jack and Adi took off on the normal launch, and quickly ventured far from it. The further away they got, the higher the sensitivity level. Top-landing was the only option. Below them was the sea, alongside them the steep cliff. “I was slightly concerned by the sense of exposure. At the same time it was unbelievably beautiful to be flying along these white cliffs. We were quite alone.” said Melanie. “I don’t know whether a pilot has ever flown for so long and so far along these chalk cliffs. I enjoyed every moment. It’s crazy, what nature can provide. It’s not for no reason that these gleaming white cliffs are a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.” says Jack.

They landed in time for a second breakfast, and reflected on a wonderful soaring flight. They were delighted that the English weather had given them the opportunity to study the cliffs for so long and in such detail.

In the evening they got another chance to take to the air. This time there was no wind, but fortunately the trio had brought their motors with them, so they made a sunset motor flight together. They enjoyed it, with no concerns about wind or thermals. Again they flew along the chalk cliffs, and now with motor assistance they felt more relaxed about the risk of going down, discovering the landscape afresh. The setting sun bathed the scene in a wash of red, yellow and orange. They landed at last light, and savoured a day of wonderful flying.