The extended Easter break allowed a contingent of pilots from the Petersfield-based Sky Surfing Club to spread their hang glider and paraglider wings further afield in search of good flying conditions.

South Wales was one destination for those seeking high mountains and long flights.

Paraglider pilot Russell Winters was joined by Martin Ayers, Ali Ghorashinejad, Rob Gargaro, Dominic Brown and Zack Hart. The group visited The Blorenge – a 1,830ft mountain overlooking Abergavenny – and Mynydd Twyn-glas, a 1,540ft slope near Cwmbran.

While no record flights were recorded on this occasion, everyone enjoyed the trip and the change of scenery.

Neville Almond, Justin Needham and Jose Pinto were among a small hang gliding expedition to Ballard Down, overlooking the Dorset town of Swanage. Despite the hazy sunshine, the pilots were treated to spectacular aerial views of the cliffs along to Old Harry Rocks and beyond to Studland and Poole Harbour.

For those pilots staying local, Harting Down, overlooking the village of South Harting, proved to be a good choice.

Jan Henslow said: “The wind was very light, but once the thermals developed people went up and up. I reached over 4,000ft several times.”

Harting Down was also the starting point for an epic flight for Ian Grant and Mark Boakes along the South Downs to Devil’s Dyke, near Brighton.

Grant said: “We were rewarded with climb after climb from the thermals and found ourselves flying among the clouds, dodging sailplanes, and reaching heights of 5,000ft. The visibility was good so we had amazing views of the south coast and the Sussex countryside.”

Brian Parkins