|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 21, 2013 21:30:52 GMT 12
In a triumph of mistiming, the Balloons Over Waikato 2013 event will be held in Hamilton from Wednesday 3rd April to Sunday 7th April.
You will note that this clashes with my South Island trip.
So anyone who plans to attend should expect to post comprehensive coverage right here.
Or else!
|
|
|
|
Post by ErrolC on Mar 21, 2013 21:54:30 GMT 12
Will there be much happening Tuesday afternoon?
Sent via Proboards Android App
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 21, 2013 21:57:15 GMT 12
Well I saw a billboard for the Waikato Times today saying "Anger as Jafas get balloon priority" so i assume there won't be an event in Waikato this year? Has it been poached by the Jafas?
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Mar 21, 2013 22:00:21 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Ykato on Mar 21, 2013 22:05:09 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 21, 2013 23:02:03 GMT 12
Hmm, OK, not quite what I was thinking then. But... Who in their right mind fancies a weekend in Hamilton anyway?
I walked down the main street yesterday in what used to be the CBD, and is now just a restaurant and bar district, and it is utterly filthy. The footpaths are grimy, windows on shops are filthy, the place gives me the creeps. The new paving they put in about a year ago looks like it's 20 years old now, and it seems so odd that the footpath has been designed to be a mishmash patchwork of orange pavers, grey pavers, plain old tar seal and yellow plastic-looking edges in parts. Nothing matches or makes any sense, it's simply unattractive to the max. The old footpath with the meandering river motif was far better, especially condition-wise.
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 22, 2013 8:13:08 GMT 12
Returning to the subject, rather than the topography of Hamilton City, the BOW2013 website is at: www.balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz/31 balloon entrants are listed, so the event is obviously 'on'. I can understand the desire to lift the events profile in Auckland. Unless you are into balloons, from here you would never know the event is taking place. No PR at all. |
|
|
|
Post by Mustang51 on Mar 22, 2013 8:44:25 GMT 12
Young Trevor is coming out from the UK again to undertake the commentary so it had better be on !
|
|
|
|
Post by efliernz on Mar 22, 2013 9:28:45 GMT 12
We did the photography for them for a couple of years... but they used the Hamilton Camera Club last year (cause they were free). I received a heap of emails asking where the photos were after last year... we have had a lot of fun though. They have spread them out this year into other parks - even on day#1 so the "mass ascension" will not be like this again  (shot using my rc heli in 2009)  I'm not sure how much time I will have to shoot them this year due to work-load. They have always looked at better ways to promote the event to the largest possible market - like Auckland being only 70 minutes north. There has always been an "I'm not going to Hamilton" attitude from some of Auckland - usually the loud ones! BOW is on a limited budget so I understand why they singled-out Auckland for their promo. Pete  |
|
|
|
Post by Kereru on Mar 22, 2013 11:00:25 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by efliernz on Mar 22, 2013 11:43:25 GMT 12
I cant imagine me not chasing them around...  Pete |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2013 14:59:01 GMT 12
I have never been to the nightglow or other organised events, but I have always seen them around Cambridge's skies and also operating from Victoria Square during the week, and when I've been to Hamilton around the skyskape over the weeklong event too.
But everyone I know who always goes to nightglow always said the crowds and traffic were really huge and almost a problem. So I am not sure if they have any worries about promoting it. People come out in droves, from what I have heard. It's one of the Waikato's biggest events I believe.
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Mar 27, 2013 13:56:31 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Ykato on Mar 30, 2013 8:11:44 GMT 12
Phone app will help fans track balloons Waikato balloon lovers can scan their phones instead of the sky in their search for the graceful fliers. Balloons Over Waikato event organiser Michele Connell said all pilots will have a GPS device in their balloon and the public will be able to see when and where the balloons are flying, and track their flight history during the event, which starts on Wednesday. Full item here: www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/8488892/Phone-app-will-help-fans-track-balloons |
|
|
|
Post by efliernz on Apr 3, 2013 7:15:49 GMT 12
Just a couple on the way to work... Nothing special It was quite dark when they lifted off and I was late... on the wrong side of the lake. At full 320mm zoom, I had to go with a much higher ISO than liked Oh well. The butterfly looked awesome once the sun came out - and I was miles away! Pete    |
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Apr 3, 2013 7:39:14 GMT 12
Thats so nice.
Keep up the coverage please, so I can drool from a distance.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 3, 2013 7:42:25 GMT 12
Great shots, I love that butterfly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ykato on Apr 4, 2013 22:01:10 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Ykato on Apr 6, 2013 7:58:05 GMT 12
Providing the Weather Improves Significantly By this evening? The ASB Nightglow at Waikato University Saturday 6th April 2013 The University of Waikato 6.00pm-6.15pm: The Red Checkers The current Red Checkers team is made up of 5 senior instructors from the RNZAF’s Central Flying School and Pilot Training Squadron. They fly the highly manoeuvrable New Zealand built CT4-E Air trainer and perform a wide range of formation and solo aerobatics. The team’s history can be traced back to the late 1940’s in Wigram, but they have been flying under the Red Checkers name since 1967. www.balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz/asb-nightglow-at-waikato-university |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 6, 2013 11:04:44 GMT 12
Announced five minutes ago by Balloons Over Waikato, the decision has been made that with weather clearing the Night Glow show will go ahead as planned. Great news.
|
|
(shot using my rc heli in 2009)
