Australians to cross the Bass Strait by Paramotor

[paramotormag]

Approximately 240 km wide, the Bass Strait separates Tasmania from Victoria in southern Australia. Like the rest of the waters surrounding Tasmania, and particularly because of its shallow depth (around 50 m), it is notoriously rough. A group of three Australian paramotorists is planning to cross it en vol in April or May 2010, "before some overseas pilot thinks of stealing our thunder", says Rizzo (Rob Riswick), one of the pilots.

The crossing from Cape Otway to the Smithton airport in Tasmania is approximately 260 kilometres and the three pilots estimate it will take almost 5 hours, given the right weather conditions.

You will be able to follow the pilots' progress on their crossing as they will be using SPOT systems, and the team are envisaging a great deal of media interest.

So far they have secured sponsorship from JPX Italy, who are helping with engine equipment for the event. They also have the support of many sectors of the paraglider and paramotor community in Australia including the Pico Club, the largest paramotor club in Australia.

You can keep up to date with developments for the task ahead by joining their Google group, http://groups.google.com.au/group/picolitebassstraight