ALL eyes will be skywards in Northam in a month’s time when the National Ballooning Championships are contested in the Avon Valley town from August 28 to September 6.
It has been 31 years since Northam hosted the championships so locals are preparing for a huge party with plenty of balloons.
The town previously hosted the competition in 1984 and 1981.
Organising committee chairman Gren Putland said balloon pilots from China, Japan, Russia, the UK and across Australia will compete over five days.
“The championships are all about testing the skills of pilots at varying winds and altitudes rather than speed, in a variety of different challenges,” Mr Putland said.
“Northam is WA’s home of hot air ballooning and to see up to 30 balloons in the skies here over the course of the event will be an incredible treat for spectators and ballooning enthusiasts.”
Competitors include the current Women’s World Hot Air Balloon Champion Nicola Scaife (NSW), five-time Australian champion Paul Gibbs (NSW) and 2014 Australian Champion Matthew Scaife (NSW).
The three West Australians competing in the championships are brothers Andrew, Michael and Peter Clements.
Organisers anticipate two flights per day at dawn and in the late afternoon, weather permitting.
The competition area extends over 40 kilometres north to south, and 30km east to west of Northam with a variation of launch locations depending on weather conditions.
People planning a trip to Northam to enjoy the spectacle are encouraged to visit the event website the night before for the latest information.
The championship will take place over five days with practice flights on August 29 and 30, and the championships running from August 31 to September 4, with a reserve day and the exciting Key Grab at first light on September 5.
Non-competitive flying is likely to take place on September 6.
The Key Grab is a highly skilled challenge where pilots have to literally grab a foam key mounted on top of a 10m pole.
The key represents the key to a prize.
Pilots select a take off point that will allow them to fly a minimum distance to reach the target.
This will take place over the Northam Airfield and will be a highlight for spectators.
A number of community events including exhibitions, expos and performances are being held around the championships, making it a fantastic time to visit Northam and the Avon Valley.
Highlights include the Balloon Glow and Fiesta official launch August 29, the Northam Fiesta and Northam Small Farm and Business Expo on August29-30, the Northam Art Prize and the History of Ballooning display.
The Northam Aero Club is hosting the National Ballooning Championships, which is also actively supported by Shire of Northam, Tourism Western Australia through Royalties for Regions funding, Northam Chamber of Commerce, ABF, Windward Balloon Adventures, Avon Community Development Foundation, Kavanagh Balloons, Santos, Kleenheat Gas, Country Builders WA, the Big Picture Factory, HotFM, and Dowerin Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Services.
For more information go to www.northamnationals.com, email info@northamnationals.com or check out the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ northamnationals.
