Black Sands White Wings
DVD, Format: NTSC, Duration: 25 minutes, Released in 2004
Gliding in New Zealand is largely dependent on the prevailing westerly wind which, when crossing the country's backbone of mountains, provides wave conditions extraordinaire.  Spectacular heights and long distances have been achieved, so much so, that pilots have now run out of land to increase distances flown, much beyond the 2300 kms already attained.  The "Roaring Forties", as New Zealanders know their prevailing wind, constantly flows onto the east coast of both islands, but in recent times pilots have been experimenting with lift that is generated from the sand dunes that prevail along the coastal edge of the North Island. This is the story of the first attempts - there is much more to follow.  The flight takes three Auckland pilots from Raglan to Muriwai and back along the beach for a total distance of more than 200 km (124 miles). 

The glider pilots are:

• Bernie Massey (NC) Std Cirrus
• Steve Wallace (KT) Mosquito
• Murray Wardell (UP) Std Cirrus