Skyout Quick Snap: Overcoming Your First Big Thermal
Let’s talk about your first real thermal. Imagine you’ve just launched off the ridge at Piedechinche and you spot that patch of sky tucked under a cloud. Your heart pounds. Your focus sharpens. Right? That’s exactly what “first-thermal jitters” feel like. Here’s how to turn those nerves into confidence:
Spot the Signs Before committing, scan for telltale cues— other gliders, birds spiraling, dust devils on the ground, or a shimmering heat haze. Those are your green lights.
Commit with Intent Once you see lift, pull just enough brake to feel the wing load up. Don’t half-commit—lean into it and keep your weight centered.
Small Turns First Break your first turn into 2–3 gentle, half-width arcs. That keeps you close to core lift and gives you room to bail if you hit sink.
Breathe & Build Box-breathe: inhale–hold–exhale–hold (4 seconds each). It calms your mind so you can feel subtle pressure changes in the risers.
Celebrate the Climb As you rise into that first 100 m of thermal, give yourself a mental high-five. You just unlocked the door to true XC freedom.
Ready to try it? Next time you’re on the ridge in Colombia, spot that blue patch, lean in, and own your first big thermal. You’ve got this!