In mid-June 2025 the Cathkin Valley in the Central Drakensberg came alive to the colour and noise of balloons and their burners. On 13 June the Berg Balloon Festival began with a selection of commercial and private balloons flying. There was a little snow visible on the high peaks but it was not really cold. One pilot, Jim from Zim, travelled all the way from Harare to attend the festival. This got things off to a colourful and exciting start. The Berg Air Airfield has an 800m grass runway at an elevation of 4.200 ft. At the Berg Air Lifestyle Centre, there are other attractions that encourage you to spend your money. There is a microbrewery, a chocolate factory, a cheese shop and art gallery among a few other interesting attractions.
Based at the Berg Air Field, the balloons gathered early every morning. Conditions were good and a number of flights took place. The organisers had informed local landowners that there would be flying activities for one week. This is a farming, holiday and tourism area. During the day on Saturday there were a number of musicians providing background music. The final act was the Drakensberg Boys Choir performing in a spectacular setting. As the sun went down, there was a colourful balloon glow to end the day's activities. Most locals were happy and excited to have the balloons in the valley, bringing in visitors to the area.
After the weekend, the 42nd SA National Balloon Championship began on Monday 16 June. This year there were 10 competitors, ranging from old timers to newer, younger pilots. This is most encouraging as things have been stagnant for a while now. It is crucial for the survival of the sport to attract and retain younger people.
A ballooning competition is made up of a number of daily flights. Each flight has 3 or 4 tasks. These tasks have interesting names such as Judge Declared Goal, Fly on, Gordon Bennett Memorial, Minimum Distance, Pilot Declared Goal, Hesitation Waltz, Minimum Distance Double Drop, Hare and Hounds and Watership Down. Essentially, all these tasks revolve around set tasks with targets. The objective is to get as close to the target as possible. Then either an electronic PIN Drop is done or a streamer with a small sandbag one end is dropped. Closest to the marked area, usually a cross, is the winner. Points are allocated according to a formula.
A balloon is a non- steerable, lighter than air aircraft. All are registered on a local register, need annual checks done for airworthiness, pilots all hold a Balloon Pilot licence and are subject to aviation rules like other flying sporting codes. The pilot has control over vertical movement by using the burner to heat the envelope to climb. Allowing the envelope to cool and using the vent judicially, will initiate a descent. Lateral movement is by means of invisible air currents moving in different directions. Within the demarcated competition area, these manoeuvers are the only way to move about.
Each pilot will need a ground crew comprising a vehicle, trailer and inflation fan. One member will be designated as crew chief and will be in charge of the crew in assembling the balloon for flight, carrying out retrieve functions during and after the flight and making sure the packing up process goes well.
Early every morning, at 0600, pilots need to be in the Briefing Room. There the officials will present the morning task. After a short period to look at the task sheet, a verbal briefing takes place. Then it is off to the launch area to prepare the balloon for the upcoming flight. Time lines are tight and certain things need to be done within clearly defined limits. For example, launch by 0715, fly 3 tasks with different targets within a set time and be done by 0845. That is the end of the scoring period. Report back to the briefing room. Then it is time to eat, refuel and have a break before repeating the process at 1500 for the afternoon flight. That is always a challenge in winter with daylight ending around 1715. More refuelling, supper and in bed early.
Spare a thought for our 3 BAFSA (Balloon and Airship Federation of SA) officials. This year, Richard Bovell, Hanke Fourie and Danie Minaar were the people who made this event possible. They are up even earlier than the pilots and their crews. Meeting in the cold morning at the briefing room, they look at weather conditions and try to make an accurate assessment of the tasks that need to be set. It is no easy task to organise an event like this. The organisers are all volunteers and costs are high. The biggest expense is propane. In the past this would be sponsored but those days are over. It is important to have a National Championship in order that the best pilots be identified. Ultimately, this could present the opportunity to represent SA at the World Championships, which are held every 2 years.
Early a Pibal helium balloon is sent up and using a powerful spotlight the direction of the breeze can be determined. This micro climate is not a static environment and it could well be that by the time of briefing things may have changed. The task sheet is decided on, copies are printed, streamers are place at each pilot station and then the teams start arriving for briefing.
Land owner relationships are a critical part of ballooning. Due to the way flights work out it is usually not possible to get permission to land on a field that belongs to another entity. Many people welcome balloonists on the understanding that crops and livestock are not harmed. Game farms are sometimes more difficult. Essentially, all balloonists and their crews are trained to respect the rights of landowners and to create as little disturbance as possible. When it is made know that a particular area is out of bounds, it is marked on our maps in red and called a PZ (Prohibited Zone). Violation of PZ conditions will lead to a reprimand and a penalty. To be avoided at all costs unless there is an emergency.
The competition ended after a morning flight on Friday 20 June. Once all the scores were in the final placings were made known. The winner was Marc Nuttall, followed by Dave Mc Gregor and new pilot Hein van der Merwe. A good time was had by all and good memories will remain long after the event.
Thanks to everyone who contributed photos. The selection will give a good idea of how the event unfolded.
Hot Air Ballooning - Do it at least once in your Life 68
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