The Acrofest 2023 finals took place over Lake Dunstan at the weekend (March 25/26), after being delayed a week due to high winds. 

The event is run by members of the Southern Hang-Gliding and Paragliding Club who are passionate about the aerobatic side of the sport.

Read more: Spectacle over Lake Dunstan this weekend

From a field of 18 entrants, six finalists were judged on the manoeuvres they completed, how cleanly they performed them, the connections between each trick and the accuracy on landing.

First place went to Georges Millet, with Blake Round in second place, and Ben French in third.

Jason Searle took out first place in Novice, with the Acro Freak trophy (awarded to the competitor who is progressing well and pushing themselves to try new things) going to 

Clemence Cadario.

Blake Round, who was also an event organiser, said the competition was a great success.

“Special thanks need to go to the Kiwi Water Park for lending us an inflatable platform for us to land on (or at least attempt to land on)”, he said.

“And to AJ Hackett Bungy for rafts for the backup day”. 

An Acrofest competitor high above Lake Dunstan

Organisers said they plan to make next year’s event bigger and better; a spectacle that all will want to come down and watch.

The dinner and awards ceremony was held at Pisa Moorings on Sunday night (March 26).