Several members of the Northwest Paragliding Club practiced "kiting" on Harbor Avenue at Alki Beach Sunday, June 28.

The eye-catching gliders stopped traffic and pedestrians in their tracks. Two club members, Betsy Scolnik and Tim Walsh live in West Seattle.

"What we are doing is called 'kiting' or 'ground handling,'" Scolnik, who had a bright orange paraglider, explained, describing their method of practicing, which involved jumping three feet into the air and leaping off picnic tables and benches while getting blown around in the wind coming off the bay.

"Mine is a 'speedwing,'" said Walsh of his blue paraglider, slightly shorter than Scolnik's. "We glide off Tiger Mountain in Issaquah," said Walsh.

Added Scolnik, "It's safer than riding a bicycle."

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