It's a sport that challenges the mind, as well as Mother Nature. Gliders are pulled aloft by a rope secured to a tow plane. After reaching the appropriate altitude, the sailplane pilot releases the tow rope and the challenge of staying in the air is on. On Long Island, we have thermal convection that provides the lift. It's up to the pilot to use his intelligence and skills to find the lift.
Thermal lift is dependent on solar energy.
When the earth is heated by the sun, it warms the air causing it to rise and create columns called thermals. The goal is to find the thermals that are rising faster than the force of gravity. Once the pilot determines where the thermals are, the glider can soar to new altitudes. Anybody can push the throttle down on a plane and make it fly because the machine is doing the work. Soaring takes skill and knowledge.