My guess is that the poor winch driver is a glider pilot himself/herself most of the time? Just taking a turn on the rota.
In my case the winch driver was me an impoverished student and lowly member of the gliding club who spent an entire day winching (and mending cable breaks) in return for a quick circuit in the K7 at dusk.
Often got : nah it's too dark now.
Gave up gliding and G Club membership soon afterwards.
Cusco