Cats five, sorry to hear your launches at Shenners were not so high as we manage these days, with the Skylaunch (like the nice one depicted earlier in this thread).
The farmer has permitted us to extend width of runways, and use the entire triangle midfield, but some runs are still shorter than others.
A nice headwind, say 15 knots, can help as well.
But if its a good day and I seriously want to go soaring X-country, I admit I would shell out for an airtow (we have a very good Chipmunk tow plane) and expect the tug pilot to deliver me to a 6 knot thermal under a nice fluffy cu.
The winch simply lobs you up and its partly luck if there is a decent thermal available nearby....but we locals know the sweet spots, just off our ridge.
I will be away now for 9 days helping with our Regional Competition, which will be all airtow as is the custom for comps. And will communicate again when it is over, so hoping for good weather with lots of bumpy air!
Mary