About 4 years ago, we were so excited to find out that we could take lessons for hang gliding in Los Angeles. Not tandem, but an actual solo lesson. And it was quite affordable. Flying has always been a passion for both of us. So obviously, we immediately talked Dustin’s dad into taking the class with us. We had so much fun that we’ve been wanting to come back ever since. On our recent visit, we brought our fellow adrenaline-hungry adventurers with us.
STATS:
How to sign up:
Website: Windsports.com
Classes: Windsports offers mini and full beach hang gliding lessons. They also offer tandem flights up in the mountains. Check out their website for more up to date pricing.
Location for beach lesson:
Dockweiler State Beach – 12501 Vista Del Mar, Los Angeles, CA 90293
Coordinates: 33°55’12.5″N 118°25’49.2″W
(Once you go into the parking lot, make a left after the ticketing booth, toward the candy-striped looking smokestacks. There is a small beige trailer located at the end of the parking lot. You can sign in there or go find the instructors near the gliders located right on top of the sand dunes)
Parking:
Parking is $10 on weekdays, $13 on weekends. You can pay at the machines.
Restroom:
The restroom is located downstairs at the beach cafe. From the glider area, if you looking at the beach, it is on the right-hand side, down the walkway.
Estimated Completion Time:
3-4 hours depending on the size of the group
Ideal Weather:
Since it’s in Los Angeles, you can do this year-round. However, summer might be a little warm.
Ideal Time:
The lessons always start at noon. You need to get there at least 15 minutes early.
Weather:
VIDEO:
ABOUT WINDSPORTS:
Windsports was established in 1970 by Joe Greblo and Rich Grigsby. These two pilots came together to teach the sport that they loved so much. Since then, Windsports has been providing training to new pilots as well as tourists in the Los Angeles area for over 40 years. In 2018, Andrew Beem and Josh Laufer took over the company and have continued the tradition of flight excellence. Andrew and Josh are some of the most qualified hang gliding and tandem flight instructors out there.
As far as being veteran goes, Andrew (Andy) has been flying for over 35 years. His passion for flight is one of a kind. He’s also super funny and full of useful tips and tricks. Since Andy has been teaching for a long time, he is a well of flight knowledge.
Josh received his Bachelor’s in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. However, since he started flying in 2008, he can’t get enough of it. Josh is super enthusiastic and willing to teach all of his knowledge. Josh is also a superhuman who can carry the hang glider up the 30 ft sand dune 201 times in one day!
THE ADVENTURE:
On the day of our adventure, we arrived about 30 minutes early since we were super excited. As we wandered over to a glider sitting on top of the sand dune, we saw our awesome instructors Josh and Andy assembling a second glider. When it is a bigger group (max 8 people), they run two gliders instead of one to keep the wait times down. The gliders that we will be using are bigger, slower, and first-timer friendly. For experienced pilots, they tend to use smaller but heavier gliders. These ones are faster, more nimble but also harder to control.
One by one, everyone from our group started to show up. While Andy took the newly assembled glider for a quick test flight, Josh took us across the busy bike path towards the trailer where they keep all the gear. Please be careful when crossing the bike path. There are a lot of either fast bikers or people that are not paying attention to anything else but what is in front of them. We seriously think it’s more dangerous to cross this bike path than the actual hang gliding lesson! Also, don’t forget to fill out your waiver ahead of time. This will save you a lot of time!
Once we made it safely across the bike path and to the small trailer, Josh quickly suited everyone in our group with helmets and harnesses. We couldn’t wait to model our new fancy flight suits. A quick shout out to Windsports for taking extreme care in our safety during COVID-19. They wipe down all equipment with disinfectant after every use, everyone was wearing masks and offered hand sanitizer. Josh and Andy both made us feel very safe the entire time.
Once everyone was all suited up, we made our way back to the gliders. As a small breeze rushed through, the glider’s wings were dancing in the wind, looking like they were as excited as we are about our hang gliding lesson. Josh circled us up for “ground school”, which is a quick lesson we get before our flights.
One interesting thing about hang gliding is that it’s all about relaxing and staying calm. The more relaxed you are, the better you’ll be able to fly. Small and slow movements will give you way better results rather than a panicked jolt in any given direction. I also thought that we would have to do a little leap into the wind to begin the flight. However, according to Josh, all we have to do is run/jog right over the cliff. It sounds kind of scary, but the glider will pick you up and help you glide down the dune. You also have your awesome instructors, running (yes, running) right along with you. It is super safe! (If you happened to fall down as we did, the sand is really soft). Chances are, all you will end up with is shoes and pockets full of sand.
After going over all the necessary instructions and showing us how to clip ourselves onto the glider properly, everyone split up into two groups to start our first flights. As excited as I was, I volunteered to go first. After clipping myself in, Josh helped me straighten out my glider. With Josh barely holding on to my wing, both of us started our jog/run toward the cliff. Even though it was 4 years ago for my last lesson, I still remember the feeling of being lifted up into the air, with the wind in my face. Although I was only above 5 or 6ft above the ground, it was an amazing feeling, soaring through the air.
As I glided down the sand dune, Josh ran beside my glider, making sure it kept its course. On the next flight path over, from the corner of my eye, I could see Andy doing the same for Jekkika. The one thing Josh told me to remember is to keep my eyes on the windsock at the end of the flight path. With hang gliding, your glider leans toward whatever directions you’re looking at. This is similar to indoor skydiving. If you want to turn right, pull your right hand toward you and let go immediately. Same for left. There will be a lag but doesn’t mean you should hold it longer. As our instructors kept reminding us, less is more.
What goes down, must come up. Once we made it down to the beach, we (Josh) had to carry the glider back to the top for the next flyer. Let me tell you, it was a b*tch having to carry that thing back up. Our awesome instructors of course volunteered to do it for us. However, it’s part of the lesson to try to carry this thing yourself. Then, you’ll appreciate all the work your instructors at Windsports have to do. There were 7 of us total, with 4 flights each. That is 28 times running down AND going up that hill. One time was enough for me, let alone 28 times. According to Josh, he and Andy had a contest once to see who could carry the glider up the sand dune the most. Josh said he was the winner with 201 times. He made sure to emphasize that extra 1 after 200. If it was me, I would make sure to count that 1 too!
Everyone took their turn flying down the sand dune. With each lesson, Josh and Andy slowly introduce new techniques so we wouldn’t get overwhelmed. We all had an amazing time with our instructors. Josh and Andy are super knowledgable and funny. At the end of our hang gliding lesson, Josh put on a little performance for us. He glided down the sand dune, standing on the glider’s hang bar. It was pretty cool to watch! We want to give a shout out to our group of adventurers: J.Vu, Jen Jen, Jekkika, Natalie, and Anh! They did amazing!! We can’t wait until they open back up the Mountain Tandem session. It’s going to be an amazing adventure!
If you’re an adrenaline adventurer, we recommend taking this hang gliding lesson. First, you’re supporting small local businesses and fellow adventurers. Second, it’s super fun to fly by yourself and to learn the techniques of hang gliding. Third, you’ll appreciate it more once it comes to tandem flight. Last, you might fall in love with it! So go on, check out Windsports! Tell them we sent you!!
Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our Youtube channel, and sign up for our newsletter!
RECOMMEND GEAR:
These are the gear that we personally use and find them helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
The majority of these links are through our affiliate links so if you buy something, it is at no extra cost for you but it helps us support the site. That being said, don’t buy something just to support us, buy something if you think it will enhance your travels and adventures.
• Long pants
You’ll be in a harness, please don’t wear skirts or dresses.
• Dress in layers
It might get cold in the cooler months, wear layers so you can take it off/ put back on easily.
• Comfortable running shoes
You’ll have to hike back up the sand dune multiple times so don’t wear sandals.
• Face mask
During COVID-19, you need to wear your face mask.
• Snacks/Lunch
There’s no food facility around.
• Sunscreen
There is no shade. We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen, All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter – Zinc Oxide – Coral Reef Safe, and All Good Sport Sunscreen Lotion – Coral Reef Safe (3 oz)(2-Pack) or Stream2Sea SPF 30 Reef Safe Sport Tinted Sunscreen.
• Water
It can get VERY warm. Brings lots of water.
• Beach chair/towels/sunglasses
You usually wait between turns, so bring something you can sit on.
CAMERA GEAR:
• Camera:
Sony a7 III
Gopro Hero 7 Black
• Lenses:
Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens
• Accessories:
GoPro The Handler Floating Hand Grip – Official GoPro Mount
Aluminum GoPro protection frame
SandMarc Extended GoPro Pole
Hybrid Pro Filters – DSLR / Mirrorless
Cinema CPL Filter – HERO 9
