Just Started Lessons with Klaus at oxygen paragliding. The First day was windy and all the other instructors went home. Klaus did some ground school with us in a simulator that we hung from a tree. The conditions were challenging for kiting 12-15 knts, but very good to experience. Klaus ensured that we understood how to be safe. Got pulled around a bit, fell a couple times, but quickly learned to manage the kite with his instruction. We made the most of a day that could have been canceled. Being that Sat. and Sun. only happen once a week this is important for me as a student. The next weekend we did a couple training flights on the bunny hill, then moved up to the 300' hill. Klaus mentioned that he wanted to organize trips for his students this year that go to actual sites with mountain flying conditions. This is a super plus for me, because I plan to travel and fly in Europe. Klaus intends to make sure his students are the safest and most prepared for the real world of flying. After 5 flights from 300' Klaus took us up to 1700' launch to learn about the launch site, and to watch him launch and fly from the site. The other student and I benefited greatly from watching him fly. This past weekend we were chomping at the bit to fly again, but the wind direction prevent a safe launch. Another lesson learned. We spent the day kiting again.. Some students may be frustrated with this, but we all had a great time, and learned a lot about handling the wing. It is very clear that a solid foundation of kiting is essential. Got to fly a bit in the puffs. watch out for cow patties!!! Really looking forward to earning my P2 and beyond with Klaus. I race sail boats, and I appreciate Klaus's direct instruction. This is flying that we are talking about, there is that whole thing called the ground and gravity! It's a really fun environment, down to earth, and we are always joking around. Oh and finding big sticks for his dog to play with! If you plan to get into this sport I would highly recommend Klaus. His local and international experience gives students a more complete understanding of the world of paragliding. He travels and flies very challenging sites, and this is reflected in the instruction. If you want to fly, Find Klaus!! read more

I certified P2 with Klaus several years ago and have since come to appreciate how lucky I was to have him as my instructor. Although I continue to learn more about paragliding every year, Klaus provided a great foundation for me to work with. Paragliding has become a huge passion of mine and I can't say enough about Klaus' dedication to his students (and former students). He worked hard with me for several months to get me trained during a period when I had very limited free time, and introduced me to a sport that I have since become entirely obsessed with. In retrospect, Klaus was a good choice for me for many reasons. He is a skilled pilot with years of experience on many different gliders and he has flown all over the world. He is a motivated and talented teacher, and a down-to-earth, fun individual. He is enthusiastic about sharing the sport with others and very active in the flying community, frequently organizing local and international flying events, pioneering new launch sites, and searching for new learning opportunities for his students. He provides individualized instruction and tailors his sessions to your skill level and abilities, always with an emphasis on safety and fun. He is also budget-conscious and will work with you to help find reasonably-priced equipment without the salesmanship that you might encounter elsewhere. Moreover, he is a great springboard into the larger paragliding world and will be a lifelong resource for you in the future as you continue to progress. If you're looking for personalized instruction in the Bay Area, you can't go wrong with Oxygen Paragliding. read more

I got into paragliding based on an impulse tandem flight while on holidays in Switzerland last year (2011). I came back with a resolution to learn to fly the darn thing. I found out about the Ed Levin Park site on the Internet and I met Klaus from Oxygen Paragliding there. This turned out to be a great choice as Klaus knows his stuff cold and is also very safety conscious (compared to some other instructors from what I've seen). He also doesn't mind teaching you the more advanced stuff early on if he sees that you can benefit from it, at no extra charge. He also knows a lot about foreign flying spots on practically all continents (Annecy seems to be one of his favorites) including details like where to find good places to stay. As I'd like to go to the Alps again, I find this kind of advice very useful. It's important in paragliding to get your kiting skills down solid, and Klaus lent me a wing for several weeks just for ground practice on my own. This helped me _a lot_, as I was no good at it at all. My specialty was letting the wing drag me all over the launch site. I'm saying all this so that you know what you - and the instructor - have to go through. All in all, I had a BLAST!! I got my P2 recently, bought a wing, and now I can't wait for my weekend flights! And I still see Klaus there and he still doesn't mind throwing helpful hints at me. Well, I do take his dog for a run around the park now and then so I guess we have a deal :-) read more

I just started taking classes with Klaus at Oxygen Paragliding a few months ago -- and I'll be ready for my P2 rating in no time! This has been a truly great experience. Klaus is not only an exceptional paraglider himself, but he's a great teacher. He's personable, funny and hands-on with practical tips. If you're having a hard time putting a certain concept into practice, he slows things down and patiently explains both the theory and practice and then shows by example. He doesn't push you further than you're ready to go (or he thinks you're ready to go). He puts safety first and wants to make sure that you're confident and competent in handling the glider on the ground and during launch as well as in the air. He's even putting together some weekend trips for us with other instructors, their students and fellow paragliders so we can meet more folks in the paragliding community as well as familiarize ourselves with different launch sites in California -- how awesome is that! I had the chance to try out a few other local instructors before deciding to go with Oxygen, and I know that Klaus is by far the best choice! read more

I took Paragliding lessons from Oxygen Paragliding last summer.I can tell you that I have learned a whole lot about what to do and what not to do since then, and always felt like safety and professional instruction was their first priority. Learning how to fly is not something to take lightly!! In the process of my hands on training,I have met other instructors at the training sites and always felt that I was really fortunate to have chosen Oxygen over some of the other less personal and sometimes moody instructors I have come across. Since becoming certified to fly on my own, I have maintained a personal relationship with them when I see them, and I feel like I still learn from them today,even though my formal instruction to become a P2 pilot has been completed. They also helped me choose the right gear and equipment for my current abilities and I am enjoying becoming a better pilot everyday! read more

I'm an experienced paraglider so this review is from an on-looker perspective after several years: Klaus at Oxygen Paragliding has a personal connection and interest in each student. His commitment to transferring safe behaviour along with flight skills goes way beyond just the lessons. As an example - his mountain trips are always open to earlier graduates, and the guidance given at launch and during those flights reflects his lasting connection with each individual. Over years I've seen in his students: Good kiting Safe flying, Mental capacity to say "not this time", and most important, readiness to learn more. After years they still reconnect with Klaus for equipment, tips and trip info. Joel - for info on Bencia or Vallejo CA flying & Tandems call 707-you-soar read more

I worked with Klaus to get my P2 rating last fall. Klaus is an extremely knowledgable and passionate teacher. He has experience flying all over the world and brings this perspective for his students. Lots of bay area pilots and instructors have limited experience outside of the area so can't share these kind of insights. Klaus is extremely good at measuring a students skills and judging what is good for them. He never lets a student launch in conditions which are too dangerous for them. Klaus is also knowledgable about a variety of flying sites around the bay area and within a short drive. He makes an effort to introduce students to many of these sites so that they can come back and enjoy them safely. I definitely recommend Klaus as an instructor or tandem pilot. read more

I just had my first day of instruction, and It was by far one of the funnest things I have ever done!!! Just working on the ground, learning to go with the wing was amazing. I'm planning to stick with it and one day travel around the world paragliding in as many places as I can. I have to admit, Klaus is a superb teacher, he knows paragliding so well, It seems hes the one who invented it (it was actually invented by some people in europe). I can't wait for my next lesson and learning more about this fantastic sport/art. For any one who thinks they might be curious, just give Klaus a call, and give it a go. I promise you will have the time of your life! read more

Klaus and Joel are A+ paragliding teachers. If you are looking for one of the most liberating experiences of your life, give these guys a call! Nothing compares to soaring above the rolling hills we've got here in the bay area. The instruction you'll get at oxygen is very thorough, and you will keep the skills for a lifetime. If you opt for a tandem flight, you can just kick back and enjoy the ride. No worries. They do a great job of making sure conditions are safe, so that your flight is as smooth as posssible. read more

Great Tandem Flight. Klaus is a pro. I'm an experienced pilot in ultra-light aircraft. Klaus displayed complete glider/pilot integration. He knew what it could do and pushed the equipment to give me a real thrill, as I requested. He gave a clear understanding of my responsibilities at no time was I nervous, scared or confused. If you're thrilled by the old rickety wooden roller coaster feeling, he's not for you. He all about precision and control. And for me that's fun. read more

The Instructor of Instructors. Klaus is not only a great guy but a master on free flight and everything related with it. Got a bunch of important information and help to achieve my goal (T-3 rating). Learned a lot about the US methods of teaching new students, FAA regulations, weather, etc, etc... Klaus I am very fortunate to have you as a friend, pilot-buddy, instructor-guide... Thank you so much for all the advice. See you soon the hill near you! read more