Lately I've been doing a lot of daredevil activities and came across hang gliding. I previously did paragliding at La Jolla it was okay but hang gliding seemed to be more fun and extreme. I arrived at the glider port and then the instructor who was very nice Andy the owner came. We took a 40m drive to the glider port the team set everything up. Watched video on a iPad for quick training it was very simple instructions even kids can learn. We were up 35-40 high went fast, circled around and landed on the ground safe. Willie was my tandem pilot his landing style is very graceful and you land on your feet while Andy the former airplane pilot expert likes to land on wheels it was pretty cool. I'm really excited to get home and watch the gro pro footages of our mountain tandem hang gliding. read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - Time for Learn to hang glide!!! - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

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Had so much fun hang gliding today. We took off at a little over 3500 feet and were able to climb to over 4000 feet. We were higher than the airplanes on landing approach to Burbank airport. We flew with some turkey vultures in the area. This is the closest experience to flying like a bird. My instructor has flown over 10000 flights so I was in good hands. The video is of Alice landing after me. She landed on her feet and my instructor landed on the wheels. I will post the go pro footage later. Another great adventure! read more

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Hang gliding is amazing. I flew for many years flying in Sylmar is Just a fantastic place to fly launching from Kagel Mountain and flying in the slopes looking out across the San Fernando Valley Simi Valley towards the ocean is a sight few see. I recommend hang gliding to anybody. It's not for thrill seekers like you might think it's for people that just wanna fly. I recommend it much safer than you think and an amazing experience. You'll make friends for life and memories that will last a lifetime. read more

Hang Gliding has been on my must-do for decades, and for my husband and I's anniversary, it was time to choke up the cash and make it happen. It's quite expensive, but once you see all that's involved to get up there and take flight, it makes a lot more sense. Andy was a complete pro and very kind. We got to learn more about the sport and it was much more thrilling than parasailing. Unfortunately, we both got motion sickness almost immediately when we hit the air. I wish I would've taken something before going up, but I just didn't know. That for sure tainted the experience, so if you know yourself to get motion sickness occasionally, consider taking something just as a precaution. Please note, this has nothing to do with the company- they were fabulous and took care of us. My tandem instructor listened to me and adjusted our flight path to make it easier on my nausea. They were great. We're both so glad we finally got to experience this! read more

Bob and Andy are consummate professionals. You WILL feel safe in their hands. My 72 year old father was incredibly well taken care of, and Bob and Andy are so gentle and good at instruction. Totally recommend. read more

Good: The instructors we flew were very experienced and nice. Great experience for first time gliders. We enjoyed the trip. Bad: We only received partial videos of our flight, so we contacted the owner, Andy, for the rest of the videos. We emailed and left messages MANY TIMES (over a month) but never got any response from him. We are upset that we did not get the full extent of what we paid for and even more upset about his unprofessional choice to continuously ignore us. He picked up our call on the first ring the day we were flying, so we know he is intentionally avoiding us at this point. Very disappointed about the absence of communication to address their mistake. read more

Best day of my life!! Josh and Adam were the most kind, down to earth people I have ever come across! Hang gliding is amazing!!!! It's a subtle, smooth take off and then you are soaring in the sky. It's unbelievable and breath taking, truly. I think I might be addicted! I felt safe, secure, and at ease throughout the entire glide. Can't wait to come back again! Oh yeah, Josh and his team also helped plan the best proposal of all time in the sky for my fiance and I! They pulled it off and I was so surprised! So yeah do yourself a favor, and book this experience. Don't compare it to anything else, it is it's own entity of adventure :) read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

Andy is cool, professional, patient, & very informative. I flew in from Mesa, Az, just to hang glide here, & I did 2 flights in 2 days & they were AWESOME! I will definitely be coming back!!! I highly recommend you taking some tandem flights, or training courses here to become a hang glider pilot. read more

Needed to do something EPIC on my bday and the Windsports team delivered! It was so awesome meeting the team and their energy definitely matches with mine so that was a HUGE plus on my end. They are professional and FUN groups!! I had a tandem with Andy! Thanks for the fun, safe, unforgettable experience! Highly recommend them!! If you are nervous about trying hang gliding, give them a try. They will definitely make you feel at ease! From taking off to landing. read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

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I first gained interest in this when I saw their beach dune hang gliding...but after looking at the mountain option--I had to do that one instead! I live in Texas & had a group join me in to Cali for my bday. One decided to do it with me & the other two decided to be spectators. It was perfect, because the spectators had a nice park-like place to relax, send us off & capture our landings so they could be a part of the experience too. Both of our pilots were great--felt safe the entire time & enjoyed every minute of it! And I purchased the Go Pro Reel option too--Josh went above & beyond to put together an amazing reel that captured my entire experience--including my loved ones that joined and our instructors! If you're thinking about it--stop thinking & sign up already! You won't regret it!! read more

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Had my first hang gliding experience with Adam yesterday. All I can say is WOW!!! Adam is a great instructor and was so patient with me. Excited to see the video. Can't wait to fly again! read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

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Wonderful experience! Great instructors who are very experienced, professional and fun! You have to check it out! read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - Soaring! - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

Great little adventure. My wife and our 3 daughters, ages 14, 17 and 20 thoroughly enjoyed our time with Josh and would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for some fun. My youngest was a little nervous, but Josh is very knowledgeable and welcoming. After her first flight, she loved it. We also had 2 others from another group and enjoyed our time with them as well. Head on over and enjoy your day at the beach. When you done, there are plenty of restaurants nearby to enjoy and review all the videos you shot throughout the day. read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

I had an absolutely outstanding adventure taking my first flight lesson with Windsports Hang Gliding this past July 4th. My son and I were warmly welcomed by everyone when we arrived at the field on Monday afternoon. There was sense of comraderie amongst the members of the flight club. The ride to the top of the mountain was also an adventure in and of itself. Such majestic and beautiful views in all directions. Josh was my instructor and was a great guide and mentor throughout the entire experience. This crew of professionals is highly recommended. read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - Glider - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

I took a tandem lesson with Josh yesterday at Kagel Mountain and it was absolutely amazing! I have dreams every once in a while over the years in which I am flying through tree canopies in the mountains and feel untethered and totally free. I needed something thrilling to reinvigorate my spirit and thought hang gliding would be the closest proximation to my exhilarating dreams and to being a bird. Highly recommend! read more

I started my journey to free flight with Windsports about 3 years ago, and haven't regretted it once. In that time I've been to several flying sites in multiple states and I've gotten a sense of what many other major schools are like. I'm confident that no one does it with the level of safety, knowledge, and professionalism of Windsports. I cannot stress how thankful and relieved that I am to have had the opportunity to learn from some of the best pilots and instructors in the world. If you want to learn to fly, or if you just want to give it a try with a tandem, pick Windsports! read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - Instructor Josh Laufer launching at Yosemite (Glacier Point) - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

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If your bucket list doesn't have flying on it, is it really a bucket list? Whether you were cruising the boardwalk and saw the grand wings of the condor gliding down the sand dunes, or like me you stumbled on a video of someone flying one of these things, you probably thought one thing - That looks fun! As someone who has done both the beach flights and the mountain tandems I can confirm, this is something you'll remember for the rest of your life. Whichever one you decide, the instructors make sure you feel safe and having a great time from start to end. It's impossible to be in a bad mood when you have flying superpowers! I would highly recommend getting videos, which you will end up watching over and over again. Now go do it! read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - mountain tandem - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

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I had a good time! Josh was a great instructor - patient, friendly, and personable. I took the intro beach lesson and it is good for first-timers who want exposure to the very basics. The main reason I can't rate higher than 4 stars, however, is that the duration and depth of instruction fell short of my expectations. Although the fine print said to allot 3-4 hours for the experience, mine was around 1 hour and 45 minutes. The more accurate measure to go by would be 7 flights, each of which is maybe 30 seconds tops. The lesson has the potential to run longer if you are waiting in a rotation with several other students. I would have loved for the chance to practice more of the skills Josh teaches (e.g., steering, deceleration and landing), but it felt more like a cursory introduction. I do appreciate that Josh lets you have a hand in setup of the hang glider and he is more than willing to answer any questions you have. TL;DR: fun new experience, just wish it were longer/had better yield for the $$. read more

Just went on my first tandem flight lesson today and had an absolute blast. I flew with instructor Josh who was a great guide into learning the basics of hang gliding. I highly recommend checking Windsports out if you're interested in a fun and unique experience like I always am. read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

Such an amazing experience! Josh and Adam were great instructors and pilots. We were able to ride the thermals high above the mountain where we launched from for spectacular views and thrilling flying. There were times I got butterflies when we would pick up speed and did get a little motion sick towards the end so I will probably take Dramamine next time, but most of the time I was able to completely relax in the harness and truly enjoy flying like a bird over beautiful mountains with Downtown LA and Catalina island in the distance. If you are thinking about doing it just do it!! read more

My partner really wanted to get a group together last year for hang gliding for his birthday (Dec 24th), but it just never happened and I kept that in my back pocket for this year! I made the booking online and it was a super easy and straight forward process. And the price? Get outta here! For a half day session and all the instruction, advice, care, and interest the instructor gave us, it was well worth the price. I set up a little chair with blankets and snacks nearby and felt very included while I sat and watched him just have the time of his life. (It was also really fun to have all these people come and watch him fly, making him feel really special and a little like a celebrity.) He loved his lessons and has already expressed an interest in continuing to take lessons, which is also great because they have special deals if you continue to take lessons! (And just from my own experience as a worry-wort, I really appreciated how much care was taken in the instruction and safety. It was only exciting to watch him fly and I wasn't anxious in the least watching him.) Thank you so much, Bob, and everyone at Windsports!! Absolutely recommending to everyone and making all our friends jealous! read more

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Had a spectacular day gliding on the beach with Andy! Took a full lesson and learned so much. Highly recommend for beginners or pilots wanting more practice, he's very knowledgeable and prioritizes safety above all else. What a fun, memorable experience! read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

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I got a gift certificate for my birthday for a tandem flight and had seen their location near El Segundo for years doing flights off the dunes. Yesterday (11/27/22) I finally did my tandem and man it was fun. First off, Josh who was the pilot is a very laidback guy so that is a great energy to start with. Everyone else who was there also had a great and inclusive vibe which is nice as things like this can be very clicky but this again was not the case. It was easy to arrange a flight and the only thing to worry about would be wind conditions, but they were in our favor yesterday. It is a very secure feeling when harnessed in and in flight. The movement of the glider is effortless and finding the updrafts while following the ridgeline was fascinating. Josh even pointed out a turkey hawk (pretty sure that's what he called it) has a way to find the updraft because that is what birds do to circle. After that we did a series of cool aggressive turns, dives and stalls (he called it the rollercoaster) which showed how well the glider performed then in for a landed. A great time and I highly recommend. read more

amazing flight experience it's a transformative adventure highly recommend read more

My story: started taking classes in the summer and earned hang 1 and hang 2 ratings by the end of the year. In my experience, Windsports is a good school to learn hanggliding. I feel safe with the instructors and trust they know what they're doing. Their method of progressing students is structured in a way that makes sense, they do not let people do anything they're not ready for. They're nice, accommodating, and communicative. I feel like I'm getting a deluxe experience. It's not cheap, but worth it. If you are willing to put real effort into training and learning, they will support you. MT tandem flights from kagel are fun, you can rest assured it will be a great time. read more

I had a great time hang gliding for the first time with Windsports! Andy and Josh run a terrific business and both are very attentive to the needs of the customer. Their sense of humor helps take the edge off if you are the least bit apprehensive and they are extremely careful and thorough with their pre-flight checks and protocols! I wouldn't change a thing! For all the time, preparation and experience that goes into the experience, the value is incredible! They do an excellent job! I would absolutely, highly recommend Windsports Hang Gliding to anyone interested in experiencing a memorable hang gliding adventure! read more

I participated in the hang gliding training session for the first time, with four others newbies. The training instructors were friendly and helped us relax, so that we could enjoy our first experience with hang gliding. They were encouraging and always concerned for our safety. If you've ever considered a new adventure, Josh and Bob will set new to new heights! read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - Hang gliding gear: helmet and harness - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

What an amazing experience! Andy is an excellent teacher and I had a blast! I I highly recommend this adventure : ) read more

All the instructors were present minded & great vibes. I enjoyed the connection since it was my first time giving this a try and considering I was alone. I loved the passion behind what they do and inspired me to keep going! Thank you for the wonderful experience. Definitely a personal highlight going into this new year ! read more

I saw an article in the Los Angeles Times about hang gliding a few years ago and decided to give it a try. I thought I would start by taking a tandem flight with Windsports. Let me start out by saying that everyone is so friendly and professional that they will put you at ease immediately, making you wonder what took you so long to book a flight with them in the first place. The flight was probably the most exciting and exhilarating experience of my life. The scenery is so mesmerizing and overwhelming as you fly over the local mountains near Sylmar. After this tandem flight, I was hooked and started training so that I could fly myself. The flight starts with a trip up the mountain in a van with other pilots. I believe it was about 35-40 minutes or so. The flight instructor was very professional and made the whole experience feel safe. They will go over everything with you and even show you how to fly and steer the aircraft. All you need to do is fill out a 1-page waiver, slip on a jumpsuit and you're ready to go. I was so caught up in the experience, I can't remember how long the flight was, but I believe it was around 30 minutes. The landing was very smooth - on wheels just like an airplane in a grassy field. I did end up purchasing the flight video/pics and it was definitely worth it. Windsports really puts customer service first and they know how to make a bucket list item really special. Based on my experience I believe everyone should try hang gliding. You will not regret it! read more

Did first beach lesson on my way to get my Hang-Glider-1 rating and it was fantastic. Last 2 flights flew over 50 yards. Andy and Adam are master hang glider instructors. I went from trepidation to feeling great about my increasing skill level. Highly recommended. read more

I took my son hang gliding for his birthday. It was awesome! The instructors were super enthusiastic and friendly. It's a sweet feeling when you get airborne. And you can't ask for a better setting, floating above the sand next to the glistening ocean. Many thanks to all the instructors, and shout out to Drew who's on his instructor path. read more

Had a blast on my first flight. For a moderate wind day, I really got some good distance going down the dune. Josh was a pro & great teacher. This was my first experience with hang gliding and it's amazing how the massive glider felt so light & responsive. I would definitely recommend going with the full lesson with 7 flights because the time flies by and 4 flights is not enough to practice. We had a group of 3 and it took just under a couple hours- two of the participants did the 4-flight lesson and we're done even sooner. Went on a Wednesday & the beach was fairly empty on a beautiful day. Great place to be! read more

I believe I can fly! After my beach lesson, I wanted to try the Sylmar experience and WOW! Once again, Windsports (and Andy) provided a wonderful and memorable journey through the skies. I felt completely safe under Andy's leadership and I learned so much. Hang gliding is exhilarating and peaceful and I loved every second. I didn't want it to end! If you want the best flying experience, you've found it here with Windsports. Safe. Professional. Patient. Kind. Thoughtful. Friendly. Fun. Thank you Andy. Thank you Windsports. See you soon! #FlyLikeAnEagle #WindBeneathMyWings #ComeFlyWithMe #ThanksAndy read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - #SoaringOverCalifornia #WindBeneathMyWings #FlyLikeAnEagle - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

Awesome way to spend an afternoon at the beach. Both of the instructors were incredibly knowledgeable and patient, and the other students were fun to hang out with and talk to. It's a very safe environment to learn in - flights are short and you never get very high above the ground, and the sand is soft if you have a hard landing. Highly recommended. read more

My first tandem hang gliding flight with Andy was everything I hoped it would be...exciting as well as tranquil. The entire Windsport crew were professional, helpful, reassuring, and friendly. Thank you Joe, Josh, Jarrod, and especially Andy. Andy made me feel at ease before, during, and after our flight. He had a great personality! We had to drive up the mountain for about 30 minutes. I didn't realize how high we were going to be. The latter part of the drive was a long and windy road..which just added to the adventure ahead. Once we got up to the top, Andy gave me some quick flying tips and we were on our way up. I was a bit nervous taking the first running steps off the mountain but once airborne, it was all good! The views and the feeling of soaring was fantastic! Andy let me "take over" the hang glider for a few minutes, which was very cool. One person said it best on a previous post..."Now I know why birds sing." Tips: 1. To fully enjoy your flight I would definitely suggest you take some kind of motion sickness pills an hour before your flight. I get motion sickness so I knew I had to take something. I'm so glad I did because I would not have had such a great experience without it...neither would have Andy for that matter :) 2. Go Pro - you can get your Go Pro mounted on the hang glider for a fee or pay a bit more and just use theirs (that's what I did). If you're gonna do it, you might as well get a video of it. 3. You get strapped on to a sort of harness vest. It had a zipper pouch for you to keep your keys or phone in. 4. If you're on the fence about tandem hang gliding, just go for it. I think it was a worth while experience. HOOK IN! read more

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Did a mini lesson with a friend for her bday and I giggled every time I caught air. So fun Just bring sunscreen and sun coverage - you're totally exposed on a sunny day! read more

What an AMAZING experience! The entire support team was absolutely phenomenal and helped make our first flight lesson one to remember! Thank you! read more

Windsports Hang Gliding - Flight Instruction Near Me - Sylmar, California

Friendly, knowledgeable instructors! You're having much fun and before you know it, you are really flying.

My daughter chose this as her 16th birthday gift and had the BEST time! (My husband actually did a lesson a few years back and loved it, too). Instructors Bob and Grace were awesome! Super patient, gave clear instructions - totally trusted them to take care of my kiddo. Such a fun day. Highly recommend. Thank you, Windsports! read more