When I was a little girl, I had vivid dreams of flying like a bird. Taking hang-gliding lessons with Kitty Hawk Kites in the Outer Banks of North Carolina is the closest I’ve ever gotten to that feeling in real life! That moment when you rise into the air and feel free as a bird is one that will stick with you forever! As the ground slowly dropped beneath me and the wind kissed my face, I realized that the thrill of hang-gliding with Kitty Hawk Kites was going to be hard to beat!
The Venue For Hang-Gliding Lessons
I arrived a little early at Jockey’s Ridge State Park to sign up for a GoPro video and introduce myself to the instructors. Jockey’s Ridge is home to the tallest living sand dunes on the Atlantic coast and is a renowned location for hiking, kites, sightseeing, and sunsets, with expansive views arcing from the ocean to Roanoke Sound. It’s the perfect setting for hang-gliding lessons!
Our Instructors
Wolf introduced himself to me and signed me up for my GoPro video. He’s an impressive young man with long wavy blond hair and a beard. Wolf is built like a Viking, and later, I understood why. He told me that he lost 50 lbs going up and down the sand dunes all day during his first summer as a guide with Kitty Hawk Hikes! It’s hard to believe that that was only four years ago because his confidence and leadership are remarkable.
Our other instructor was an enthusiastic and sweet millennial named Megan. Megan is also Sales Coordinator for the Hang-Gliding School. She explained that Kitty Hawk Kites has 17 locations just on the Outer Banks and a total of 28 locations on the east coast! I asked her what her favorite part of being a hang-gliding guide is. She paused to think for a moment, then said, “It’s seeing that smile on someone’s face on that first flight when they realize they can fly! It’s priceless!” It was only about an hour and a half later that I truly understood what she meant. I think I’m still smiling from the experience of hang-gliding lessons!
Preflight Instruction
Our preflight instruction only took about half an hour. Wolf gave us a brief history of hang gliding and set our expectations for the rest of the session. He also patiently explained the three most important rules:
- Relax
- Look ahead (where you want to go)
- Listen to your instructor.
There were ten of us spread out on the outdoor deck near the museum. We ranged in ages, and most of the others were from the surrounding States. All of us wore masks and were careful about social distancing. I never once felt unsafe due to COVID or during our flights.
Preparing for Our First Flights
We had to walk over half a mile through the thick sand and uphill to the launch site. I already had somewhat wobbly legs due to a morning yoga session and realized that perhaps I should have reserved my energy for hang-gliding. Regardless, about twenty minutes later, we were all assembled on the bluff, checking our gear and excited for our first flights. Wolf asked us who wanted to go first, and it was very quiet. So, I volunteered to go first! It was time!
My Virgin Flight as a Hang-Glider
I connected my carabineer to the three straps on the hang-glider and then laid down on my belly as instructed. Wolf checked my connections and then checked my positioning. It’s essential to keep the bar under your chin. If you push away from your body, the point of the hang-glider goes up, and you’ll stall in mid-air. If you pull it in too close, you go faster and higher. You’re supposed to keep limp wrists, like a T-Rex or Vilasraptor!
They asked me to stand up, and Wolf and Megan both stood beside me, each holding a tether. It was time, and my heart was pounding! I ran fast to get up some speed and then held the position as the wind caught my wings and my legs rose behind me. Suddenly, I was flying! I looked straight ahead and could hear the wind rushing past my ears. After a few seconds, Wolf yelled out to push away so the nose would rise and I would come to a stop. I did as he instructed and smoothly landed on my feet! I did it! I flew! We high-fived, and for a second, I had to fight back tears of joy! I really did it, and I couldn’t wait to go again! We each had five jumps, and some were better than others. My legs got tired, making it harder to run fast at launch, especially when the wind died a little later. Still, it was a blast and far exceeded my expectations!
What’s Next
Aside from the introduction to hang-gliding that I experienced, Kitty Hawk Kites also offers a Hang 1 Training Package that includes more lessons and everything you need to fly high and alone. They also provide a wide range of other fun adventures, like a land tour to see wild horses on the north side of the island, surfing lessons, parasailing, kiteboarding, SUP, kayaking, and lots more! They also have a variety of colorful quality kites, outdoor clothing, and souvenirs. Kitty Hawk Kites is the premier destination for everything FUN on the Outer Banks!
For me, it wasn’t just the act of crossing another thing off of my bucket list. I’ve gone skydiving, scuba diving, white water rafting, and bungee jumping, but this felt different for some reason. In a time when it’s hard to find something to look forward to and when the opportunity for adventure is minimal, it was an activity that made me feel alive! Thank you, Kitty hawk Hikes, for being superb hosts and for giving me the thrill of hang-gliding!