Getting Wings to Fly Across the Sky

If you drive along the ocean or happen to be at Elings Park in Santa Barbara, you’ve probably noticed people flying through the air.

“Paragliding is the easiest way to fly as a human being,” said Rob Sporrer, an award winning paragliding instructor for Eagle Paragliding in Santa Barbara.

It’s a sport catching the attention of people all over the world and right here in Santa Barbara.

“We’re planning on going on a paragliding date!” said Seth Bourn, visiting from Ventura and taking a lesson with his girlfriend, Jackie Neville. “It was a year ago this weekend I wrecked my motorcycle and I broke my femur. So this is the one year anniversary from recovering from my motorcycling accident and one year since we were officially dating,” Bourn said.

Our own First Alert Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo joined the lovebirds and a 12-year-old to learn from some of the top instructors in the world what it’s like to have wings.

“I learned from a local legend named Tom Truax,” Sporrer said. “And he had me come on and start teaching with him and next thing you know, I was out here teaching so I was out here teaching for 18 years.”

But before they could take the leap, they had to start with the basics.

“Your instructor might run over there and you need to follow them wherever they go,” said Sporrer.

“I’m really excited,” said Garofalo. “I’m nervous, I’m terrified but I’m also thinking this is going to be so cool.”

The learning process included taking test runs first on the ground and learning how to manuever, which is like using a steering wheel to make turns.

When the wind is just right, Sporrer gave students a pep talk before going airborne.

“So here we are, we’re facing this direction and we’re going to get on our final approach, fly straight,” Sporrer explained.

“In just a few minutes, I’m going to have the best view in Santa Barbara using this thing to fly from here, all the way down to the bottom of the hill,” Garofalo said while preparing for launch.

For some, the first time flight was a little scary.

“It does take a little bit of balls,” said Neville. “A little bit of guts.”

For others, it’s just hanging around.

“Most people who see it just can’t believe it once they come to the park or how easy it is,” Sporrer said.

“I can’t believe I was flying!” Garofalo said. “That was the best part, I can’t believe I was flying like a bird! And when I was up there, I wasn’t terrified anymore. It felt natural and just had some wings.”

“10 out of 10,” Neville said. “It’s fun. But I’m feeling a little nervous right now. I needed to take a little break.”