Dune Hang Gliding

Age and Weight Restrictions

We teach Beginner Hang Gliding to students as young as 4 years old! Bring the whole family out to fly with us.

Hang gliders are weight shift controlled aircraft, so our teaching methods vary slightly based on the age and weight of the student in the glider. For instance, young and/or light students will have an instructor on each side of the wing to assist with balancing the glider. Our upper weight limit for dune hang gliding is approximately 235 lbs, but also dependent on wind conditions and the students physicality.

For specific questions about weight limits and accessibility, call the hang gliding school directly at (252) 441-2426.

Book Online

Call 1-877-359-8447 to Reserve over the phone.

Price

starting at $139

Beginner Hang Gliding Lessons
  • General Participants - $139 per person
  • Youth Participants (13 and under) - $139 per person
  • Light Flyers (under100 lbs) - $139 per person
Film & Photo Package
  • Package per Person - $39 plus tax
  • Commemorative 4GB USB - $20 plus tax
Additional Lessons & Packages
  • Advanced Lesson - $175
  • Taste of Flight Package - $298
  • Hang 1 Starter Package - $429
  • Hang 1 Lesson Package - $849
  • Unlimited Package - $999

Hang Gliding at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head is an Outer Banks must! Take a Beginner Lesson with us and learn how to fly a Hang Glider on your first lesson. Each lesson is about 3 hours long and includes Ground School and 5 solo training flights. Reserve your spot today!


Dune Hang Gliding lessons are conducted at our training facility in Jockey’s Ridge State Park located at Mile Post 12 in Nags Head, NC. The dunes of Jockey’s Ridge provide the perfect platform for learning to hang glide. They have enough height for beginners, and are soft for landing. Through special arrangement with the State Park Service, we are allowed to conduct hang gliding lessons from these dunes. We have been providing lessons at this site for nearly 50 years.

A typical Beginner Dune Hang Gliding Lesson is 3 hours long and starts with check-in (30 minutes prior to class time). The lesson begins with a ~30 minute ground school to learn the basics of hang gliding. After ground school, your class proceeds to the dunes via a scenic walkway. We launch and land directly into the wind, so the specific dune we will be teaching you on will vary day to day.  You can expect a 10-15 minute walk through sand to get to our destination. Once you have climbed to the the top of the dune (the instructor carries the glider) you begin your solo hang gliding flights. The instructor is there to help. He/she will help you get into the harness, provide any last minute instructions, and help you launch.

You will run into the wind, and depending on the wind conditions (and your weight and skill), you can travel anywhere from 30 to 100+ yards at 5 to 15 feet above the sand. Each trip down the dune is termed a “flight.” The standard beginner lesson includes 5 flights. We’ll help you land on your feet for style points, but rolling in on the large wheels is a safe landing approach as well. Additionally, hang gliders are weight shift controlled aircraft. You can expect your instructor(s) to be more “hands on” with younger and lighter students.

After everyone in the group has finished their flights, we will head back to the school for a brief sign-out process. You will receive a log book and sticker. This is a great time to purchase souvenirs in our gift shop, or order your GoPro Film and Photo Package.

Ground School – $39
Included with all Beginner Dune Lessons
Ground School is a fundamental portion of any Hang Gliding Lesson with Kitty Hawk Kites on the sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park – it is required for every student. If it has been more than a year since your last Ground School, you will be required to take that portion of the lesson again. Ground School includes…hang gliding and state park orientation, hang gliding history, glider control inputs, launching, flying and landing techniques, training film, equipment orientation.

Does anyone in your group have a mobility restriction that will keep them from walking on the sand dunes? If so, the Park may be able to help if you contact them now at 252-441-7132. They require at least 24 hours advanced notice and it’s dependent upon weather and ranger availability.

  • Water – Bring a lot more than you think you’ll need. In the summer, we will NOT let you walk out to the dunes without water. Spectators too! The park has vending machines but we do recommend bringing your own bottle(s). We have a filling station if you need to top off.
  • Sunscreen – If you apply it before the lesson, remember to bring it out on the hill! There is no shade out on the dunes.
  • Eye protection – Even on an overcast day it is still very bright on the dunes. Don’t worry, they won’t fall off during your flight!
  • Comfortable Clothing – You’ll be running for a short distance, so stay comfy.
  • Athletic Clothing – Our harnesses have leg loops which may cause skirts or shorter shorts to ride up when using. Mid-thigh to full pants or leggings, depending on weather, tends to be the most comfortable.
  • Proper Footwear – Walking on the sand barefoot is easiest, but in the summer months it is too hot to do so. We recommend socks and sneakers, or protective sandals that won’t fall off (Tevas, Crocs, etc.). We sell neoprene sand socks in our shop if you did not pack appropriate footwear.
  • Camera – You WILL want pictures! Bring a plastic bag to protect it (and other valuables).
  • Other tips & recommendations:
    • It’s a good idea to dress in layers. You can always peel them off! During the spring & fall it can get chilly out on the dunes–especially when it’s windy. There’s always more wind on the dunes than in the parking lot.
    • Did we mention bring water?
    • Bring a blanket or towel to sit on in between flights
    • Bring something to hold your valuables. Sand can ruin electronics fairly easily–and sometimes rain showers pop up unexpectedly.
    • A small bag or backpack to carry the above items. It’s about a 10 minute walk to get from the school to the flying area, so we do NOT recommend large bags, coolers, etc. Bring only what you can easily carry.

friendsofjockeysridge 450x123 - Dune Hang Gliding

The Friends of Jockey’s Ridge is a nonprofit organization established in 1990 for the support and maintenance of programs and the development of facilities of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Their mission is to support, enhance and promote Jockey’s Ridge State Park as a significant geologic feature of the Outer Banks, North Carolina.

From the earliest of times, Jockey’s Ridge has been enjoyed by many natives and visitors to the Outer Banks. It is a unique park due to its geological features and due to its natural movement and change. To help establish the Park an earlier nonprofit organization, called the People to Preserve Jockeys Ridge, was formed in the early 1970’s at a time when the dune was threatened with development for houses. As a result of their efforts, Jockey’s Ridge became a State Park in 1975. Today the park is enjoyed and supported by more than 1 million annual visitors.

Join the Friends of Jockey’s Ridge and support the organization!

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