Paragliding & Relaxing in Manhattan Beach -- A California Dream

Paragliding in Malibu -- Southern California evokes vision of miles of beach, volleyball games on the sand, surfing, swimming, strolling on the Manhattan Beach Pier, rollerblading, or biking. Or ambling on The Strand, a 27-mile or so pathway along the Pacific Ocean, passing beachfront communities like Redondo, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Venice, Malibu. I heard about a paragliding experience in Malibu during a recent visit to my son, who lives in Manhattan Beach. For a change of pace, I thought it would be a nifty experience. But then sanity prevailed -- I let Jake paraglide while I relaxed. So one sunny, dry California day, off he soared, and reported on his exciting skyward adventure. Jacob took a tandem flight. “ Tandem flight is a good way to find out if this sport is right for you. An introductory tandem flight lets you fly the mountains right away without having to spend days preparing at the training hill,” according to the website.
“Derrick (a friend) drove up with me to Malibu to watch some paragliding lessons from Uptimal. At the end of the afternoon, we drove out to Calabasas where I was treated to a short tandem paraglide. Lots of funs, I only wish we had soared longer,” Jacob reported afterwards.
Uptimal runs the paragliding school and powered paragliding school in Ojai and Malibu. They also offer tandem rides and gift certificates. Their website proclaims, “Soar with the hawks in warm thermal air currents. Or fly the cool ocean breeze in Malibu.
Tandem flights are the easiest and safest way to experience the thrill of soaring explains Claude Fiset, owner and instructor.
After a 10 minute briefing, the flight usually last between 20 minutes and 1 hour depending on weather conditions. Pilots have thousands of tandem flights under their belt. Anyone under 265 pounds can fly tandem, no experience necessary.
Most flights end on a sandy beach or open fields. The following clothing is recommended:
*Running shoes OK but hiking boots are preferable. • Sturdy pant, shorts are
OK but hiking boots are preferable. • Sturdy pant, shorts are OK on some sites. • Windbreaker. • Gloves between November and April.
Jacob brought his digital camera and took photos. I think it’s astonishing to be able to focus on a first ride, but he did it. “There was room for a small day pack, and snacks are ok if we're expecting a long flight,” said Jake. The school provides a helmet.
For information or reservations: 805-646-9660, or email Claude at claude@uptimal.com. Or checkout the website at www.uptimal.com/.
On the ground, Manhattan Beach offers a wonderful spot on the Pacific Ocean so whenever I visit my son, it’s a vacation, too, for me. One of my favorite restaurants is Pancho’s Rerstaurante and Cantina, at 3615 Highland Ave., 310-545-6670. I enjoy breakfasts and lunch deluxe at the Local Yolk, on Manhattan Avenue, just a few blocks from my son’s cottage. Uncle Bill's Pancake House has an outdoor dining area and view of the ocean, 1305 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach. Beaches fronts on the Pier and ocean, and has a downstairs bar with a view, too, at 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd, 310/545-2523. The food and service is excellent and no one gets rushed. Rockin' Fish is just across the Boulevard and has fantastic fish plus rock music. Up the street are a string of inexpensive sushi bars and the like. The area is teeming with terrific restaurants, so look at the Manhattan Beach chamber website, or just wander down to the shopping area around the pier.
My favorite hotel in the area is the Sea View Inn, and a new Marriott Hotel is almost finished, right on the Strand. For a great experience, fans of Jay Leno should make reservations about a month in advance, to see the Magic and Comedy Club featuring Jay Leno (on Sunday nights) in Hermosa Beach. Dinner, drinks and gently slings from Leno offer a clean nightclub act, good for grandparents, parents and kids of all ages.