Fantastic! I went to Elings Park and found the paragliders flying around on the bluffs overlooking the ocean. What a sight!!! After talking with an instructor from Fly Above All Paragliding, I decided to take a lesson. The next day, I was treated to one of the best days of my life! The USHPA certified instructors from Fly Above All were there on time, and we got started on the simulator. After a very short time, we set off for the bottom of the hill, where I could get my first runs with the glider without the possibility of flying away. This was very reassuring, as I was kind of a big chicken! After two runs (called inflations), I moved further up the hill and had my first flight on a paraglider! It was short, just skimming above the ground, but I could feel the control of the glider and not be afraid since I was only a few feet off the ground. Once I had the knack of the controls and could listen to my instructor on the radio, we decided that it was time to graduate to the top of the hill. My next flight is something I will never forget - I did it all myself with the instructor's voice in my ear on the radio. I launched from the top of the 200 foot hill, did a few turns, and landed gently with a flare in the large open field below! I looked up and realized that we live in an amazing time. To be able to take a piece of cloth out of a backpack and fly away on it, wow. DaVinci would have done this, for sure! read more

My husband and I got our paragliding licenses in BC shortly before going to Santa Barbara to visit family. Thus we had some experience and training, but were still pretty green -- green enough that we wanted a bit more instruction. We found Chris to be very knowledgeable and professional. We are planning another family trip to Santa Barbara and plan to do more training with Chris. Regarding the negative review's concern about SIGN THIS SAYING YOU MIGHT DIE, that's kind of just how the sport is. It is a sport with some risks in a litigious country, so everyone has to sign it. Regarding the negative review's concern about how casual everything was, that's also common in the sport. Regarding the location, if it was at Elings Park (where we were), our little Mazda 3 got up to the upper lot just fine (and it's a park, meaning that Fly Above All isn't responsible for potholes). Note: you are SO LUCKY in Santa Barbara to have the Elings Park hill! We learned on a 30-foot hill, which isn't tall enough to have a "complete" flight, AND you have to walk up the hill carrying all your gear in order to launch again. At Elings Park, it's a big enough hill to get a complete flight: launch AND get into your harness AND turn a few times AND get out of your harness and land. And then you get a RIDE back up to the top! Sweet!! read more

I decided to buy a lightweight harness for kiting and ridge soaring. I specifically wanted a reversible harness with a full airbag and without a reserve compartment. I also wanted to be able to sit in the harness, fly it from the training hill and be sure it would hold my full-sized glider before buying it. My online search found two comparable harnesses: the UP Alpine and the Gin Switch. I first contacted the UP distributor and asked to demo a UP Alpine. The distributor had no Alpines in stock and never offered to order one to demo. Instead, he tried to convince me to choose from the harnesses they had in stock, none of which had all the features I was looking for. Then I contacted the Gin distributor, Chris Grantham of Fly Above All. With no guarantee that I would buy it, or even like it, Chris ordered a brand new Gin Switch for me. I was able to demo it within the week. Now THAT'S what I call service! I really appreciate the fact that Chris listened to my request and took the initiative to order a demo harness with no guarantee that I would like it. He generously allowed me to keep it and fly it for as long as it took for me to decide whether I liked it or not. Thank you Chris, for taking the time to hear my request and helping me find the harness I was looking for. I love my new Gin Switch! read more

Deciding which paragliding school to sign up with was an EXTREMELY difficult decision. This was my 2nd time taking classes b/c my first school wasn't a good fit and I thought I was done with the sport. I came to Chris very nervous and would only commit to 1 day at a time. I still can't believe how lucky I was to find Fly Above All, as Chris WAY exceeded my expectations. He was organized and professional, and taught in a way that spoke PERFECTLY to my learning style. He uses a lot of analogies, repetition and teaches in a such a calm way. I've seen many other instructors in action and can honestly say that he is the best. I even got to see how the other school in the area runs, and I am certain that that school would not have been a good fit for me. Chris owns his business and he is the one up there running it everyday. His instruction is consistent and he works from morning to evening to make sure that you get good practice. He is also VERY safety conscious and takes his students to much safer sights. Even though I did the work, I would NEVER have completed this certification without Chris. As an extra bonus, Chris spent a lot of extra time sharing with me his contacts and his favorite flying sites that I might be interested in. read more

I started with a tandem paragliding flight at Bates soaring the ridge with Fly Above All's owner and lead teacher, Chris Grantham. It was amazing! After a few months my partner, a co-worker and I signed up to get our P2 licensing so that we can travel and fly on our own. We spent about 10 days in Santa Barbara learning how to fly! Chris must be the most patient, knowledgable and honest instructor in the world. My boyfriend loves to buy all "the best" gear and can sometimes get ahead of himself and spend too much money- Chris sat down with him and went over what he needed, but also told him what he didn't need-even though he would have made thousands more. The P2 licensing went brilliantly and we have been flying for a few years now. Chris sells quite a few brands but put us into Ozone Gliders and SUPair harnesses to start-which was perfect! My boyfriend just picked up an Advance Lightness 3 and I love the comfort of the Success 5 Advance Paragliding Harness and so that's my next purchase! We continue to buy gear from Fly Above All and come back to fly with Chris every time we are in town. I can't say enough great things about Chris and Fly Above All! read more

5 years ago and friend and I signed up for a one day lesson- the winds weren't cooperating and we only got 1/2 a day of lessons instead of a full day. Chad offered to let us come back the next day and get the rest of our lesson, but I wasn't excited about another trip back and forth from L.A.. After checking with his wife, Chad invited us to dinner and to stay in his guest bedroom. We took him up on the offer and had a great night watching flying videos at his house. We also had an awesome second day at the training hill. It was such an amazing experience, I signed on to get my P2 certification. Chad's patient instruction and intense focus on safety was instrumental in my progression as a student. This sport requires instructors to posess these two elements first and foremost and you simply won't find it better in any other instructor. Chad also helped me to find affordable and reliable equipment when the time came. I have such confidence in Chad and his crew at Fly Above All that I have since taken several friends there to fly. read more

I signed up for a one-day introductory paragliding course for myself and two teenage boys as we traveled through California on vacation. We arrived at the hill at the agreed upon time, and Chris and his team were already set up and ready to go. As a licensed pilot, I was at least aware of the principles of flight, and safety. Chris and his associate instructors took the time to get us properly fitted into the gear, explain how paragliders fly, and took us step by step from little flights, all the way to the top of the hill for long solo flights. Everyone stayed late into the day and it was the adventure of a lifetime for the boys. Paragliding is an adventure sport, requiring some effort by the participant and cooperation of the weather. Try a tandem flight if you want a tour. Do the one-day like we did to see if you like it, and sign up for the whole course with Fly Above All if you want to get certified. We only wish that we could have stayed in California longer so that we could have taken the certification course! read more

I learned to Paraglide with Fly Above All and have only good things to say about them. Firstly the location just cannot be improved - consistent weather, wonderful views and Santa Barbara on the doorstep. Great for both the pilot and guest, who can either enjoy watching the flying and the spectacular views or slip down to the parks, beaches or into town. Chad and his crew do a wonderful job of balancing fun, safety and speedy learning. I found them honest and very easy to deal with. Chad is always available to consult on gear and further training - but never pushes these issues, and goes above and beyond what is paid for to make sure you both enjoy and become a safe pilot. Since I did my initial training I have flown in various places in the US and also Nepal, Turkey and Switzerland. I don't believe I have come across a more enthusiastic and better teacher than Chad - and recommend both him and his team without reservation. Just do it - you'll be in good hands. read more

I bought my first trike and trike lessons from Chad. I could only afford used at the time and there was no pressure to buy lots of expensive gear. The lessons were personal, very helpful and made sure I was safe and competent before I went solo. Chad is not only a friendly and excellent instructor he also adds the personal touch and provides students with videos of their flights and answers e-mails when you have follow on questions about equipment or techniques. I was in the market for a new trike and motor this year and wouldn't buy from anyone else. Fly Above All provide the sort of service and customer support that I expect and I purchased from them again. I am very pleased with my purchases and the helpful follow up by e-mail. Chad Bastian is a great instructor and in my opinio a professional provider of flying gear. Thanks Chad. read more

I completed my P2 certification with Fly Above All, and also purchased all of my gear from them afterwards. The instruction I received was very personal, pertinent, and thorough. Any questions I had either email or personally have always been quickly responded to. Upon returning to Santa Barbara several years later I was graciously invited to tag along with the class to local fly sites. Both Eagle and Fly Above All use the same training site. Both are good programs (both use the same amazing site!). Eagle has a larger volume of students though, so it's possible you'll be training with more students and be in a larger group. Both companies do a good job of keeping group size small though. The previous reviewer's negative experience does not even remotely reflect my own. Thank you Fly Above All and hope to back there soon! read more

I started paragliding around 1990 in San Francisco taking lessons one or two days a year during lean student times. When I was finally ready to take a couple of weeks off and do the P2 rating I flew down to Santa Barbara and lived out of a Motel 6 specifically to do it with Fly Above All. Great weather, great instruction, bought all new gear with total confidence and later returned for a thermal clinic and a used reserve. I fly a bunch of different things and have had over a dozen flight instructors in various aircraft. Chad is one of the very best pilots and instructors I have met and the whole Fly Above All team really knows how to take care of business. These are the folks to put your time and trust with for paragliders, PPG's, speedwings and whatever comes next. read more

Fly Above All has the most professional, caring, and consumer oriented staff I have ever been exposed to. Chad Bastain and his associates stay involved in every aspect of the SB Community. They trained me in both paragliding and power paragliding and I feel confident in that training and would recommend them wholeheartedly. This isn't just a local business, they are recognized nationally and internationally as a first class operation. USHPA (United States Hang gliding & Paragliding Assoc.) has certified all of their instructors, and they follow the full letter of the law, while training. They always, always, welcome past students back for refresher and upgrade training. Once a Fly Above All Student, always a friend. K.S. read more

Awesome experience! I completed my basic training ("P2") in about ten days with Fly Above All. After struggling elsewhere with the normal stuff, less than flyable weather, other instructors who were part timer's, etc. I packed a bag and flew down to Santa Barbara from San Francisco specifically to train with Fly Above All. I've also driven down just to attend a thermal flying clinic for a few days and have no doubt I'll be back. This may be the best instruction available anywhere, it definitely is great weather, a great spot and great people! Buy your gear here too, they'll match the right stuff for your skills and interests and get it to you problem free. read more

Great school for paragliding lessons! I have been flying on the Training Hill for over 12 years and get to see Fly Above All in action just about every weekend. Besides being just fun people to be around (with Chad, the owner, hands down the best pilot on the hill - just amazing to watch!) they are very focused on your safety and being sure that you are well prepared to fly on your own once they sign you off. Plus the support they continue to provide well after your lessons are officially over is quite exceptional. I highly recommended them for either full on lessons or just a day of tandem flying on the Hill, at Wilcox or the mountains! read more

My instructor was Bruce. He was thorough, patient, and took me from a land-locked newbie to a true flier in the matter of a few lessons. I drove all the way from San Diego several times to attend the Santa Barbara school because of their great hill, the excellent, systematic instruction, and the staff. In all the time I spent learning from him Chad never once pushed sales, or equipment, but he was right there with knowledgeable answers and excellent guidance when I asked. What impressed me the most was the way everyone on the staff treated the students. What a blast! Thanks Bruce, you are a tremendous instructor. read more

I am getting lessons now from Fly Above All, planning to be able to get fully certified for a long paragliding career. I am very happy with my experience so far. Chris G. has treated me wih huge amounts of respect and encouragement. He seems to know right where I'm at in progression, and gives theoretical and practical instruction consistently. His calm demeanor (and absense of feeling judged) puts me in a state of mind to think about the many details of learning to fly.... to stay calm and fly on. Thank you Fly Above All for showing me that I can do it. Paragliding is immensly FUN! read more

My wife and I went to Santa Barbara from CT for my wife's initial paragliding training. We returned after our initial visit to continue her lessons. Chad, Bruce and everyone involved are excellent instructors, no matter how much personal time a student needs, they will take the time. I was there already a P2, and they took the time with me to give me pointers and were not hesitant to help out, for free, just because I was there with my wife. Excellent training site, excellent instructors. I highly recommend them to anyone planning on taking paragliding lessons in Santa Barbara. read more

I completed the full P2 Novice Pilot course with Fly Above All. Very friendly, professional and available for the class when I have a chance to come to Santa Barbara. Attention to details is amazing. The main goal is to make you a safe pilot ready for the extended mountain flights and enjoying the sports. I started back in September and was signed off at the end of January. That's a lot of time that instructors had to spend with me on the training hill ! I don't know how they can do this... Thank you Bruce, Chad, Bob, Jim, and Doug read more

After researching paragliding schools I decided to travel from Connecticut to California to fly with the best. I chose Fly Above All for their expertise, and small classes. Chad and Bruce were patient explaining things over and over to me. I wasn't able to finish on the first trip and my second visit they provided me with the same personal attention and time as my first visit. They helped me buy my equipment and let me progress as my skills advanced. I would highly recommend them to anyone learning to paraglide Leslie B read more